How to Fix Dinput8.dll Not Found or Missing Errors

If installing DirectX doesn't fix the error, reinstall the program or game producing the error

By
Tim Fisher
Photo of Tim Fisher, Lifewire GM and Writer
Tim Fisher
Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability
  • Emporia State University
Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the SVP and General Manager of Lifewire.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Updated on February 13, 2023

Dinput8.dll issues are caused in one way or another by an issue with Microsoft DirectX.

The dinput8.dll file is one of many files contained in the DirectX software collection. Since DirectX is utilized by most Windows-based games and advanced graphics programs, dinput8.dll errors usually show up only when using these programs.

Any of Microsoft's operating systems since Windows 98 may be affected by dinput8.dll and other DirectX issues. This includes​ Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000.

Dinput8.dll Errors

Dinput8 DLL error message

There are several ways dinput8.dll errors can show up on your computer. Here are some of the more common ones:

  • The file dinput8.dll is missing
  • Dinput8.DLL Not Found
  • File dinput8.dll not found
  • Dinput8.dll not found. Reinstalling might help fix this.

The dinput8.dll error message could apply to any program that utilizes Microsoft DirectX, but these DLL messages are most commonly associated with video games. Some examples include Red Dead Redemption, League of Legends, Dark Souls, and Grand Theft Auto.

How to Fix dinput8.dll Errors

Follow these steps in the order they're given below to try the simpler solutions first.

Don't download the dinput8 DLL file individually from any "DLL download site." There are a number of reasons why downloading DLLs like that is never a good idea. If you've already done so, remove it from wherever you put it and continue with these steps.

  1. Restart your computer if you haven't already. The dinput8.dll error might be a fluke and a simple restart could clear it up completely.

  2. Install the latest version of Microsoft DirectX. Chances are, upgrading to the latest version will fix the dinput8.dll not found error.

    Microsoft often releases updates without updating the version number or letter, so be sure to install the latest release even if your version is technically the same.

    Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, etc. are all supported by this same DirectX installation package. It will install any DirectX file needed and supported in that version of Windows.

  3. Assuming the latest DirectX version from Microsoft doesn't fix the dinput8.dll error you're receiving, look for a DirectX installation program on your game or application CD or DVD.

    Usually, if a game or another program utilizes DirectX, the software developers will include a copy of it on the installation disc. Sometimes, though not often, the version included on the disc is a better fit for the program than the latest version available online.

  4. Uninstall the game or software program and then reinstall it again. Something might have happened to the program files that work with dinput8.dll and a reinstall could do the trick.

  5. Restore the dinput8.dll file from the latest DirectX software package. If the above troubleshooting steps haven't worked to solve your error, try extracting the dinput8.dll individually from the DirectX downloadable package.

  6. Update the drivers for your video card. While it's not the most common solution, in some situations, updating the drivers for the video card in your computer could correct this DirectX issue.

Need More Help?

If you're not interested in fixing this problem yourself, see How Do I Get My Computer Fixed? for a full list of your support options, plus help with everything along the way like figuring out repair costs, getting your files off, choosing a repair service, and a lot more.

Was this page helpful?