How to Fix Iphlpapi.dll Not Found or Missing Errors

Iphlpapi.dll errors are caused by situations that lead to the removal or corruption of the iphlpapi DLL file.

In some cases, these errors could indicate a registry problem, a virus or malware issue, or even a hardware failure.

This DLL file name stands for IP helper application programming interface. You can read more about the IP Helper technology on Microsoft's website.

Iphlpapi.dll Errors

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

• Iphlpapi.dll Not Found
• This application failed to start because iphlpapi.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.
• Cannot find [PATH]\iphlpapi.dll
• Iphlpapi.dll Cannot Start
• The file iphlpapi.dll is missing.
• Cannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: iphlpapi.dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again.

These error messages might appear while using or installing certain programs, when Windows starts or shuts down, or maybe even during a Windows installation. They might also be associated with an internet-related issue, such as the inability to visit a web page in your browser.

The error is also known to show up while trying to play certain video games, such as PAYDAY: The Heist.

The context of the error is an important piece of information that will be helpful while solving the problem.

How to Fix Iphlpapi.dll Errors

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

1. Restore iphlpapi.dll from the Recycle Bin. The easiest possible cause of a "missing" iphlpapi.dll file is that you've mistakenly deleted it.

   If you suspect this, but you've already emptied the Recycle Bin, you may be able to recover it with a free file recovery program.

   Start Windows in Safe Mode to complete this step, or any of these steps, if you're unable to access Windows normally due to the error.

2. Reinstall the program that uses the iphlpapi.dll file. If the error occurs when you use a particular program, reinstalling the program should replace the file.

   Try your best to complete this step. Reinstalling the program that provides this DLL file, if possible, is a likely solution to the error.

3. If the error is seen when playing a Steam game, try renaming the iphlpapi.dll file to something else to force the game to use an updated version of the file.

   To do this, go into the installation folder for the game and rename the file to something else, like iphlpapi_old.dll. This will stop the game from using that specific DLL file; it will instead revert to a newer version included with Windows.

   This step is only useful if the game is old enough that it's using an outdated version of this file. If you can't find the file, search for it with Everything.

   You might also validate the Steam cache. This has worked for some users.

4. Update the drivers for hardware devices that might be related to the file.

   If, for example, you're receiving a "The file iphlpapi.dll is missing" or "iphlpapi.dll file cannot start" error when you're using the internet, try updating the drivers for your network card.

5. Roll back a driver to a previously installed version if iphlpapi.dll errors began after updating a particular hardware device's driver.

6. Install any available Windows updates. Many service packs and other patches replace or update some of the hundreds of Microsoft distributed DLL files on your computer. The iphlpapi.dll file could be included in one of those updates.

7. Run a virus/malware scan of your entire system. Some errors could be related to a virus or other malware infection on your computer that has damaged the DLL file. It's even possible that the error you're seeing is related to a hostile program that's masquerading as the file.

8. Use System Restore to undo recent system changes. If you suspect the error was caused by a change made to an important file or configuration, System Restore could solve the problem.

9. Run the sfc /scannow System File Checker command to replace a missing or corrupt copy of the iphlpapi.dll file. If this DLL file is provided by Microsoft, System File Checker should restore it.

10. Test your memory and then test your hard drive. The majority of hardware troubleshooting has been left to the last step, but your computer's memory and hard drive are easy to test and are the most likely components that might cause iphlpapi.dll errors as they fail.

    If the hardware fails any of your tests, replace the memory or replace the hard drive as soon as possible.

11. Repair your installation of Windows. If the individual iphlpapi.dll file troubleshooting advice above is unsuccessful, performing a startup repair or repair installation should restore all Windows DLL files to their working versions.

12. Use a free registry cleaner to repair related issues in the registry. A free registry cleaner program may be able to help by removing invalid iphlpapi.dll registry entries that might be causing the DLL error.

    We rarely recommend the use of registry cleaners, but this step is included here as a "last resort" attempt before the destructive step coming up next.

13. Perform a clean installation of Windows. This will erase everything from the hard drive and install a fresh copy of Windows. If none of the steps above correct the iphlpapi.dll error, this should be your next course of action.

    All the information on your hard drive will be erased during a clean installation. Make sure you've made the best attempt possible to fix the error using a troubleshooting step prior to this one.

14. Troubleshoot for a hardware problem if any iphlpapi.dll errors persist. After a clean Windows installation, your DLL problem can only be hardware related.