How to Fix Mfc100u.dll Not Found or Missing Errors

Mfc100u.dll errors are caused by situations that lead to the removal or corruption of the mfc100u DLL file, an important part of the Visual C++ runtime library supplied by Microsoft.

In some cases, mfc100u.dll errors could indicate a registry problem, a virus or malware issue, or even a hardware failure, but those possibilities are unlikely.

Mfc100u.dll Errors

There are several ways mfc100u.dll errors can show up on your computer. Here are some examples of the more common ones:

• Mfc100u.dll Not Found
• This application failed to start because mfc100u.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.
• Cannot find [PATH]\mfc100u.dll
• The file mfc100u.dll is missing.
• Cannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: mfc100u.dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again.

These error messages might appear while using or installing certain programs or games. Kenshi and Riders of Icarus are just a couple of examples of video games that have been known to show mfc100u.dll errors.

How to Fix Mfc100u.dll Errors

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

1. Download the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Service Pack 1 Redistributable Package MFC Security Update and run it. This will replace/restore the mfc100u.dll with the most recent copy provided by Microsoft.

   You're given a few download options from Microsoft for this update, based on the version of Windows you have installed—x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit).

   Try your best to complete this step. Applying this update is almost always the solution to mfc100u.dll errors.

2. 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 mfc100u.dll file could be included in one of those updates.

   Update Windows even if you know the DLL file isn't going to be installed with one of the updates. It's possible that a specific update is necessary before the mfc100u DLL file can work properly. In other words, this DLL file might be dependent on another file or set of files that could be included in a Windows update.

3. Restore mfc100u.dll from the Recycle Bin. The easiest possible cause of a "missing" mfc100u.dll file is that you've mistakenly deleted it.

4. Run a virus/malware scan of your entire system. Some mfc100u.dll 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.

   If you find that the DLL file is really a virus or some other malicious program, or was installed along with malware and shouldn't be on your computer, I highly recommend installing an always-on, antivirus program to catch threats like this before they can cause any damage. There are plenty of free AV programs available for Windows.

5. Shut down or uninstall the program that's causing the DLL error. Sometimes, a program will run an unwanted or unnecessary background process that gives this mfc100u DLL error.

   19 Best Free Uninstaller Programs

   For example, Sony's VAIO Update software might run update procedures in the background and inadvertently cause "VUDesktopToast.exe - System Error" related mfc100u.dll errors. Removing the update tool might resolve the issue.

   This step should be followed only if you don't necessarily need the program. If you'd rather keep the program, consider reinstalling the software instead.

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

7. Test your computer's memory and then test the hard drive. I've left the majority of hardware troubleshooting 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 mfc100u.dll errors as they fail.

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

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

9. Use a free registry cleaner to repair mfc100u.dll related issues in the registry. A registry cleaner program may be able to help by removing invalid mfc100u.dll registry entries that might be causing the DLL error.

   I rarely recommend the use of registry cleaners. They are included as an option here as a "last resort" attempt before the destructive step coming up next.

10. 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 error, this should be your next course of action.

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

11. Troubleshoot for a hardware problem if any mfc100u.dll errors persist. After a clean install of Windows, your DLL problem can only be hardware related.

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.