How to Fix Mfc42.dll Not Found or Missing Errors

Mfc42.dll errors are caused by situations that lead to the removal or corruption of the mfc42 DLL file. In some cases, mfc42.dll errors could indicate a registry problem, a virus or malware issue, or even a hardware failure.

This file is the base file of the Microsoft Foundation Class Library.

Mfc42.dll Errors

There are several ways mfc42.dll errors can show up on your computer. Here are some examples:

• Mfc42.dll Not Found
• This application failed to start because mfc42.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem
• Cannot find [PATH]\mfc42.dll
• The file mfc42.dll is missing
• Cannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: mfc42.dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again
• Faulting module mfc42.dll

These errors might appear while using or installing certain programs, or when Windows first starts or shuts down.

The context of the mfc42.dll error is an important piece of information that will be helpful while solving the problem.

How to Fix Mfc42.dll Errors

Follow these steps in the order they're listed below to try the more likely fixes first.

1. Restore mfc42.dll from the Recycle Bin. The easiest possible cause of a "missing" mfc42.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 the file with a free file recovery program.

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

2. Run the sfc/ scannow System File Checker command to replace a missing or corrupt copy of the mfc42.dll file. Since this DLL file is provided by Microsoft, the System File Checker tool should restore it.

   Try your best to complete this step. Obtaining the file from within Windows, if possible, is a likely solution to this error.

3. 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 mfc42.dll file could be included in one of those updates.

4. Run a virus/malware scan of your entire system. Some mfc42.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.

5. 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.

6. Reinstall the program that uses the mfc42.dll file. If the mfc42.dll DLL error occurs when you use a particular program, reinstalling the program might replace the file if it's missing, or reassociate it with the DLL file if it isn't missing.

7. Update the drivers for hardware devices that might be related to mfc42.dll. If, for example, you're receiving a "The file mfc42.dll is missing" error when you play a 3D video game, try updating the drivers for your video card.

   The mfc42.dll file may or may not be related to video cards—this was just an example. The key here is to pay very close attention to the context of the error and troubleshoot accordingly.

8. Roll back a driver to a previously installed version if mfc42.dll errors began after updating a particular hardware device's driver.

9. Test your memory and then test your hard drive. We'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 mfc42.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.

10. 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.

11. Use a free registry cleaner to repair mfc42.dll related issues in the registry. A free registry cleaner program may be able to help by removing invalid mfc42.dll registry entries that might be causing the DLL error.

    We rarely recommend the use of registry cleaners (see why in our Registry Cleaners FAQ). We've included the option here as a "last resort" attempt before the destructive step coming up next.

12. If you're getting the mfc42.dll error on Ubuntu, add the Wine PPA using these commands in a terminal window.

    A few other solutions for Ubuntu users are available at Ask Ubuntu if you need them.

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 mfc42.dll error, this should be your next course of action.

    All the information on your hard drive will be erased during this step. Make sure you've made the best attempt possible to fix the mfc42.dll error using a troubleshooting step prior to performing a clean installation.

14. Troubleshoot for a hardware problem if any mfc42.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 DLL 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.