How to Fix Mss32.dll Not Found or Missing Errors

Mss32.dll errors are caused by situations that lead to the removal or corruption of the mss32 DLL file, a Miles Sound System DLL file that some software programs and video games use to load sound files.

In some cases, mss32.dll errors could indicate a registry problem, a virus or malware issue, or even a hardware failure, but chances are the file is just corrupt or missing.

Mss32.dll Error Messages

The error message is most likely to occur while using or installing certain programs or games. Here are some examples of the more common mss32.dll error messages:

• Mss32.dll Not Found
• This application failed to start because mss32.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.
• Cannot find [PATH]\mss32.dll
• The file mss32.dll is missing.
• Cannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: mss32.dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again.
  

How to Fix Mss32.dll Errors

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

1. Restore mss32.dll from the Recycle Bin. The easiest possible cause of a "missing" mss32.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. But only do this if you're sure you deleted the file yourself and that it was working properly before that.

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

2. Reinstall the program that uses the mss32.dll file. If the error occurs when you use a particular program, reinstalling the program should replace the file.

   Steam is a common application that experiences mss32.dll errors, so if that's the program you're seeing the DLL error in, reinstalling Steam may prove to be very helpful.

   Try your best to complete this step. Reinstalling the program that provides the mss32.dll file, if possible, is a likely solution to this DLL error.

3. Verify the integrity of the Steam game cache. This step is clearly only applicable if your mss32.dll errors are related to a Steam game.

   If this step doesn't clear the error, navigate to the folder on your computer that the game files are stored in, delete the "bin" folder, and then re-verify the game cache. Follow these instructions from Steam Community (that's an archived version of the page) for more specific steps on doing that.

4. Run a virus/malware scan of your entire system. Some mss32.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. Update the drivers for hardware devices that might be related to this DLL file. If, for example, you're receiving a "The file mss32.dll is missing" error when you play a video game, try updating the drivers for your sound card.

   The mss32.dll file may or may not be related to your sound card drivers or software installation—this was just an example. The key here is to pay very close attention to the context of the error and troubleshoot accordingly.

6. Roll back a driver to a previously installed version if mss32.dll errors began after updating a particular hardware device's driver.

7. 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.

8. Troubleshoot for a hardware problem if any mss32.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.