How to Fix Nvcpl.dll Not Found or Missing Errors

If System Restore doesn't help, try reinstalling the program that made the error

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

The nvcpl.dll file is used as a Control Panel applet for NVIDIA software. Opening this applet in Control Panel lets you manage your NVIDIA hardware settings.

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

Nvcpl.dll Errors

There are several ways nvcpl.dll errors can show up on your computer. Here are some of the more common messages you might see:

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

Nvcpl.dll error messages might appear while using or installing certain programs, when Windows starts or shuts down, or even during a Windows installation.

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

These errors could be seen in Windows 11, Windows 10Windows 8Windows 7Windows VistaWindows XP, and Windows 2000.

How to Fix Nvcpl.dll Errors

Do not download nvcpl.dll from a "DLL download" website. There are many reasons why downloading a DLL file is a bad idea. If you need a copy of this file, it's best to obtain it from its original, legitimate source.

Follow these steps in the order they're presented here, from easier-to-solve solutions to more difficult ones:

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

    If you suspect that you've accidentally deleted nvcpl.dll, but you've already emptied the Recycle Bin, you may be able to recover the file with a free file recovery program. (Just make sure it was you who deleted the file, not your AV program, or it could be a virus.)

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

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

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

    Since the nvcpl.dll file is related to NVIDIA, you might consider updating the video card drivers even if you don't see a specific error related to a graphics program.

    You might even try rolling back the video card driver if updating it doesn't work.

  4. Reinstall the program that uses the nvcpl.dll file. If the nvcpl.dll DLL 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 the nvcpl.dll file, if possible, is a likely solution to this DLL error.

  5. Run a virus/malware scan of your entire system. Some nvcpl.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 nvcpl.dll error you're seeing is related to a hostile program that's masquerading as the file.

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

  7. 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 nvcpl.dll file could be included in one of those updates.

  8. 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 nvcpl.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.

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

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

    We rarely recommend the use of registry cleaners. We've included the option here as a "last resort" attempt before the destructive step coming up next.

  11. 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 nvcpl.dll 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 nvcpl.dll error using a troubleshooting step prior to this one.

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

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