How to Fix Secur32.dll Not Found or Missing Errors

If System File Checker doesn't fix the error, apply any missing Windows updates

Secur32.dll errors are caused by situations that lead to the removal or corruption of the secur32 DLL file. In some cases, secur32.dll errors could indicate a registry problem, a virus or malware issue, or even a hardware failure.

The secur32.dll error message could apply to any program or system that might utilize the file on any of Microsoft's operating systems, including Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000.

Secur32.dll Errors

secur32 DLL error message in Windows

There are several ways secur32.dll errors can show up on your computer. Here are some of the more common messages you might see:

  • Secur32.dll Not Found
  • This application failed to start because secur32.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem
  • Cannot find [PATH]\secur32.dll
  • The file secur32.dll is missing
  • Cannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: secur32.dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again

These error messages are most likely to occur while using or installing certain programs.

The context of the secur32.dll error is an important piece of information that will be helpful while solving the problem.

How to Fix Secur32.dll Errors

Do not download secur32.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 Microsoft's, who's the original, legitimate source.

  1. Restore secur32.dll from the Recycle Bin. The easiest possible cause of a "missing" secur32.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 recovery the file with a free file recovery program. Just make sure to do this only if the file was working fine before you deleted it (i.e., it wasn't corrupted or malicious).

    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 a virus/malware scan of your entire system. Some secur32.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.

  3. Use System Restore to undo recent system changes. If you suspect that the secur32.dll error was caused by a change made to an important file or configuration, System Restore could solve the problem.

  4. Run the sfc/scannow System File Checker command to replace a missing or corrupt copy of the secur32.dll file. Since this DLL file is provided b​y Microsoft, at least in some versions of Windows, the System File Checker tool should restore it.

    sfc scannow command in Windows 11 terminal

    Try your best to complete this step. Replacing the secur32.dll file with this tool, if possible, is a likely solution to this DLL error.

  5. 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 secur32.dll file, or a file it depends on, could be included in one of those updates.

  6. Reinstall the program that uses the secur32.dll file. If the secur32.dll DLL error occurs when you use a particular program, reinstalling the program should replace the file.

  7. Update the drivers for hardware devices that might be related to secur32.dll. If, for example, you're receiving a "The file secur32.dll is missing" error when you play a 3D video game, try updating the drivers for your video card.

    The secur32.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 secur32.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 secur32.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 secur32.dll file 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 secur32.dll related issues in the registry. A free registry cleaner program may be able to help by removing invalid secur32.dll registry entries that might be causing the DLL error.

    We've included the option here as a "last resort" attempt before the destructive step coming up next, but please know that we rarely recommend the use of registry cleaners because only really specific issues can be resolved with one. See our Registry Cleaners FAQ for more information.

  12. 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 secur32.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 secur32.dll error using a troubleshooting step prior to this one.

  13. Troubleshoot for a hardware problem if any secur32.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.

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