How to Fix Vcomp.dll Not Found or Missing Errors

Installing a security update from Microsoft is the most likely fix, but you can also try reinstalling the program that uses the file

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

Vcomp.dll Errors

vcomp.dll error message in Windows

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

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

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

The context of the vcomp.dll error is an important piece of information that will be helpful while solving the problem. The error message apply to any program or system that might utilize the file on any of Microsoft's OSs, including Windows 11, Windows 10Windows 8Windows 7, etc.

How to Fix Vcomp.dll Errors

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

Do not download vcomp.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.

  1. Download the Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Service Pack 1 Redistributable Package MFC Security Update and run it. This will replace/restore the vcomp.dll with the most recent copy provided by Microsoft.

    You're given a few download options for this update, based on the version of Windows you have installed—x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit). See How to Tell if You Have Windows 64-bit or 32-bit for help if you're not sure what to choose.

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

  2. Restore vcomp.dll from the Recycle Bin. The easiest possible cause of a "missing" vcomp.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.

    Recovering a deleted copy of vcomp.dll with a file recovery program is a smart idea only if you're confident you've deleted the file yourself and that it was working properly before you did that.

  3. Run a virus/malware scan of your entire system. Some vcomp.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.

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

  5. Reinstall the program that's producing the vcomp.dll error. If the vcomp.dll error occurs when you use a particular program, reinstalling that program might help.

  6. 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 vcomp.dll file could be included in one of those updates.

  7. 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 vcomp.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.

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

    We rarely recommend the use of registry cleaners, but we've included the 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 vcomp.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 vcomp.dll error using a troubleshooting step prior to this one.

  11. Troubleshoot for a hardware problem if any vcomp.dll errors persist. After a clean installation 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.

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