How to Fix Xinput1_3.dll Not Found or Missing Errors

These errors relate to Microsoft DirectX

By
Tim Fisher
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Tim Fisher
Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability
  • Emporia State University
Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the SVP and General Manager of Lifewire.
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Updated on February 13, 2022
Reviewed by
Jessica Kormos
Jessica Kormos
Reviewed by Jessica Kormos
  • Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others.
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What to Know

  • Xinput1_3.dll errors indicate a problem with Microsoft DirectX; the xinput1_3 DLL file is contained in that software collection.
  • These errors usually show up only when you run Windows-based games and advanced graphics programs.
  • A system restart can often resolve the error. If that doesn't work, there are five other things you can try.

What Causes xinput1_3.dll Errors?

Xinput1_3.dll Error on Windows 10 desktop

Several of the more common xinput1_3.dll error messages include: 

The file xinput1_3.dll is missing

Xinput1_3.DLL Not Found

File xinput1_3.dll not found

Xinput1_3.dll not found. Reinstalling might help fix this.

Xinput1_3.dll errors usually appear when a game or other software program is started, and it could apply to any program that relies on Microsoft DirectX, though it's most commonly with video games.

Any of Microsoft's operating systems since Windows 98 may be affected by xinput1_3.dll and other DirectX problems.

How to Fix Xinput1_3.dll Errors

Do not download the xinput1_3.dll DLL file individually from any "DLL download site." Downloading DLLs from these sites is never a good idea. If you've already downloaded xinput1_3.dll from one of those DLL download sites, remove it from wherever you put it and continue with these steps.

  1. Restart your computer if you haven't yet.

    The xinput1_3.dll error might be a fluke and a simple restart could clear it up completely.

  2. Install the latest version of Microsoft DirectX. Chances are, upgrading to the latest version of DirectX will fix the xinput1_3.dll not found error.

    Microsoft often releases updates to DirectX without updating the version number or letter install the latest release even if your version is technically the same.

    Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, etc. are all supported by this same DirectX installation package. It will install any DirectX 11, DirectX 10, or DirectX 9 file needed and supported in that version of Windows.

  3. Assuming the latest DirectX version from Microsoft doesn't fix the xinput1_3.dll error you're receiving, look for a DirectX installation program on your game or application CD or DVD. Usually, if a game or another program uses DirectX, the software developers include a copy of DirectX on the installation disc.

    Sometimes — though not often — the DirectX version included on the disc is a better fit for the program than the latest version available online.

  4. Uninstall the game or software program and then reinstall it again. Something might have happened to the program files that work with xinput1_3.dll, and a reinstall could do the trick.

  5. Restore the xinput1_3.dll file from the latest DirectX software package. If the above troubleshooting steps haven't worked to solve your xinput1_3.dll error, try extracting the xinput1_3.dll individually from the DirectX downloadable package.

  6. Update the drivers for your video card. While it's not the most common solution, in some situations updating the drivers for the video card in your computer could correct this DirectX issue.

Need More Help?

If you don't want to fix 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 whole lot more.

FAQ
  • Where is xinput1_3.dll located?

    In Windows, go to File Explorer > Windows > System32 to find xinput1_3.dll. 

  • How do I fix DirectX errors in League of Legends?

    First, delete the Game.cfg file located in Riot Games/League of Legends/Config. Or delete the subfiles in this folder as well. If this doesn't remedy your issues, you may need to repair the .NET Framework as well.

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