How to Fix Xinput9_1_0.dll Not Found or Missing Errors

If installing DirectX doesn't fix the error, reinstall the program or game that needs the file

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 March 14, 2023

Xinput9_1_0.dll issues are caused in one way or another by an issue with Microsoft DirectX.

This file is one of many files contained in the DirectX software collection. Since DirectX is utilized by most Windows based games and advanced graphics programs, xinput9_1_0 DLL errors usually show up only when using these programs.

Any of Microsoft's operating systems since Windows 98 may be affected by xinput9_1_0.dll (aka, XNA Common Controller) and other DirectX issues. This includes Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, and older editions.

Xinput9_1_0.dll Errors

xinput9_1_0.dll error message in Windows

There are several ways xinput9_1_0.dll errors can show up on your computer. Here are some of the more common ones people see:

  • The file xinput9_1_0.dll is missing
  • Xinput9_1_0.DLL Not Found
  • File xinput9_1_0.dll not found
  • Xinput9_1_0.dll not found. Reinstalling might help fix this.

These errors usually appear when a game or another software program is started.

How to Fix Xinput1_3.dll Errors

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

Don't download xinput9_1_0.dll individually from any "DLL download site." There are a number of reasons why downloading DLLs from these sites is often a bad idea. If you've already done so, promptly remove it from wherever you put it, and continue with these steps.

  1. Restart your computer if you haven't yet. The xinput9_1_0.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 DirectX version will fix the "not found" error.

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

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

  3. Assuming the latest DirectX version from Microsoft doesn't fix the xinput9_1_0.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 utilizes DirectX, the software developers will include a copy of it on the installation disc.

    Sometimes, though not often, the 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 xinput9_1_0.dll, and a reinstall could do the trick.

  5. Restore the xinput9_1_0.dll file from the latest DirectX software package. If the above troubleshooting steps haven't worked to solve the issue, try extracting xinput9_1_0.dll 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'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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