How to Fix D3dx9_36.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 15, 2023

D3dx9_36.dll issues are caused in one way or another by a single issue—some kind of problem with Microsoft DirectX.

This DLL file is one of many similar files contained in the DirectX software collection. Since DirectX is utilized by most Windows based games and advanced graphics programs, d3dx9_36.dll errors usually show up only when using these programs.

D3dx9_36.dll Errors

D3dx9_36 DLL error message

D3dx9_36.dll errors can show up on your computer in a number of different ways. Here are many of the more common ones:

  • D3DX9_36.DLL Not Found
  • File d3dx9_36.dll not found
  • The file d3dx9_36.dll is missing
  • D3DX9_36.DLL is missing. Replace D3DX9_36.DLL and try again.
  • D3dx9_36.dll not found. Reinstalling might help fix this.
  • Missing component d3dx9_36.dll

How to Fix D3dx9_36.dll Errors

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

Do not download d3dx9_36.dll individually from any "DLL download site." There are a number of reasons why downloading DLLs like that is never a good idea. If you've already done so, remove it from wherever you put it and continue with the following steps.

  1. Restart your computer if you haven't yet done so. The d3dx9_36.dll error might be a fluke or one-time issue, and a simple restart could clear it up completely.

  2. Install the latest version of Microsoft DirectX. Chances are, upgrading to the most up-to-date version will fix the d3dx9_36.dll not found error.

    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 d3dx9_36.dll error you're receiving, look for a DirectX installation program on your game or application CD or DVD. Usually, if a game or other 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. Run the program in Compatibility Mode. For example, if you're getting this error on Windows 10 with a video game, right-click the game's icon from the desktop and find the compatibility option. Change it to something else, such as Windows XP SP3.

    You might have to try it with different versions of Windows selected, since all programs and games are different and might only work in this special compatibility mode if a specific version of Windows is chosen.

  5. Uninstall the game or software program and then reinstall it again. Something might have happened to the files in the program that work with d3dx9_36.dll and a reinstall could do the trick.

  6. Restore the d3dx9_36.dll file from the latest DirectX package. If the above troubleshooting steps haven't worked to solve your DLL error, try extracting the d3dx9_36.dll file individually from the DirectX package.

  7. 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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