6 Best DLL Fixers for Windows 10 and 11 PCs
DLL files are important for the smooth running of the Windows operating system. When they go missing or are corrupted, many programs and software won’t even open.
Sometimes the system is so damaged, it can’t even read DLLs that are in the correct location.
It can be difficult to repair errors or download DLL replacements and install them properly. The good news is you can use a DLL fixer to do all the hard work for you.
This guide looks at the causes of DLL errors and the best DLL fixers to quickly repair your system and bring the software back to life.
What causes DLL errors?
DLL errors occur when the underlying files are:
- Corrupted
- Missing
- Inaccessible due to Windows registry damage
This can happen when software is interrupted during installation, if you accidentally delete the files, or because of conflicts between different software. It is also common for viruses and malware to interfere with DLLs when your computer is infected.
Problems can also arise when the Windows registry is damaged or modified. The registry is like a library that stores information about DLL files and their associated programs. If this ‘filing system’ goes wrong, the DLL might not be found, even if it exists.
Another issue is that DLLs can become outdated when software requires a new version of the same DLL but doesn’t acquire it during the installation or update process.
What is the easiest fix for a missing DLL error?
When a DLL is damaged or can’t be found on your system, most programs and software will deliver a clear error message stating the name of the DLL file in question.
- The easiest fix is to find a fresh copy of the file and put it in the right folder. DLLs do not run or install themselves.
Sometimes, reinstalling the software that’s crashing can also fix the DLL error. This works when the DLL is included in the installer. However, if it is a common shared DLL, you may need to find a copy yourself.
In extreme cases, reinstalling or repairing Windows via installation disc or drive will replace missing DLLs, but this should be the last resort.
Although replacing a DLL is relatively straightforward, the risk comes in trying to find a legitimate copy of the file. Many sites will claim to have the file, but it ends up not being available.
Warning: Some DLLs will be fake, bundled with other junk, or even infected with malware that can cause even more damage to the system.
Moreover, even when you have the correct file, not all programs will tell you where DLLs are stored. This is where DLL fixers come into play. This software will find and replace DLLs automatically.
What is the best DLL Fixer software?
We put the top DLL fixers to the test to find which are the most successful at fixing DLL errors and replacing missing files.
1. Fortect
During Fortect’s registry scan, the tool quickly detects issues with missing and damaged DLLs. It focuses on shared files, which are vital to the Windows operating system and are the biggest cause of errors.
This includes files like kernel32.dll, user32.dll, and gdi32.dll, which contain functions that are frequently used by many Windows and third-party programs. To solve the issue, Fortect will pull the latest copies from its vast database of working system files and plug them back so everything works again.
Fortect also stands out due to its ability to detect malware damage and potentially unwanted programs. This can help with the fight against DLL errors by strengthening your system and stopping threats that target DLLs.
This is the perfect tool to work alongside your favorite antivirus software!
2. Glary Utilities
Glarysoft offers two approaches to DLL fixing. You can download its standalone DLL Fixer tool, or you can use its Utilities suite to keep all aspects of Windows running smoothly.
The second is the better option because it repairs the registry itself and removes malware, reducing the chances of DLL errors in the first place.
Glary keeps its database of DLLs open to the public on its website in case you wish to replace any manually. However, it’s much easier to let the fixer scan your system and replace the files automatically.
3. CCleaner
The advanced Windows registry cleaner offered by CCleaner is able to identify and replace many common shared DLL files if they’re missing. It also fixes missing and damaged registry entries, which gets to the bottom of many DLL errors.
While its results can be a bit confusing, it gives you the option to back up your registry before going through with the repair process.
This means if anything does go wrong, you can always revert to the previous state and use another tool to fix your DLLs.
4. IObit Advanced SystemCare 16
The Advanced SystemCare suite by IObit can fix some errors with shared Windows DLLs by patching their associated registry keys. This works when it’s the registry that has become damaged, rather than the DLL files themselves.
Furthermore, SystemCare also finds and removes malware and other nasties which can delete important DLLs, damage the registry, and otherwise harm your computer.
The system scan is used for a number of different performance tasks, so it can take a few minutes. However, it’s your choice which areas should be repaired and optimized. The drawback is it does not currently find and replace DLLs that are totally missing from your system.
⇨ Download IObit Advanced System Care 16
5. System Mechanic
IOLO’s System Mechanic software has one of the better registry repair tools, which is capable of fixing DLL errors related to disorganized system configuration data in the registry.
This data includes misallocated registry settings, invalid startup settings, and corrupt entries. By fixing this, your system can find DLLs that are already there but have been misplaced.
Its deep system cleaning also deserves praise. It looks for 50 different kinds of junk data, freeing up hard drive space and increasing Windows performance.
All it’s lacking is malware protection on the basic plan and the option to replace DLLs that are completely missing.
⇨ Download IOLO System Mechanic
6. DLL Suite
This tool is available up to Windows 10 and has one of the largest DLL databases on the web. It scans your system on startup, then will automatically search for replacement DLLs.
It’s also one of the few that allows for manual DLL replacement from within its interface.
The suite has several features in common with other Windows repair tools, such as registry optimization and junk file removal, but we only recommend it for DLL errors. Fortect and others are far better at improving overall Windows performance.
Before repairing, it’s a good idea to use DLL Suite’s built-in registry backup, in the off chance that something goes wrong.
Conclusion
It can be frustrating when your Windows programs and software crash or won’t even open due to DLL errors. However, the problem can be easily solved with a good DLL fixer.
Solutions like Fortect include DLL repair alongside other important Windows optimization tools.
Instead of having to find individual files online and install them yourself, the likes of Fortect detect all your DLL errors, even those you’re unaware of, and automatically fixes them.
This can simply involve repairing the registry or replacing missing DLL files with fresh ones.
