Eliminate ‘MSI.DLL Not Present’ Error with These Simple Fixes

The msi.dll is a dynamic library link that is part of a Microsoft Installer application. Used most commonly with MSI files, this component aids in the installation or removal of Microsoft operating systems or Windows apps. It can occur in almost any application, so tracking down the issue can be tricky. See below for some troubleshooting steps you can take to fix msi.dll not found or missing errors.

Msi.dll errors could apply to any program or system that might utilize the file on any of Microsoft’soperating systems includingWindows 11 ,Windows 10 ,Windows 8 ,Windows 7 ,Windows Vista ,Windows XP , and Windows 2000.

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How to Fix Msi.dll Not Found or Missing Errors

Don’t download msi.dll from a “DLL download” website. There are many reasons whydownloading 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. If you’ve already downloaded it, delete it from wherever you put it, and continue with these steps below.

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

1. Restore msi.dll from the Recycle Bin . The easiest possible cause of a “missing” 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 torecover the file with a free data recovery program .
   This 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.
2. Run a virus/malware scan of your entire system . Some msi.dll errors could be related to a virus or other malware infection on your computer that has damaged the file. It’s even possible that the error you’re seeing is related to a hostile program that’s masquerading as the file.
3. Use System Restore to undo recent system changes . If you suspect that the msi.dll error was caused by a change made to an important file or configuration,System Restore could solve the problem.
4. Reinstall the program that uses the file . If the error occurs when you use a particular program, reinstalling the program should replace the file.
   Try your best to complete this step. Reinstalling the program that provides the msi.dll file, if possible, is a likely solution to this DLL error.
5. Install any available Windows updates . Manyservice packs and otherpatches replace or update some of the hundreds of Microsoft distributed DLL files on your computer. The msi.dll file is included in the KB2918614 security update.
6. Run the sfc /scannow System File Checker command to replace a missing or corrupt copy of the msi.dll file. Since this file is provided by Microsoft, theSystem File Checker tool should restore it.
7. Update the drivers for hardware devices that might be related to msi.dll. If, for example, you’re receiving a “The file msi.dll is missing” error when you play a 3D video game, try updating thedrivers for yourvideo card .
   This file may or may not be related to video cards—this was just an example. The key here is to pay very close attention to the context of the error and troubleshoot accordingly.
8. Roll back a driver to a previously installed version if errors began after updating a particular hardware device’s driver.
9. Test your memory and thentest your hard drive . We’ve left the majority of hardware troubleshooting to the last step, but your computer’smemory andhard drive are easy to test and are the most likely components that might cause msi.dll errors as they fail.
   If the hardware fails any of your tests,replace the memory orreplace the hard drive as soon as possible.
10. 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.
11. Use a free registry cleaner to repair issues in the registry. A free registry cleaner program may be able to help by removing invalid msi.dllregistry entries that might be causing the DLL error.
    We rarely recommend the use of registry cleaners. We’ve included the option here as a “last resort” attempt before the destructive step coming up next.
12. Perform a clean installation of Windows . This will erase everything from thehard drive and install a fresh copy of Windows. If none of the steps above correct the msi.dll error, this should be your next course of action.
    All the information on your hard drive will be erased during a clean install. Make sure you’ve made the best attempt possible to fix the msi.dll error using a troubleshooting step prior to this one.
13. Troubleshoot for a hardware problem if any errors persist. After a clean install of Windows, your DLL problem can only be hardware related.

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Need More Help?

If you’re not interested in fixing this problem yourself, seeHow 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.

Causes of Msi.dll Not Found or Missing Errors

Msi.dll errors are caused by situations that lead to the removal or corruption of the msiDLL file .

In some cases, msi.dll errors could indicate aregistry problem, avirus or malware issue, or even ahardware failure.

There are several ways msi.dll errors can show up on your computer. Here are some of the more common messages:

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

These errors 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 msi.dll error is an important piece of information that will be helpful while solving the problem.

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