What To Do When You Get A DLL Error Message

In a recent survey of computer users about their awareness of various computer application errors, it was found most users had absolutely no idea about common errors such as DLL errors and how to resolve them. Another finding of this survey was that a majority of them were likely to call on an expert to solve such issues and in doing so spent an average of $110.  This amount may not appear to be that big,  but imagine the cumulative impact on our economy when you realize that users spent over $60 billion on just rectifying computer errors last year. This does not take into account the millions of hours of productivity that is lost due to such errors.

While this may be good news for computer professionals, it is a nightmare for users. The only way to tackle this problem is to resist the impulse to call on the experts and first try to fix the problem yourself. This is especially recommended in the case of errors such as DLL errors which can be easily resolved with the right troubleshooting methods.

In order to repair a DLL error, it is crucial that you have sound knowledge about the basics of DLL files. DLL or Dynamic Link Library files were created by the manufacturers of the Windows operating system to help in the reduction of hard disk and memory space usage by applications. DLL files contain commonly used codes and are loaded only when an application needs to use a specific function.

DLL error messages:

This is an example of a rundll error message which occurs during computer start-up:

“RUNDLL: Error loading C:\windows\system 32\bridge.dll. The specified module could not be found.”

What causes DLL errors?

Some common reasons behind DLL errors include:

  1. A DLL file gets deleted by mistake.
  2. You try to install a program that is buggy.
  3. Hard disk errors that may corrupt DLL and program files.
  4. A working file is accidentally replaced by a corrupt file.
  5. Malware infection that may add malicious codes to files and generate errors.

Fixing DLL Errors

There are various ways to resolve Windows XP and Vista DLL errors. Some of these are discussed below:

  1. You must always start the troubleshooting process by researching the DLL error message you are facing on the Internet. Many times all you need to fix the error is to download a new copy of that file and save it in the correct folder, after deleting or backing up the old file.
  2. You must thoroughly scan your PC with the help of reliable anti-malware. This will eliminate any virus and spyware that may be causing DLL problems.
  3. You can use the help from various websites that offer to scan your computer and detect DLL errors without any charge. However, you may need to pay to solve the DLL errors. Also, ensure that the site you use is trust worthy.
  4. Be aware of the situation when a DLL error takes place. If a new program was being installed when the error occurred, try uninstalling it and see if the error disappears.
  5. Finally, you can opt for an inexpensive automatic tool known as a registry cleaner that will not only get rid of DLL problems, but also optimize your computer’s performance.