If you see the error message, ‘DSOUND.dll is missing from your computer‘ on your Windows 11/10 PC, read this post to learn how to fix the issue. Many users are running into this error message while trying to launch games like Valorant, EA FC 24, or any multimedia app that uses Microsoft DirectX. The error prevents the game or app from starting, causing it to crash sometimes. The complete error message reads:
The program can’t start because DSOUND.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.
If you’re also facing the same issue, continue reading to know how to fix it.
What is DSOUND.dll?
DSOUND.dll is a type of DLL file that forms a core component of Microsoft’s DirectSound technology. DirectSound is a part of DirectX — a collection of APIs developed by Microsoft to handle multimedia tasks on Windows PCs. Many games and multimedia applications rely on DirectSound for proper audio playback. If DSOUND.dll is missing or corrupted, you may experience error messages, no sound or degraded audio performance, or game crashes due to missing audio dependencies.
Fix DSOUND.dll is missing from your computer error
To fix the error message, ‘The program can’t start because DSOUND.dll is missing from your computer‘, use these solutions:
- Re-register DSOUND.dll
- Install the Media Feature Pack
- 3] Update or re-install DirectX.
Let us see this in detail.
1] Re-register DSOUND.dll
Sometimes, the DLL file might become corrupted or lost. By re-registering it, Windows re-establishes the connection to the necessary system libraries, potentially resolving any corruption-related issues.
To re-register DSOUND.dll using the built-in Regsvr.exe tool, follow these steps:
Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box. Type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Next, type the following command in the Command Prompt window:
regsvr32 /u C:\Windows\System32\dsound.dll
The above command will unregister the DSOUND.dll file. Next, type the following command to re-register the DSOUND.dll file:
regsvr32 C:\Windows\System32\dsound.dll
You should see a confirmation message that the DLL file was successfully registered. Restart your computer to apply the changes.
2] Install the Media Feature Pack
Installing the Media Feature Pack ensures all necessary media technologies are available, especially if you’re missing essential features or encountering media-related errors (such as no audio or video playback). It restores Windows Media Player, DirectShow, WMA/ WMV support, and other multimedia components that might be absent in your Windows edition.
Follow these steps to install the Media Feature Pack:
Press Win + I to open the Settings menu. Go to System > Optional features.
Click the View features button next to ‘Add an optional feature’. In the search box, type ‘Media Feature Pack’. Select it from the list of results and click Next > Add.
Media Feature Pack will start installing. Once the installation finishes, restart your system to apply the changes.
3] Update or re-install DirectX
Update or reinstall DirectX. This will replace the missing, corrupt or incompatible components of DirectX from your computer.
If none of the above solutions help, read how to fix missing DLL file errors on a Windows PC.
I hope this helps!
How do I fix a Win32 dll error?
A Win32 DLL error can occur when a 32-bit application tries to load a DLL file that is intended for a different system architecture, like 64-bit. To fix the error, ensure you’re using the correct version of the DLL (that matches your system architecture), or try reinstalling the application to restore the correct DLL version. If the error persists, run the SFC tool to resolve any file corruption issues.
How to install a .DLL file?
You do not typically ‘install’ a DLL file, rather either place it in the correct directory or register it to make it accessible for applications or games. Make sure the DLL file you’re placing or registering matches the architecture (32-bit vs. 64-bit) of your system and the application. Do not download DLL files from unofficial websites, as they may contain malware or corrupt versions.
Read Next: How to fix RunDll error in Windows.
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