Fix dxgi.dll missing or not found error on Windows computer

If while using or installing certain programs, performing a Windows shutdown or booting Windows, or maybe even during a Windows installation, and you encounter the error message The program can’t start because dxgi.dll is missing from your computer, then this post is intended to help you speedily fix the issue. Some dxgi.dll errors are seen while playing certain video games like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG).

What is dxgi.dll?

Dxgi.dll, also known as a DirectX Graphics Infrastructure file falls under the Win32 DLL (Dynamic link library) file type category. The Dxgi.dll is bundled with the software package in the Windows operating system. The dxgi. dll file should be located in the folder C:\Windows\syswow64 folder.

The following are the main culprit to this error-

The program or application is not able to redirect the file.
Missing dxgi.dll system file.
Corrupted or damaged dxgi.dll file.
Hardware issue.
Registry issues.

Below are some of the known variants or instances of this error-

Dxgi.dll Not Found
The file dxgi.dll is missing
This application failed to start because dxgi.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem
Cannot find [PATH]\dxgi.dll
Cannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: dxgi.dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again
The procedure entry point dxgi.dll error
dxgi.dll could not be located
dxgi.dll Access Violation
Cannot register dxgi.dll

Regardless of the instance of this error, you have encountered, the solutions presented in this post apply.

The program can’t start because dxgi.dll is missing from your computer

To fix dxgi.dll missing or not found error on a Windows computer, you can try our recommended solutions below in no particular order and see if that helps to resolve the issue.

Update/Install DirectX
Install the latest version of Visual C++ redistributable
Run SFC and DISM scan
Restore dxgi.dll file
Re-register DLL files
General fix for missing DLL files errors
Perform System Restore

Let’s take a look at the description of the process involved concerning each of the listed solutions.

Before you try the solutions below, check for updates and install any available bits on your Windows device and see if the error reappears. Also, as indicated on the error prompt (if applicable), you can try uninstalling and then reinstalling the program that’s triggering this error.

1] Update/Install DirectX

As the system file in question is associated with DirectX, you can begin troubleshooting dxgi.dll is missing issue on your Windows 11/10 PC by making sure DirectX is updated or installed on your system.

2] Install the latest version of Visual C++ redistributable

This solution requires you to download and install the latest version of Visual C++ redistributable on your Windows computer.

3] Run SFC and DISM scan

If the dxgi.dll file is damaged or corrupted, the error will occur. In this case, you can run SFC scan and see if that helps. If not, you can run DISM scan or try the next solution.

4] Restore dxgi.dll file

In the case of accidental deletion of the dxgi.dll file from your system, you can try and restore the file from Recycle Bin. You can also restore this file by logging into another working Windows computer that has been recently updated, navigate to the C:\Windows\System32\ folder and locate, copy the file to a USB drive, then plug the drive to the problematic PC, navigate to the exact folder, then paste the file in that location.

Another action you can take, assuming the DLL error is related to a video game, is to delete the dxgi.dll file from the game’s installation folder and see if that fixes the issue. After you delete the dxgi.dll file (if present) from the game’s installation folder, you may have to reinstall the game.

5] Re-register DLL files

This solution requires you to re-register the dxgi.dll file and see if that helps. Otherwise, try the next solution.

6] General fix for missing DLL files errors

If you’re faced with most DLL missing or not found errors, you can try this our general fix for missing DLL files errors and see if the issue will be resolved. If not, try the next solution.

7] Perform System Restore

This solution requires you to restore your system to an earlier point when the system was working correctly without throwing the .dll file error.

How do you fix The program can’t start because OpenCL.DLL is missing from your computer?

If you have encountered the OpenCL.dll missing or not found errors when you’re launching a program or starting your Windows 11/10 computer, you can fix the issue by applying any of the following solutions; install the OpenCL.dll file, update your device drivers, reinstall the program, run a full system virus scan.