VCRUNTIME140_1.dll was not found — what it means and how to fix it

VCRUNTIME140_1.dll is an extra file that only ships with newer versions of Microsoft’s Visual C++ 2015–2022 runtime. A program built recently goes looking for it; a PC whose runtime was installed years ago simply doesn’t have it yet. Nothing is broken — the runtime is out of date.

The fix, in order

  1. Install the latest Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable from Microsoft — both vc_redist.x64.exe and vc_redist.x86.exe. The 140_1 file is included in current builds of the package.
  2. Restart the PC when the install finishes, then open the program again.
  3. Still named as missing? Repair instead: Settings → Apps → “Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable” → Modify → Repair, for both entries.
  4. Then verify the program’s own files (Steam: Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity) in case its folder holds an older private copy of the runtime.
Do not download VCRUNTIME140_1.dll by itself. Single-DLL sites serve mismatched versions and bundled installers. The file belongs to a matched set that Microsoft’s free package installs correctly.

How is this different from VCRUNTIME140.dll?

Same runtime, different file. VCRUNTIME140.dll has shipped since the runtime first appeared in 2015; the _1 file arrived in a later update. A PC can have the original and still miss the _1 — which is why “I already installed the redistributable” and this error can both be true. Installing the current package covers both.

If it still happens

If the newest package is installed and the error persists, check the failing program’s folder for its own vcruntime files and rename any you find (add .bak) so it uses the system set. After that, a clean reinstall of the program is the remaining move.

Common questions

I installed the redistributable and it still says missing. Why? Usually the other flavour is missing: a 32-bit program needs the x86 package even on a 64-bit PC. Install both, restart, and try again.

Is VCRUNTIME140_1.dll part of Windows? No — it comes with Microsoft’s redistributable package, which programs install alongside themselves. Nothing is wrong with Windows when it’s absent.

Related errors

VCRUNTIME140.dll missing · MSVCP140.dll missing · Error 0xc000007b — unable to start correctly