- “Apphelp.dll Not Found”
- “This application failed to start because apphelp.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.”
- “Cannot find [PATH]\apphelp.dll”
- “The file apphelp.dll is missing.”
- “Cannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: apphelp.dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again.”
Apphelp.dll Not Found – How To Fix
Apphelp.dll is a Windows Dynamic Link Library (.dll) file that helps your system perform a series of essential functions and tasks. This file is used widely on your computer and you will likely see the Apphelp.dll error when you install / uninstall various programs, boot up Windows or shut down your PC. Here’s how to fix this problem…
Apphelp.dll Error Messages
The Apphelp.dll file often posts error messages which include:
These error messages can appear at various times when you use your Windows operating system, and in order to fix them, you should follow the recommended steps below:
How To Fix Apphelp.dll Errors
Step 1 – Replace Apphelp.dll With An Update
It’s often the case that Windows cannot read Apphelp.dll because the file is either corrupt or damaged. This is a big problem which is very common particularly in older versions of Windows. Here’s what you have to do to fix it…
1) Download the latest version of Apphelp.dll
2) Browse to C:\Windows\System32 in “My Computer“
3) Try and locate the current “Apphelp.dll” file on your PC
4) When found, rename the file to apphelpBACKUP.dll
5) Take the new Apphelp.dll file from the zip archive
6) Extract it to C:\Windows\System32
7) Restart your PC
This will allow Windows to read the new file that’s been placed onto your system. You should then try and do the same things that you were doing to help Windows. However, if this does not work, then move onto Step 2:
Step 2 – Reinstall The Program That Needs Apphelp.dll
If you’re getting this error when you try and install a program, then move onto step 3… but if you’re getting this message whilst trying to run a program, then you may wish to reinstall the program that uses the file to stop the error. It’s often the case that the apphelp.dll file will become damaged and corrupted when installed, which will cause the error to appear. To fix this, you should uninstall the program that is causing the error and then install a fresh copy into a different folder onto your computer.
This will allow Windows to place the desired version of apphelp.dll onto your computer, which should get your PC running smoothly again. However, if this does not work, then try using step 3:
Step 3 – Repair Windows
Since apphelp.dll is a core Windows component, one of the most reliable ways to fix it is to repair your Windows installation. This will not remove any settings or files you may have on your PC – it will just reinstall all the Windows files that your system needs to run, including apphelp.dll. You can try a repair install if you feel confident, but if you’re not so sure, then move onto Step 4…
Step 4 – Scan For Viruses
Viruses can also cause the errors you are seeing. There are viruses which basically latch onto files such as apphelp.dll and then corrupt them, preventing Windows from not being able to recognize them again. This is a big problem which can only be fixed by using an antivirus program to scan through your computer and fix the viruses that are inside it.
Step 5 – Clean The Registry
The ‘registry’ is a big database inside Windows which keeps a large list of references for the DLL files on your system. This central database is where Windows keeps a list of the DLL file locations for your computer, and is where your system looks each time it wants to use a dll file such as apphelp.dll. Unfortunately, it’s prone to becoming damaged and corrupted and is constantly being unable to read the files and references that it needs to open the files that it wants. This is a major problem that causes a lot of damage to many different parts of your system. Running a registry scan will remove all the damaged references inside the registry, allowing it to run as quickly and smoothly as possible.