In this article, we will discuss common causes of DLL errors and the steps you can perform to troubleshoot them. To begin with, let’s look at some of the common causes of frequent DLL errors such as ntdll.dll, zsr.dll, and mp3.dll errors:
- Missing or damaged DLL file
- Using an older version of a DLL file
- Incorrect installation of Windows or programs
- Outdated device drivers
- Malware infection
- Registry issues
Now that we know what causes DLL errors, let’s look at the steps you may follow to resolve a DLL error:
Use a file recovery tool to recover the lost DLL
This is recommended when you accidentally delete a DLL file. In such a scenario, first check the contents of your Recycle Bin. If the DLL file is sitting in the Recycle Bin, restore it from there. Otherwise, you may use a reliable third-party file recovery program to recover the lost DLL file.
Download the DLL file from an online DLL Directory
If the DLL file listed in the error message is missing due to some other reason, download a new copy of the DLL file from a reliable, trustworthy, and free online DLL Directory. Save the DLL in the default location if you know the path to it. Otherwise, save the DLL in your System folder (for Windows XP/Vista computer, it is C:\Windows\System32) and restart your computer.
You may also procure a fresh copy of the missing DLL from a computer that has a similar configuration to yours.
In case the missing DLL file is a core Windows file, it is best to extract a copy of the DLL from the Windows installation CD/DVD.
Reinstall the application with which you are getting the DLL error
As discussed in “causes of a DLL error” section, you may experience DLL errors if a program is not installed correctly or if the installation CD is damaged. Please note this is not limited to programs only, but also applies to the installation of Windows.
For instance, you may receive ntdll.dll errors soon after a fresh Windows installation, if the Windows installation CD is scratched, damaged, or pirated.
To repair DLL errors that occur due to faulty installation of programs or Windows, do a fresh install using a legitimate and unscratched installation CD.
Update your driver files
Driver related issues, such as outdated driver files may also cause various DLL errors. To repair the problem, update your device drivers. You may opt for a reliable driver scanner tool to ensure your drivers are automatically updated as and when new updates are released.
Perform a malware scan
Malware programs are often found to be the root cause of recurring DLL issues, such as ntdll.dll, zsr.dll, or mp3.dll errors. Perform a malware scan using advanced antivirus and antispyware tools to resolve errors due to malware infection.
Perform a registry scan
In order to avoid frequent DLL issues and other errors, clean your registry regularly. Besides causing your system’s performance to deteriorate, an unclean or damaged registry may also cause recurring errors, including DLL errors. You may use a reliable registry cleaning software to clean your registry and to fix errors that occur due to registry related issues.