Windows

{Solved} Fix api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is Missing

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When you try opening a file or program, you get the following message: “The program can’t start because api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.”

The general cause of this error lies in: the api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll file is included in the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable software. If the software is missing, or the existing one is corrupted, incompatible, you may get this error.

Table of Contents

1 How to Fix api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is Missing Error
2 Conclusion

How to Fix api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is Missing Error

The basic solution lies in reinstalling the software itself. Keep reading below to check more ways to tackle the problem.

Method 1: Check if Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable is installed on your PC

You need first to check if Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable is on your PC. The program can’t start because api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is missing and it is a part of the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable. So if it does not remain on your PC, it shows the file as missing.

To check if the Redistributable is on your system, follow the steps below:

At First, press the Windows key. In the Search box that opens, type appwiz.cpl. Hit the Enter key. It opens the Programs and Features windows in the Control Panel.

Then keep scrolling down the list. At a point in time, you will see all the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages.
When you look at the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable package, right click on it. Then select the Uninstall option. If you see both the versions: x64 bit and x32 bit, you will need to uninstall both of them.
Reinstall the package again. See if it solves the api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll missing from your computer error.

To note, a missing Microsoft Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable can also cause the error. What you do, is first check if uninstalling the 2015 package solves the issue by reinstalling. If it does not, repeat the above process for the 2017 package.

Sometimes, you may run into errors while uninstalling the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable package. In such cases, you can use the Revo Uninstaller to remove all their components forcefully. You must take care to keep a backup of your Windows partition before you attempt this.

See also:

5 Ways to Fix Your Windows License Will Expire Soon Error

Method 2: Install the software via Windows Update

The Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable came out in Windows Update KB2999226. Without it, the api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll file fails to exist. So you can install it through Windows Update.

At First, click on the Start button. Type update in the Search box that will open.

Next, you click on Check for updates, if you are on Windows 10. If you are using Windows 7, click on Windows Update.
Then, in the Windows Update window, click on Check for updates.
In Windows 10, Microsoft will install all the detected updates automatically. In case of Windows 7, you need to click on Install Updates.

After the update is complete, restart your system. Repeat all the above steps until there are no more remaining updates to be installed.
Finally, open the program or file which was creating the error. Check if your problem is solved.

In case, it did not work, move forward to the next method.

Method 3: Download Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable for Visual Studio from Microsoft directly

1. At First, go to the official Microsoft Download website. Follow this link.
Then click on Download.
You need to select your system type: x64 (64-bit) or x86 (32-bit).

If you are not sure about your system type, do this: Click on the Start button. Type system in the search box given. Then click on System Information (Windows 10) or System (Windows 7) from the results shown. You can then see your system type in the window that opens.architecture system information.
It will start to download the file automatically.
When the download completes, double-click on the .exe file.

Follow the instructions given on screen to complete the installation. After it finishes installing, open the program that was giving you the api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll missing error. See if the program works correctly now.

Method 4: Re-register the DLL file

In case the api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll file is present in your system, you may need to re-register the file. This will solve the error.
To do that, follow these steps:

At First, press the keys Ctrl + Shift + Enter. Then click on OK. This will open the command prompt. Alternatively, press Windows + X keys. Then click on Command Prompt (Admin).
In the command prompt window, type: regsvr32 “path & filename of dll or ocx.”

Check if this solves your issue. In case the file is missing from your PC, download the missing file from the Internet. Then pasting it to a particular place can be a solution.

Read Also:

Method 5: Update for Universal C Runtime

At First, download the update for Universal C Runtime from this website.

Then install the Runtime Component.
Afterward, Restart your system. Check if the api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is missing from your computer error persists.

Method 6: Perform a clean installation of Windows

It is the last method you should try. Before you proceed, you should back up all your necessary documents, pictures, and other data. It is a time-consuming step. It will also erase everything from your hard drive. A clean installation will also remove all the junk, and get your computer ready for normal usage.

Conclusion

These were all the methods that can help you in tackling the api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll missing problem. Hopefully, either works for you.

Garvit Sinha

Gravit Sinha is the founder of ValidEdge. Ever since he was a kid, he has been a problem fixer and that passion is what inspired him to start and grow this website! 🙂