Quick Fixes to ‘api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is missing’ Error

| Updated on February 13, 2024

Are you struggling with the ‘api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is missing’ error on Windows? If yes, there is nothing to be worried about, as this error mostly occurs whenever you try to open a program or file on Windows. It welcomes you with an error 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”.

Api ms win crt runtime l1 1 0.dll is missing Error

But you don’t have to panic about this, as we are giving several ways to fix this error easily. So let’s get started.

Reasons Due to Which api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is Missing

The major reason due to which the api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll file has gone missing is that it is included in Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015. The error arises when your device doesn’t have this software or the already installed software has gone missing, is corrupted, or is incompatible.

Solutions to Apply When api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll has Gone Missing

Before moving further with the fixes of api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is missing error, it is necessary to scan your computer for malware and viruses. For this, you can use the built-in Windows Defender of your PC and then try some strong third-party antivirus or anti-malware solution.

If there is any threat detected, reinstalling the program that shows this notification can treat the problem in most cases. 

If the issue is still there, you can try out some more technical solutions that are given below to fix the ‘api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is missing’ error:

Case-1: If Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015 isn’t Installed

There are three ways using which you can install Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015:

1. Using Windows Update

Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015 is available in Windows Update KB2999226, so you can get it as follows:

  • In the search box of Windows, type ‘Update’, and then from the search results, click ‘Check for Updates’ for Windows 10 and ‘Windows Update’ for Windows 7.
  • Then click on ‘Check for Updates’. You may also see all the available updates in a list, click on ‘Download’ to install them on your Windows.
    Click on Check for Updates
  • After the updates are installed, restart your computer and ensure you have installed all the necessary updates.
  • Now open the program you were trying to open before and then see if you are getting the same error.

2. Download Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015 from Microsoft

If the above-mentioned way didn’t work for you, you can download the software from the official Microsoft website as follows:

  • Go to the official webpage of Microsoft and click on ‘Download’ after selecting the language.
  • Next, select the device on which you are facing the error if it is x64 or x86(x32), and then click on ‘Next’.
    Click on the Next option
  • The download will start and when it is over, double-click on the vc_redist.x86.exe or vc_redist.x64.exe file to launch the installer.
    Select vc_redist.x86.exe or vc_redist.x64
  • After that, you can continue with the simple on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
  • Once you’ll see ‘Setup Complete’, try to open the program and see if api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is missing or not.

You can also install the missing file through an update issued by Microsoft. For this, you must have the following operating system updates installed on your system:

You can simply select the system from the list and redirect to the download page. 

Also check out: How to recover Windows 0x0 error?

3. Get the Missing DLL from Its Official Page

Sometimes, DLL files fall victim to corruption, are lost, or get deleted accidentally. To fix the error, you can download this file from some other trusted sources, like the official page of DLL. To download the file from here, you have to complete the following steps:

  • Go to the dll-file.com page, where you can find the missing DLL. 
  • Scroll down and locate the DLL that you want to download. After checking the architecture and version number, click on the Download button.
  • In case, you are facing any trouble while downloading api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll onto your computer, you can visit the DLL-Files.com Support to get your problem solved.

Warning: Always install the DLL file from a trusted source and check properly the legality of it in your country. 

Case-2: If Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015 is Installed

If you have already downloaded and installed api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll and still it is showing an error, you need to repair it or replace the copy of the file.

1. Repair Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015

Here’s how you can try to repair the pre-installed Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015:

  •  Go to ‘Control Panel’ from the Start menu
  • Then click on ‘Programs and Features’.
  • Look for Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable and then click on ‘Modify’.
  • After that, select the ‘Repair’ option and then click ‘Yes’ when prompted.
    Click on Repair

Once the repair process is completed, your api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll problem should be fixed.

2. Copy api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll

If none of the above methods work for you, copy the file that is missing on your device from another PC. So you will not need to download api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll, just copy the file as follows:

  • Open up the Search box of your device and then type ‘System Information’ there. This will help you know your Windows system type.
  • Now, press the Windows key and E together to open the File Explorer.
  • There in the search box, type C:\Windows\System32, and then again in its search box, type api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll; press Enter.
  • If you found the api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll file, copy and paste it into the same location as where you copied the file on the computer you are facing a problem with.

That’s how you can deal with the api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll file missing error on Windows.

Closing Thoughts

Here, we tried to provide all possible solutions to deal with the ‘api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is missing’ error. In most cases, these techniques are enough to get rid of the error, but if you are unable to tackle it, get help from some software troubleshooting experts.


Adam Green

With more than 3 years of experience as a software and tech writer on GetAssist.net Adam has been writing articles, blogs, and featured stories centered around the software and tech niche since he graduated from Virginia Tech University. He writes savvy articles, tutorials, and reviews that explain difficult concepts to readers of all levels. His expertise includes software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. Through simple and engaging writing, Adam constantly delivers useful insights that enable readers to feel at ease in the ever-changing technological scene.

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