How to Fix “The specified module could not be found” Error in Windows 10

• The article explains what causes the “The specified module could not be found” error in Windows 10 and how to fix it using various methods, such as reinstalling the program that causes the error, running a system file checker scan, updating your device drivers, and registering a DLL file manually.
• The article also provides some FAQs related to this topic and their answers, such as how to know which DLL file is missing or corrupted, where to download DLL files from, and how to register a DLL file manually.

If you have ever encountered the “The specified module could not be found” error in Windows 10, you might have felt frustrated and confused. This error can prevent you from running certain programs or accessing some features of your system. It usually occurs when a DLL (Dynamic Link Library) file that is required by a program is missing or corrupted. A DLL file is a collection of code and data that can be used by multiple programs at the same time. For example, the kernel32.dll file contains functions that are essential for the Windows operating system.

In this article, we will explain what causes this error and how to fix it using various methods. We will also provide some FAQs related to this topic and a summary as the conclusion of the article.

What Causes the “The specified module could not be found” Error?

There are several possible reasons why you might see this error message on your screen. Some of the common causes are:

• A DLL file is missing or deleted by mistake. This can happen when you uninstall a program that shares a DLL file with another program, or when you delete a DLL file manually.
• A DLL file is corrupted or infected by malware. This can happen when you download a DLL file from an unreliable source, or when your system is attacked by a virus or malware that modifies or deletes a DLL file.
• A DLL file is incompatible or outdated. This can happen when you install a new version of a program that requires a different version of a DLL file, or when you update your Windows system and some DLL files are not updated properly.
• A registry entry is invalid or incorrect. The registry is a database that stores information about your system and programs. Sometimes, the registry entries that point to the location of a DLL file can become invalid or incorrect due to various reasons, such as human error, software conflict, or registry corruption.

How to Fix the “The specified module could not be found” Error?

Depending on the cause of the error, there are different ways to fix it. Here are some of the most effective methods that you can try:

Method 1: Reinstall the Program that Causes the Error

One of the simplest ways to fix this error is to reinstall the program that triggers it. This can help you restore the missing or corrupted DLL files that are associated with the program. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type appwiz.cpl and click OK to open the Programs and Features window.
3. Find the program that causes the error and right-click on it. Select Uninstall and follow the instructions to remove it from your system.
4. Restart your computer and reinstall the program from its original source or from a trusted website.

Method 2: Run a System File Checker Scan

Another way to fix this error is to run a system file checker (SFC) scan. This is a built-in tool in Windows that can scan and repair any corrupted or missing system files, including DLL files. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + X keys and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.
2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter to start the scan. This may take some time, so please be patient.
3. Once the scan is completed, you will see a message indicating whether any problems were found and fixed. If any problems were found but not fixed, you may need to run another command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. This command can use Windows Update to download and replace any damaged system files.
4. Restart your computer and check if the error is resolved.

Method 3: Update Your Device Drivers

Sometimes, this error can also be caused by outdated or incompatible device drivers. A device driver is a software that allows your hardware devices to communicate with your operating system. If your device drivers are not updated regularly, they may cause conflicts or errors with some programs or features of your system. To update your device drivers, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + X keys and select Device Manager from the menu.
2. Expand the category of the device that you want to update and right-click on it. Select Update driver from the menu.
3. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and follow the instructions to install the latest driver for your device.
4. Repeat this process for any other devices that you want to update.
5. Restart your computer and check if the error is resolved.

FAQs Related to “The specified module could not be found” Error

Here are some of the frequently asked questions related to this error and their answers:

Question: How do I know which DLL file is missing or corrupted?

Answer: Usually, the error message will tell you the name of the DLL file that is causing the problem. For example, if you see a message like “The specified module could not be found (Exception from HRESULT: 0x8007007E)”, it means that the module or DLL file with the name 0x8007007E is missing or corrupted. You can also use a tool like Dependency Walker to analyze the dependencies of a program and find out which DLL files are required by it.

Question: Where can I download DLL files from?

Answer: It is not recommended to download DLL files from unknown or untrusted sources, as they may contain malware or viruses that can harm your system. The best way to get DLL files is to reinstall the program that needs them, run a system file checker scan, or update your device drivers. If you still need to download a DLL file, make sure you get it from a reputable website, such as Microsoft or DLL-files.com.

Question: How do I register a DLL file manually?

Answer: Sometimes, you may need to register a DLL file manually if it is not registered automatically by the program that uses it. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type regsvr32 /u dllname.dll and click OK to unregister the DLL file. Replace dllname.dll with the name of the DLL file that you want to unregister.
3. Press Windows + R keys again to open the Run dialog box.
4. Type regsvr32 dllname.dll and click OK to register the DLL file. Replace dllname.dll with the name of the DLL file that you want to register.
5. Restart your computer and check if the error is resolved.

Summary

The “The specified module could not be found” error in Windows 10 can be annoying and frustrating, but it can be fixed easily by following some simple methods. In this article, we have explained what causes this error and how to fix it using various methods, such as reinstalling the program that causes the error, running a system file checker scan, updating your device drivers, and registering a DLL file manually. We have also provided some FAQs related to this topic and their answers. We hope this article has helped you solve this error and improve your system performance.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Please consult a qualified technician before attempting any of the methods mentioned in this article. We are not responsible for any damage or loss caused by following these methods.