The RunDLL error “There was a problem starting” with a detailed message “The specified module could not be found” prompt when Windows startup, open a hard drive or shortcut that is pointing to an executable stored in the hard disk. This RunDLL error is confirmed to occur on Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. Follow the resolution steps below to resolve this RunDLL error.
[Solved] How to Fix RunDLL Error “There was a problem starting” “The specified module could not be found”
Content Summary
Solution 1: Execute Windows Defender Full Scan
Solution 2: Remove BackgroundContainer task
Solution 3: Remove autorun.inf using command
Solution 4: Remove autorun.inf via registry key
Solution 5: Execute SFC
Solution 6: Execute CHKDSK
Solution 1: Execute Windows Defender Full Scan
Step 1: Press Windows key once
Step 2: Type security
in the search box.
Step 3: Select Windows Security.
Step 4: Choose Virus & Threat protection > Scan options > Full scan > Scan now button.
Execute Windows Defender Full Scan
Solution 2: Remove BackgroundContainer task
Step 1: Press Windows + R on to open Run box.
Step 2: Type taskschd.msc
and press Enter.
Step 3: Click on Task Scheduler Library.
Step 4: Right-click on the BackgroundContainer task and select Delete.
Remove BackgroundContainer task
Solution 3: Remove autorun.inf using command
Step 1: Press Windows key once
Step 2: Type cmd
in the search box.
Step 3: Choose Run as administrator to open an elevated command prompt.
Step 4: Enter the following command to navigate to the root location: CD X:\
* Replace X with the drive letter.
Step 5: Type the following command and press Enter after each one to delete the autorun.inf file forcefully:
Attrib -r -s -h X:\autorun.inf
Del /F X:\autorun.inf
Step 6: Close the elevated CMD prompt and restart the computer.
Solution 4: Remove autorun.inf via registry key
Step 1: Press Windows key + R to open Run box.
Step 2: Type regedit
and press Enter to open Registry Editor. If the UAC (User Account Control) prompt, click on Yes to grant admin access.
Step 3: Navigate to the following location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Step 4: Verify all the key in the right-hand pane to confirm doesn’t contain evidence of a PuP (Potentially unwanted Program) or remnants of a malware program. if yes then right-click on it and choose Delete from the context menu.
Remove autorun.inf via registry key
Step 5: Repeat Step 3 and Step 4 at the following location:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
Step 6: Close Registry Editor and restart the computer.
Solution 5: Execute SFC
Step 1: Press Windows key once
Step 2: Type cmd
in the search box.
Step 3: Choose Run as administrator to open an elevated command prompt.
Step 4: Type sfc /scannow
and press Enter.
Execute SFC with scannow option
Solution 6: Execute CHKDSK
Execute an Automatic CHKDSK scan with the ‘Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors’ option.
Step 1: Press Windows key once
Step 2: Type cmd
in the search box.
Step 3: Choose Run as administrator to open an elevated command prompt.
Step 4: Type chkdsk X: /r
and press Enter. Replace X with the drive letter you want to check.