COMCTL32.dll missing or not found on Windows 11

If you see the error message COMCTL32.dll is missing or not found while trying to use certain applications on your Windows 11/10, read this post to learn how to fix it. COMCTL32.dll (Common Controls Library) is a dynamic link library (DLL) that comes with the Windows operating system. It implements common controls (standard UI elements like buttons, scroll bars, progress bars, etc.) that the OS and third-party applications widely use to create consistent and interactive user interfaces.

‘COMCTL32.dll is missing‘ or ‘COMCTL32.dll was not found‘ errors typically occur when an application fails to locate the COMCTL32.dll file during its launch or installation. This may happen due to file corruption, accidental deletion or modification of the file, incompatibility issues with specific applications, or viruses or malware that targets system files. The complete error message reads:

The code execution cannot proceed because COMCTL32.dll was not found. Reinstalling the program may fix this problem.

Or

The program can’t start because COMCTL32.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.

If you’re experiencing the same issue, read this post to know how to fix the error.

Where is the comctl32 DLL file?

Comctl32.dll (Common Controls Library) is a part of the Windows operating system, and provides controls and functions for applications, like buttons, menus, scrollbars, etc. If this file is missing or corrupt, programs written in VB might now work properly.
In 32-bit versions of Windows, the file is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. However, in 64-bit versions of Windows, it exists in both C:\Windows\System32 (for 64-bit applications) and C:\Windows\SysWOW64 (for 32-bit applications). It can also appear in the WinSxS folder.

Fix COMCTL32.dll missing or not found on Windows 11

To fix COMCTL32.dll missing or not found error on your Windows 11/10 PC, use these solutions:

Re-register the COMCTL32.dll file
Run the SFC and DISM scans
Reinstall the program
Use System Restore
Manually download and re-register the file

Let us see this in detail.

1] Re-register the COMCTL32.dll file

Re-register the dll file using the following command, see if that works for you:

regsvr32 COMCTL32.dll

2] Run the SFC and DISM scans

Pperform the SFC and DISM scans. Running these scans is among the most effective solutions for fixing missing system DLL file errors.

To run the SFC scan, open Command Prompt as an administrator, type sfc /scannow, and press Enter. The above command will check your system for missing or corrupted system files and repair them automatically.

If running SFC doesn’t help, try running the DISM tool. It can repair the Windows system image, fixing deeper corruption that may be preventing SFC from working.

To run DISM, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in the same Command Prompt and press Enter.

Now reboot your PC to ensure any repairs made to the system are fully applied.

3] Reinstall the program

This solution should be used when the error occurs while using a specific program, indicating that the application’s DLL dependency might be damaged or missing. During reinstallation, all essential files of the program, including any missing or corrupted DLLs, are replaced with their fresh copies. The process ensures the program gets the required DLLs in the correct version and location.

To reinstall an app, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Locate the app in the list, click the three dots icon next to the app’s name, and select Uninstall. Follow the prompts to completely remove the app. Once uninstalled, reinstall the app by downloading it from its official website or the Microsoft Store. Reboot your PC and see if the error is gone.

4] Use System Restore

If you have previously created a restore point, using System Restore can help the issue by reverting your system to a state when the COMCTL32.dll file was intact.

To do this, search for ‘system restore’ in the Start menu, select Create a restore point, go to the System Protection tab, and click System Restore. Choose the restore point you created before the issue occurred and follow the prompts to complete the restoration process.

5] Manually download and re-register the file

Winbindex is a web service that provides information about Windows OS files and allows users to download them directly from Microsoft servers. If COMCTL32.dll is available through Winbindex, it can be a reliable source for obtaining the file.

Note: We do not recommend downloading DLLs from third-party websites due to potential security risks.

Visit the Winbindex website. Search for ‘comctl32.dll’. If available, download the file (ensure that the file matches your Windows version and architecture to avoid compatibility issues).

Note: If you end up downloading a ‘.blob’ file, simply rename it to ‘COMCTL32.dll’.

Once downloaded, place the DLL in the appropriate directory and re-register the DLL by running regsvr32 comctl32.dll in an elevated Command Prompt.

I hope this helps.

Read: Comctl32.ocx file is missing, not correctly registered or invalid error.

How do I fix a missing dll problem?

To fix a missing DLL error, try restarting your computer or uninstalling and reinstalling the affected program. Next, run the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files. If that doesn’t work, use the DISM tool to repair the Windows system image. Also ensure your Windows operating system is up to date, as updates can fix various issues, including missing DLL files.