Did you receive an error message which says “Ordinal not found“? Do you also see a reference to a missing DLL? Then it means the software is trying to find out the related file, and it is missing. Mathematically, Ordinal refers to the order of a number, e.g., 1st, 2nd, and so on. In this error message, it points to an n’th file of names, say, ABC.DLL which is missing. Hence the error message.
What is Ordinal error?
Ordinal errors occur when a program attempts to use a Dynamic Link Library (DLL) but calls it with an incorrect ordinal number, instead of the correct function name. This prevents the program from finding the required function, leading to errors. Typically, issues arise from software updates or missing DLL files.
Ordinal not found, The ordinal could not be located in the dynamic link library
If you receive an error message “The ordinal ABC could not be located in the dynamic link library C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft VS Code Insiders\code – insiders.exe“, then it means that computer is missing Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable on your computer.
ABC is a number which in turn is the Ordinal. Another common error message is “The ordinal 12404 could not be located in the dynamic link library mfc90u.dl”
The message could point out to any DLL in the message. All these DLL are part of the package, and as Visual Studio looks for that DLL, the error message changes a bit.
Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
This error message shows up when Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable is missing on your computer. Click here for the 32-bit version or here for the 64-bit version. If you are using an earlier version of Visual Studio, you can go here, and download as per your version.
After you install the Microsoft Visual C++ Feature Pack Redistributable Package, this error message should not appear again.
Install OpenSSL
When you receive the same error message, but it says LIBEAY32.DLL is missing, then you need to install OpenSSL. The complete error message goes as below:
Ordinal not found. The Ordinal [ABC] could not be located in the Dynamic Link Library Libeay32.dll.
When installing OpenSSL, make sure to install it into the Windows system directory. Libeay32.dll is related to security.
Check with Windows Update
Many times, Microsoft rolls out the framework and related updates through Windows. It is possible that an update related to it is still pending. Go to Settings > Update and Security. Check if an update is pending, and if yes, update and restart your computer if necessary.
Since the possibility of Ordinal not found error message could be vast, it is best to search with a specific number to get an accurate result.
What is a Dynamic link library error?
A Dynamic Link Library (DLL) error occurs when a required DLL file is missing, corrupted, or incompatible, preventing applications from executing properly. Common causes include malware infections, file corruption and incorrect software installations. Ensuring system updates and regular malware scans can help prevent these errors and maintain system functionality.
How to fix The procedure entry point could not be located in the dynamic link?
To fix “The procedure entry point could not be located in the dynamic link” error, first ensure all system updates are installed. Next, reinstall the problematic application, as this may replace missing files. Additionally, check and update related drivers. A system reboot can also help resolve the issue.
