Have you encountered error 126 when trying to launch your favorite game? It's unpleasant, but you're not alone. This problem occurs quite often and is usually associated with the absence of important system files that the game needs to run. Don't worry — in most cases, everything can be resolved fairly quickly.
Most often, the culprit is a damaged or missing DLL library. Imagine that a game is a construction set, and these files are the missing pieces without which it cannot be assembled. Usually, the system cannot find a specific file and therefore displays this error.
Let's figure out what can be done. We'll check the most common and effective methods, starting with a simple reinstallation and ending with updating drivers. Most likely, one of these methods will help you get back to the game.
Error code 126 when starting the game usually means that the system cannot find or run one of the necessary files — most often this is due to a missing or damaged program, such as Visual C++ Redistributable or .NET Framework. Sometimes the problem is caused by an incorrect file path, antivirus software blocking the launch, or a corrupted installation of the game itself. This can be solved by restarting the game as an administrator, installing or reinstalling the necessary components, checking the game folder for all files, and temporarily disabling the antivirus. In most cases, the problem can be solved with simple steps — the main thing is not to panic and check everything in order.
Method 1: Checking the Windows “Protection Log”
As a rule, error code 126 associated with a DLL file when trying to run a game occurs in cases where the operating system's security features or third-party antivirus software block suspicious files, which are often problematic DLLs in the form of various modifications. It follows that you will need to check “Protection Log” Windows to unlock such game files:
- Use the system search bar to find the built-in application “Windows Security”.
- Select the section “Protection from viruses and threats”.
- Click on the line “Security log”.
- Now you can see if any suspicious items that could be related to the problematic game have been blocked. If so, manually unblock them.
This will allow the file, whose operation was restricted by the built-in protection tool, to function correctly again, and error code 126 will disappear, as the missing DLL will start interacting with the software again.
Method 2: Antivirus exception list
If there are blocked files in “Protection Log” no, try adding the game installation file and the installation location to the built-in exception list. “Windows Defender” or third-party antivirus software. In this case, the data will not be checked, nor will potentially dangerous files that may be embedded in the installer be deleted. Adding the game installation location will also mean that even after unpacking all components, the antivirus software will not take any action, and the DLL will not be blocked or deleted. For information on how to add a file or directory to the list of exceptions, please refer to our separate articles.
More details:
Creating exceptions in Windows 11 / Windows 10 Defender
Adding a program to antivirus exceptions
Method 3: Using an archiver
Strangely enough, the problem can sometimes be solved by opening the problematic game installer through an archiver program. This option also applies to situations where the error is caused by a missing/corrupted DLL file required to run the game.
This option is suitable if the game is already installed, but the directory with the installation file and other components downloaded from a third-party source is still on the computer.
You can use any archiver, such as 7-Zip, which, incidentally, is available free of charge, unlike most similar products. Before following the instructions below, add the game location to the list of exceptions so that antivirus software no longer scans the file directory for suspicious files, otherwise the situation may repeat itself and the DLL will be blocked again.
Download 7-Zip
- Button. Follow the link and download the archiver to your computer, if necessary, then install it. After that, you can try to open the folder with the game resources through it. It is even suitable for displaying the contents of ISO images. Launch 7-Zip File Manager, which integrates into the system after installation.
- Go to the location where the installer files are stored. If there is a DL that is missing or damaged, extract it to the folder where the installed game files are located. Right-click on the file and select the item from the context menu “Copy to”.
- Next, specify the path to the game folder by clicking on the button with three dots and copy the DLL there.
If the directory with the problematic game data has already been added to the list of exceptions, and the cause of error 162 is a DLL that may have been blocked or deleted, then the problem should be solved and you will be able to run the game.
Method 4: Verify the integrity of the game in Steam
If the error in question appears when launching the game through the Steam client, then it is likely that its files are simply corrupted for some reason, such as a system crash or virus activity. The client itself has a feature that allows you to check the game data and cache for integrity and restore them if necessary. Go to our separate article to learn how to scan a game installed through Steam.
More details: Checking the integrity of game files in Steam
Method 5: Install/update libraries
If, in addition to the error code, something else related to the system is mentioned, then you may need to install libraries and components of the Windows operating system, such as missing DirectX or Microsoft Visual C++ files. In Windows 10 and 11, libraries such as Microsoft .NET Framework and DirectX are already pre-installed, so updating the operating system itself is often sufficient to restore the components.
More info: Updating Windows 11 / Windows 10 to the latest version
If necessary, you can reinstall Microsoft .NET Framework using the built-in OS tools or third-party tools. This option is relevant if, even after updating Windows, the library cannot function stably due to damaged files.
More info: Reinstalling Microsoft .NET Framework in Windows 11 / Windows 10
See also: Why .NET Framework 4 won't install
The same applies to the set of components for interacting with DirectX video and audio equipment. Although it comes with versions 10 and 11 of the OS, sometimes you need to reinstall or add missing components yourself, as we wrote about in more detail earlier.
More details:
Reinstall and add missing DirectX components in Windows
How to update DirectX libraries
Owners of all versions of Microsoft operating systems must additionally install Microsoft Visual C++, a set of libraries and development tools in the C++ language. Even if you already have the components installed, they may be damaged, which is why error 126 occurs when you start the game.
Download Microsoft Visual C++ from the official website
- Follow the link above to the official Microsoft website and download the latest version of the libraries, taking into account the bitness of your operating system.
- Run the downloaded installation file and in the installer window that opens, select “I accept the license terms”, then click the button “Install”.
- The library components will then begin to unpack, and you will see the progress in the window.
- Upon completion, you will be prompted to restart your computer. Confirm the action by clicking the appropriate button.
If the libraries are already on your system but are damaged or outdated, the installer window will display a message about changing the installation. Click “Fix”, to ensure that all problems are resolved.
You can also read the article on our website, which discusses the most common errors during component installation and possible ways to fix them.
In addition, sometimes you have to resort to a complete reinstallation of Microsoft Visual C++ if neither the update nor the fix helped. In this case, you will need to completely remove all previous versions of the software, then restart your computer and return to the instructions above. For information on how to properly remove components from the system, see our separate guide.
More details: Removing Microsoft Visual C++ components from your computer
Method 6: Restore point
If error 126 started appearing not long ago when launching the game, and everything was working fine before that, it is likely that recent changes in system settings or third-party programs that interfere with the overall functioning of the system and the game itself are to blame. In this situation, it makes sense to try to roll back the OS to its previous state using restore points. This method will work if they have already been created, either automatically or manually. This way, the cause that appeared after the point was created will be eliminated. For example, if it is software, it will be deleted, and the settings will return to their previous state. Our authors have written about how to use this feature correctly in different versions of the operating system.
More details: Rollback to a restore point in Windows 11 / Windows 10 / Windows 7
Error 126, although it looks scary, is usually quite easy to fix. The main thing is not to panic and to systematically check the most likely causes.
As we have discovered, the problem most often lies in damaged or missing DirectX or Visual C++ library files. The most reliable way is to reinstall them by downloading the official packages from the Microsoft website. Don't forget to restart your computer afterwards.
If that doesn't help, check your antivirus software. Sometimes it mistakenly blocks important game files, mistaking them for threats. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus protection or adding the game folder to the exceptions list.
In any case, by slowly going through these options, you are sure to find a solution. Error 126 is not a death sentence for your game, but only a temporary obstacle that can be overcome.
