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0xC0000135ApplicationHigh

Error 0xC0000135 — STATUS_DLL_NOT_FOUND | Application Error Fix

Windows 10Windows 11Windows Server 2016Windows Server 2019Windows Server 2022

What Does 0xC0000135 Mean?

The application failed to initialize properly because the required DLL was not found. A dynamic link library referenced by the application is missing from the system.

Real-World Causes

  1. 1Required DLL was deleted or moved from the system directory
  2. 2Application was not properly installed and DLLs are missing
  3. 3Visual C++ Redistributable or .NET Framework is not installed
  4. 4Antivirus quarantined a DLL it considered suspicious
  5. 5Windows Update removed or replaced a DLL the application depends on

Symptoms

  • ⚠Application fails to start with 'DLL not found' error dialog
  • ⚠Error message naming the specific missing DLL file
  • ⚠Application icon becomes blank or generic
  • ⚠Event Viewer shows SideBySide or Application Error events

DIY Fix

Beginner-friendly steps you can try at home

  1. 1Reinstall the application to restore missing DLLs
  2. 2Install the latest Visual C++ Redistributable packages from Microsoft
  3. 3Install or repair .NET Framework from Windows Features
  4. 4Run 'sfc /scannow' to restore missing system DLLs

Advanced Fix

For experienced users and IT professionals

  1. 1Use Dependency Walker or Dependencies.exe to identify all missing DLLs
  2. 2Check antivirus quarantine for the missing DLL and restore it
  3. 3Manually register a DLL: regsvr32 <dll-path>
  4. 4Use 'DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth' to repair the component store

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I download DLLs from the internet?
No. Never download DLLs from third-party websites as they may contain malware. Instead, reinstall the application, install the correct redistributable package, or use sfc /scannow to restore system DLLs.
Which Visual C++ Redistributable do I need?
Install all available versions (2012, 2013, 2015-2022) in both x86 and x64 to cover most applications. Download them from the official Microsoft website under 'Visual C++ Redistributable downloads'.

Related Error Codes

0xC0000139STATUS_ENTRYPOINT_NOT_FOUND0xC0000142STATUS_DLL_INIT_FAILED0xC0000034STATUS_OBJECT_NAME_NOT_FOUND

About the Author

Windows Troubleshooting Team

Verified against official Microsoft documentation and real-world diagnostic data. Error behavior confirmed across Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server.