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D3DX9-DLL-MISSING

DLL Errors d3dx9_43.dll Is Missing Applies to: Windows 7, Windows 10, Windows 11

What it means

This file is part of DirectX, specifically an older version many games still depend on. This message means that specific DirectX component isn't installed, which is common since it's not always included in the DirectX version Windows ships with by default.

Also seen as: d3dx9_43.dll was not found, The program can't start because d3dx9_43.dll is missing, d3dx9_43.dll is missing from your computer

Quick fix steps

  1. Install the DirectX End-User Runtime directly from Microsoft's own site — despite Windows including a newer version of DirectX built in, this legacy runtime installer specifically adds the older D3DX and XInput components many games still need, including this exact file.
  2. Update your graphics driver via Device Manager or your GPU manufacturer's site, since driver-level DirectX support can also factor in.
  3. Restart your PC after installing, even if not explicitly prompted, before testing whether the error is gone.
  4. If the error is tied to one specific older game, verify the game's files through its launcher (Steam, for example, has a "Verify integrity of game files" option) in case a game-specific copy of the file is what's actually missing.
For the full step-by-step walkthrough, see How to Fix a Missing or Not Found DLL File Error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do modern games need such an old DirectX component?
Older or budget game engines built years ago sometimes still depend on the legacy D3DX libraries even if the game itself is otherwise compatible with modern Windows — this doesn't mean the game itself is old, just that specific component.
Will installing the DirectX End-User Runtime affect my current DirectX version?
No — it adds the legacy components alongside what Windows already has, without downgrading or replacing your existing, more current DirectX installation.

Other error codes

MSVCP140-DLL-MISSING — MSVCP140.dll Is Missing or Not Found

MSVCP140.dll is part of the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable — a shared component many different programs and games depend on. This message means that redistributable package isn't installed, or its installation has become damaged, not that anything is wrong with the program itself.

VCRUNTIME140-DLL-MISSING — VCRUNTIME140.dll Was Not Found

The same underlying cause as MSVCP140.dll — this is another file from the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable package, and the fix is identical.

API-MS-WIN-CRT-DLL-MISSING — api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll Is Missing

This specific file is part of the Universal C Runtime, closely related to the Visual C++ Redistributable — a shared component many programs depend on. This message means it isn't installed or has become damaged.

XINPUT1-3-DLL-MISSING — XInput1_3.dll Is Missing

Another DirectX component, specifically the one handling Xbox-style controller input — common with older games that support gamepad input. Like d3dx9_43.dll, it's part of a legacy DirectX runtime not always included by default.