С windows system32 user32 dll

Use a dedicated DLL fixing tool on your PC to resolve the error

by Sagar Naresh

Sagar is a web developer and technology journalist. Currently associated with WindowsReport and SamMobile. When not writing, he is either at the gym sweating it out or playing… read more

Updated on October 4, 2023

Users have reported coming across an error associated with the User32.dll file when trying to use a program on their Windows PC. This is one of the common DLL missing on Windows errors that you will face on your PC.

We will also explain what this Dynamic Link Library file means and how you can resolve errors associated with it. Let us get right into it.

What is User32.dll?

The User32.dll is a system DLL file that is used by the system to store graphical elements such as dialogue boxes, and windows.

If this gets corrupt, then you will issue it as soon as you open any program on your PC. The error message related to User32.dll could also pop up when the program wrongly accesses this DLL file.

It is usually located inside C:\Windows\System32 for 32-bit and for 64-bit in C:\Windows\SysWOW64\. Some of the common error messages that you will get related to User32.dll includes:

• User32.dll Not Found
• This application failed to start because User32.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem
• Cannot find (location)\User32.dll
• The file User32.dll is missing
• Cannot start (program). A required component is missing: User32.dll. Please install (program) again

Let us take a look at the solutions that will help you resolve the error related to User32.dll on your system.

How can I fix User32.dll errors?

Before getting into any complex troubleshooting, you should make sure that you are running the latest Windows update version on your PC.

This makes sure that there aren’t any version conflicts within your system. Now, let’s start with the solutions below.

1. Use a dedicated tool

To fix system-related DLL files, it is not advisable that you use any download website to get the specific DLL. This is because they could be infected and cause further harm to your PC.

So, to avoid such situations, we would suggest you use a dedicated and one of the best DLL fixing tools.

Using our suggestion, you will be able to fix system-related DLL 100%, and third-party DLL errors as well. You can further use it to clean out junk files on your PC and also boost your PC’s performance.

2. Run SFC Scan and DISM

1. Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
2. Type Command Prompt and run it as an admin.
3. Type the below command and press Enter. sfc /scannow
4. Wait for the process to complete.
5. Type the below commands and hit Enter after each one. dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Fixing the corrupt or missing system files can easily resolve most of the common DLL errors on your PC. Simply follow the steps and fix the problem.

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3. Reinstall the program

1. Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
2. Open Control Panel.
3. Select Programs and Features.
4. Choose your program and hit the Uninstall button.
5. Visit the official website of the program.
6. Download and install it on your PC.

Many of our readers have fixed the problem of User32.dll by simply reinstalling the program. You can follow the above steps and reinstall the program to resolve the issue.

4. Perform System Restore

1. Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
2. Type Create a restore point and open the appropriate result.
3. Select the drive where you have installed Windows OS, and choose System Restore.
4. Select the restore point and click Next.
5. Hit the Finish button to begin the system restore process.

If nothing works, then simply restore your system back to a state where everything was working normally on your PC by going through the System Restore process.

That is it from us in this guide. For users facing DLL missing errors on Windows 11, we have a guide that explains all the solutions to resolve the problem.

Several readers have also reported coming across the avformat-55.dll error, which you can easily resolve by applying the solutions in our guide.

We have also explained properly what is Wbload.dll and how you can fix Wbload.dll. Feel free to let us know in the comments below, which one of the above solutions resolved the User32.dll problem for you.

Get the fix for the error  USER32.dll not found on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10.

About “USER32.dll not found”

The following information on this error has been compiled by NeoSmart Technologies, based on the information gathered and reported by our global network of engineers, developers, and technicians or partner organizations.

Description and Symptoms

The error messages, alerts, warnings, and symptoms below are tied to this error.

Symptom 1: “USER32.dll not found” error screen on startup

The USER32.DLL file, which is usually located at the Windows\system32 folder, implements the Windows USER component that creates and manipulates the standard elements of the Windows user interface, such as the desktop, windows, and menus. It thus enables programs to implement a graphical user interface that matches the Windows look and feel. If this file becomes missing or corrupt, then the system is unable to load properly and the “USER32.dll not found” error screen appears.

Here is an example of “USER32.dll not found” error screen for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7:

STOP: c0000135 (Unable To Locate Component)
This application has failed to start because USER32.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix the problem.

On Windows 8 this error generates a more generic “Your PC did not start correctly” error screen:

Automatic Repair

Your PC did not start correctly
Press "Restart" to restart your PC, which can sometimes fix the problem. You can also press "Advanced options" to try other options to repair your PC.

While on Windows 10, it also causes a slightly different error screen to appear:

Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We're just collecting some error info, and then we'll restart for you(45% complete)
If you'd like to know more, you can search online later for this error: 0xc0000135

Causes of this Error

This error has been known to occur as a result of one of the following causes:

Cause 1: USER32.dll file is corrupt or missing

Virus attacks, power outages and disk write errors may cause files to become missing or corrupt. If that’s the case, then the operating system can’t find the USER32.dll file, and the boot process is halted with a “USER32.dll was not found ” error.

Fixing “USER32.dll not found” on Windows

Windows Setup CD/DVD Required!
Some of the solutions below require the use of the Microsoft Windows setup CD or DVD. If your PC did not come with a Windows installation disc or if you no longer have your Windows setup media, you can use Easy Recovery Essentials for Windows instead. EasyRE will automatically find and fix many problems, and can also be used to solve this problem with the directions below.

Fix #1: Replace USER32.dll

Windows Setup CD/DVD Required!
Some of the solutions below require the use of the Microsoft Windows setup CD or DVD. If your PC did not come with a Windows installation disc or if you no longer have your Windows setup media, you can use Easy Recovery Essentials for Windows instead. EasyRE will automatically find and fix many problems, and can also be used to solve this problem with the directions below.

If user32.dll is in fact missing or corrupt, you can restore the original user32.dll file back from your Windows XP installation disc.

Unable to boot into the Windows setup CD?
See our guide on setting up a PC to boot from the CD or DVD for troubleshooting and more detailed instructions.

1. Insert your XP CD into the computer.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Press any key to boot into the CD when you see the “Press any key to boot from CD” message.
4. Press R to start Recovery Console when the Options screen appears.
5. Type in your Administrator password followed by the Enter key to submit it.
6. You’ll reach the Command Prompt now, type the following command, where D:\ is your CD’s drive letter and C:\ is the letter of the drive you installed Windows to:

   expand D:\i386\user32.dl_ C:\Windows\system32\

7. Press Y when you are asked if you want to overwrite this file and then hit Enter to submit the command.
8. Restart your computer.

Here is an example of what the PC’s console output should look like once the USER32.dll file is properly restored:

Fix #2: Repair corrupted system files with the SFC command

On Windows Vista and Windows 7, it is possible to use the built-in Windows SFC(system file checker) tool to automatically scan a computer’s system files and repair them if necessary.

Here are the steps to run SFC:

1. Boot from your Windows install disc
2. Click on Repair your computer after selecting proper language, time and keyboard input.
3. Select the Windows installation drive, which is usually C:\, and click Next
4. Choose Command Prompt when the System Recovery Options box appears
5. Write the following command and press Enter afterwards:

   sfc /scannow /offbootdir=D:\ /offwindir=D:\Windows\

   Replace D: with the letter of the driver where Windows is installed, and D:\Windows with the Windows folder location.

Here is an example of what the PC’s console output should look like once the sfc.exe scan is complete and missing files are successfully restored:

Fix #3: Check the hard drive with CHKDSK utility

If the hard drive has its file integrity compromised, it is possible to use built-in Windows CHKDSK utility to scan the disk and fix the file system errors.

Here are the steps to run CHKDSK:

1. Boot from your Windows install disc
2. Click on Repair your computer after selecting proper language, time and keyboard input.
3. Select the Windows installation drive, which is usually C:\, and click Next
4. Choose Command Prompt when the System Recovery Options box appears
5. Write the following command and press Enter afterwards:

   chkdsk C: /f

   Replace C: with the letter of the driver where Windows is installed.

Here is an example of what the PC’s console output should look like once the chkdsk.exe is complete:

More Information

Linked Entries

• chkdsk

Support Links

• Easy Recovery Essentials for Windows – our repair and recovery disk.

  It’s an easy-to-use and automated diagnostics disk. It’s available for Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista. It’s also available for Windows XP and Windows Server.

  Read more at Windows Recovery Disks.

• The NeoSmart Support Forums, member-to-member technical support and troubleshooting.
• Get a discounted price on replacement setup and installation discs: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10.

Applicable Systems

This Windows-related knowledgebase article applies to the following operating systems:

• Windows XP (all editions)
• Windows Vista (all editions)
• Windows 7 (all editions)
• Windows 8 (all editions)
• Windows 8.1 (all editions)
• Windows 10 (all editions)

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