.dll Error
Cortney Ruic
When you try to use a program on your computer, you receive an error that includes the User32.dll file in its description. This problem may occur for several reasons. This article contains general step-by-step methods that you can use to try to resolve this problem. The step-by-step procedures in this article will not take very much time to be completed.
This content is designed for a beginner computer user.
Windows stores instructions for graphical elements such as dialog boxes and windows in the User32.dll file. The User32.dll file is necessary to the operation of Windows. If this file is damaged, deleted, or removed, the system will no longer work correctly. If a program or a service accesses User32.dll incorrectly, the program or the service will not work correctly.
User32.dll errors are typically corrected by repairing the User32.dll file or by reinstalling the program, the hardware component, or the driver that is causing the error. If these procedures do not correct the User32.dll error, you can restore your computer to a condition before the error appeared by using the Windows System Restore feature.
Note If you cannot start Windows because of a User32.dll error, see the "Start your computer in safe mode and use System Restore" section.
Error messages are the most common symptom of User32.dll problems. User32.dll error messages describe the source of the error and indicate that the User32.dll file is involved in the error.
Here is an example of a User32.dll error message:
In this example, program refers to the name of a program that caused the User32.dll error message.
This article discusses some common causes of User32.dll error messages. Additionally, this article contains some common resolution methods. Start with the first resolution method, and if the problem that you are experiencing persists, go to the next method.
We recommend that you update your antivirus software after you run Windows Update. For more information about antivirus software that Microsoft supports, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
You can also receive updates for Windows, Microsoft Office and other Microsoft applications in Microsoft Update. Microsoft Update brings you all the features and benefits of Windows Update plus downloads for other Microsoft applications that include Office. To use Microsoft Update, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
Under Recommended updates, click to select the Include recommended updates when downloading, installing, or notifying me about updates check box, and then click OK. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or provide confirmation.
For more information about how to schedule automatic updates in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, and in Windows 2000, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
If the User32.dll error message appeared during or after you installed a program, a hardware component, or a driver, uninstall the program, the hardware component, or the driver. Then restart Windows, and reinstall the program, the hardware component, or the driver.
In Windows Vista: For information about how to reinstall programs, hardware or drivers in Windows Vista, click Start, click Help and Support, and then click Troubleshooting. You can also search for "uninstall or change a program," for "install a program," or for "installing new hardware."
In Windows XP: For information about how to repair programs, hardware, or drivers in Windows XP, click Start, click Help and Support, and then click Fixing a problem. You can also search for "add a program" or for "using add hardware."
It is best to let Windows automatically install drivers for your hardware. You should avoid manually updating a driver unless Windows is unable to find a driver for one of your devices, and you were able to obtain a driver some other way. Or, you may have to manually update a driver if technical support personnel ask you to install drivers from a disc or from the device manufacturer's Web site. If you decide to manually update a driver, follow these steps:
If you are not sure which programs on your computer are using User32.dll, use the Tasklist command-line tool to determine the programs that are currently using User32.dll. The Tasklist command-line tool displays the names of all programs that currently use User32.dll. To use Tasklist, follow these steps:
You can use Windows System Restore feature to restore Windows Vista and Windows XP to a time before you received the User32.dll error. For information about how to use System Restore in Windows Vista, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
306084 How to restore the operating system to a previous state in Windows XP
Important We recommend that you run Windows Update after you perform a system restore. For more information, see Method 1. We also recommend that you update your antivirus software after you run Windows Update. For more information about antivirus software that Microsoft supports, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
If you cannot start System Restore, you can use Windows safe mode to start System Restore. For information about how to start Windows Vista in safe mode and to use System Restore, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
304449 How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP
Use the Backup or Restore Wizard in Windows Server 2003 and in Windows 2000 to restore your computer to a time before you received the User32.dll error.For more information about how to restore Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
315396 How to troubleshoot startup problems in Windows 2000
Important We recommend that you run Windows Update after you perform a system restore. For more information, see Method 1. We also recommend that you update your antivirus software after you have run Windows Update. For more information about antivirus software supported by Microsoft, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
If you try to perform the task that resulted in the User32.dll error message, and the error message persists, unfortunately this content is unable to help you any further. So, your next step is to see the "Advanced Troubleshooting" section in this article. If you must use advanced troubleshooting, and you are not an advanced user, you might want to ask someone for help, or you might want to contact Support:
Some User32.dll errors can be fixed by restoring the original User32.dll file from your Windows CD. Restoring the User32.dll file replaces the copy of User32.dll on your computer by using the original copy of User32.dll that is contained on your Windows CD.
You can use this method if you are running one of the following Windows operating systems:
936212 How to repair the operating system and how to restore the operating system configuration to an earlier point in time in Windows Vista
Note You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first.
Before you perform this procedure you should have the Windows installation CD.
Important We recommend that you run Windows Update after you restore a file by using Recovery Console. For more information, see the "Method 1: Use Windows Update to obtain any fixes that are related to User32.dll" section. We also recommend that you update your antivirus software after you have run Windows Update. For more information about antivirus software that Microsoft supports, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
System File Checker lets you scan all protected files to verify their versions. If System File Checker discovers that a protected file has been overwritten, it retrieves the correct version of the file from the cache folder (%Systemroot%\System32\Dllcache) or from the Windows installation source files, and then replaces the incorrect file. You must be logged on as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group to run System File Checker. For more information about how to use the System File Checker tool, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
When a program or a service tries to use a damaged, a missing, or a corrupted User32.dll, you receive an error message. In some cases, the error message occurs because a program or a service is trying to use User32.dll incorrectly.
For any User32.dll error, the error message indicates the cause of the specific problem, and the error message helps you determine how to fix the problem. Typically, User32.dll errors result from one or more of the following causes:
The User32.dll file is damaged, renamed or removed: The User32.dll file could be damaged during a system or software update. A damaged User32.dll file might be missing a routine that is required by a program that you installed. When the program tries to call these routines, an error occurs. A user might accidentally rename or remove the User32.dll file.
Program files are damaged or missing: If programs that call routines in User32.dll have damaged or missing files, the programs can make invalid calls to routines in User32.dll. Invalid calls to routines in User32.dll result in User32.dll errors.
Software calls for functions that do not exist in User32.dll: If a software program calls for functions in User32.dll that are not present, an error message occurs. This problem can occur if software is run on the wrong version of Windows.
Driver problems occur: Missing or damaged drivers or incompatible driver versions can result in calls to routines in User32.dll that are invalid. Invalid calls to routines in User32.dll result in User32.dll errors messages.
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