How to Repair Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

If you’re getting errors like – Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Error, The program can’t start because MSVCP140.dll is missing, or if your applications randomly crash or fail to launch, you might not need to uninstall or reinstall anything. In many cases, simply repairing your existing Visual C++ Redistributable packages can fix the problem instantly.

These redistributables are essential system components that allow programs built with Microsoft’s C and C++ frameworks to run properly. If any of these files become corrupted or misconfigured, you may experience system instability or app crashes.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step methods to repair your Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables safely on Windows 11.

What Are Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables?

Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables are a collection of runtime libraries required by applications built using Visual Studio. Each version (2005, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2019, and 2022) contains essential files that allow programs to function correctly.

Over time, these redistributables can become:

Corrupted by failed updates
Overwritten by third-party software
Deleted accidentally
Or misconfigured due to registry changes

When that happens, programs may fail to start or throw runtime errors. Repairing them helps restore missing or broken components without having to reinstall everything manually.

Method 1: Repair Visual C++ Redistributables via Control Panel

The easiest and most effective way to repair these packages is directly from Windows’ Control Panel or Settings.

Press Windows + R, type: appwiz.cpl and press Enter to open Programs and Features.
Scroll through the list and find all entries that start with:
Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
For each version (e.g., 2010, 2013, 2015–2022), do the following:
- Select the package.
- Click Change on the top bar.
- In the pop-up window, click Repair.
Repeat this process for every version — both x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit).
Once done, restart your computer.

Pro Tip: Even if you’re using a 64-bit version of Windows, you must repair both x86 and x64 redistributables, as many 32-bit applications still rely on them.

Method 2: Use the Windows Settings App to Repair Redistributables

If you’re on Windows 11 or prefer the new Settings interface:

Open Settings → Apps → Installed Apps.
Search for “Microsoft Visual C++”.
Click the three-dot menu (⋯) next to each package.
Select Modify → then choose Repair.
Wait for Windows to complete the repair process.

Repeat this for all installed versions, then restart your PC.

Note: The repair process re-registers and replaces missing files automatically, without affecting other apps.

Method 3: Repair Using the Command Line (Advanced Users)

You can also launch the repair process directly from Command Prompt if the GUI repair option fails or is missing.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Navigate to the redistributable installer’s location (for example, your Downloads folder): cd C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Downloads
Run this command to trigger a repair (replace the file name with your version): vc_redist.x64.exe /repair /quiet /norestart or vc_redist.x86.exe /repair /quiet /norestart
Wait a few minutes for the process to finish silently.
Restart your PC once it’s done.

Pro Tip: You can download the latest Visual C++ redistributables directly from Microsoft if you no longer have the original installers. Download Latest Visual C++ Redistributables

Method 4: Reinstall (If Repair Fails)

If the repair option doesn’t fix the problem or isn’t available, reinstalling the redistributables is the next best step.

Open Control Panel → Programs and Features.
Uninstall all Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable entries.
Restart your PC.
Visit Microsoft’s official site and download both the x64 and x86 redistributables: Visual C++ Redistributable Downloads
Install both versions and restart your computer again.

This ensures you have a clean, fully working installation of all necessary runtime components.

Method 5: Run System File Checker (SFC) to Repair Windows Components

Sometimes Visual C++ errors occur due to corrupted Windows system files, not just the redistributables themselves.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Run this command: sfc /scannow
Wait for the scan to complete (this may take 10–15 minutes).
Restart your PC once done.

If SFC finds errors but can’t repair them, run DISM next:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Once finished, rerun the repair steps for your Visual C++ redistributables.

Method 6: Check for Windows Updates

Outdated system components can interfere with Visual C++ runtime libraries.

Go to Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates.
Download and install all pending updates.
Restart your computer.

Many Visual C++ components are included in Windows updates, so staying current ensures stability.

Wrapping Up

Repairing your Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables is one of the fastest ways to fix missing DLLs, runtime errors, and application crashes — without having to reinstall everything from scratch.

By simply opening the Modify → Repair option or using the Command Prompt repair command, you can restore stability to your Windows 11 system in just a few minutes.

If the issue persists even after repairing, try reinstalling all redistributables using the official installers or the All-in-One Runtime Pack for a clean, complete setup.

Keep your system updated, and your apps will continue running smoothly — no more runtime error popups!