Gdi32.dll Errors
There are several ways gdi32.dll errors can show up on your computer. Here are some of the more common error messages you might see:
Gdi32. dll Not FoundThis application failed to start because gdi32. dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problemCannot find [PATH]\gdi32. dllThe file gdi32. dll is missingCannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: gdi32. dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again
Gdi32.dll error messages might appear while using or installing certain programs or when Windows starts or shuts down. The context of the error is an important piece of information that will be helpful while solving the problem.
The gdi32.dll error message could apply to any program or system that might utilize the file on any of Microsoft’s operating systems, including Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000.
How to Fix Gdi32.dll Errors
Follow these steps in the order they’re presented to address the simpler solutions first.
Restore gdi32. dll from the Recycle Bin. The easiest possible cause of a “missing” gdi32. dll file is that you’ve mistakenly deleted it. If you suspect this, but you’ve already emptied the Recycle Bin, you may be able to recover the file with a free file recovery program. Start Windows in Safe Mode to complete any of these steps if you’re unable to access Windows normally due to the error. Run the sfc/scannow System File Checker command to replace a missing or corrupt copy of the gdi32. dll file. Fortunately, since gdi32. dll is associated with Microsoft’s graphics device interface (GDI), it’s provided by them, so System File Checker should restore it and fix any related errors. Run a virus/malware scan of your entire system. Some gdi32. dll errors could be related to a virus or other malware infection on your computer that has damaged the DLL file. It’s even possible that the gdi32. dll error you’re seeing is related to a hostile program that’s masquerading as the file. Use System Restore to undo recent system changes. If you suspect that the gdi32. dll error was caused by a change made to an important file or configuration, a System Restore could solve the problem. Reinstall the program that uses the gdi32. dll file. If the gdi32. dll DLL error occurs when you use a particular program, reinstalling the program might fix the DLL error. Although gdi32. dll probably isn’t provided by third-party programs since it’s a Microsoft Windows file, reinstalling the program that shows the error might help reassociate it with the DLL file. Update the drivers for hardware devices that might be related to gdi32. dll. If, for example, you’re receiving a “The file gdi32. dll is missing” error when you play a 3D video game, try updating the drivers for your video card. Roll back a driver to a previously installed version if gdi32. dll errors began after updating a particular hardware device’s driver. Install any available Windows updates. Many service packs and other patches replace or update some of the hundreds of Microsoft distributed DLL files on your computer. The gdi32. dll file could be included in one of those updates. Test your memory and then test your hard drive. We’ve left the majority of hardware troubleshooting to the last step, but your computer’s memory and hard drive are easy to test and are the most likely components that might cause gdi32. dll errors as they fail. If the hardware fails any of your tests, replace the memory or replace the hard drive as soon as possible. Repair your installation of Windows. If the individual gdi32. dll file troubleshooting advice above is unsuccessful, performing a startup repair or repair installation should restore all Windows DLL files to their working versions. Use a free registry cleaner to repair gdi32. dll related issues in the registry. A free registry cleaner program may be able to help by removing invalid gdi32. dll registry entries that might be causing the DLL error. We rarely recommend the use of registry cleaners. They’re included here as a “last resort” attempt before the destructive step coming up next. Perform a clean installation of Windows. This erases everything from the hard drive and installs a fresh copy of Windows. If none of the steps above correct the error, this should be your next course of action. All the information on your hard drive will be erased during a clean installation. Make sure you’ve made the best attempt possible to fix the gdi32. dll error using a troubleshooting step prior to this one. Troubleshoot for a hardware problem if any gdi32. dll errors persist. After a clean install of Windows, your DLL problem can only be hardware related.
Need More Help?
If you’re not interested in fixing this problem yourself, see How Do I Get My Computer Fixed? for a full list of your support options, plus help with everything along the way like figuring out repair costs, getting your files off, choosing a repair service, and a lot more.
If you suspect this, but you’ve already emptied the Recycle Bin, you may be able to recover the file with a free file recovery program.
Fortunately, since gdi32.dll is associated with Microsoft’s graphics device interface (GDI), it’s provided by them, so System File Checker should restore it and fix any related errors.
Although gdi32.dll probably isn’t provided by third-party programs since it’s a Microsoft Windows file, reinstalling the program that shows the error might help reassociate it with the DLL file.
If the hardware fails any of your tests, replace the memory or replace the hard drive as soon as possible.
