Crypt32.dll: What is it and How to Fix if it's Missing

Manually replacing the DLL file is the quickest fix

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crypt32.dll
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The crypt32.dll file, developed by Microsoft, performs Certificate and Cryptographic Messaging functions and is used by several programs in Windows, including Outlook, Norton, Skype, VirtualBox, and Valorant.

When it’s missing or corrupted, the error message reads, The program can’t start because crypt32.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem. This happens due to corrupted system files, issues with compatibility, malware infection, a buggy Windows update, and an improper app installation.

Before you proceed to the solutions, restart the PC, install all pending Windows and software updates, and disable any third-party security software. For most, these basic checks will fix the crypt32.dll not found error!

What can I do if crypt32.dll is missing?

1. Add/replace crypt32.dll in System32

When an application fails to launch and cites crypt32.dll as the faulting component, your primary approach should be to add (if missing) or replace the DLL on the PC. As for the storage path, the crypt32.dll location is: C:\Windows\System32

crypt32.dll location
Crypt32.dll in the System32 folder

To fix the DLL errors, on another PC running the same iteration and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) of Windows, go to the System32 folder > copy the crypt32.dll file to an external flash drive > connect the flash drive to the affected PC > move the file to the System32 folder > restart the computer to apply the changes.

2. Disable compatibility mode

  1. Right-click on the affected app’s launcher (.exe file), and select Properties.
  2. Go to the Compatibility tab, and untick the checkbox for Run this program in compatibility mode for.disable compatibility mode
  3. Click Apply and OK to save the changes and then restart the computer.

For several users facing the crypt32.dll incompatible with Outlook error, disabling compatibility mode did the trick!

3. Repair the corrupted system files

  1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Command Prompt, and click on Run as administrator.
  2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
  3. Paste the following DISM commands individually and hit Enter after each: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  4. Next, execute this command to run the SFC scan: sfc /scannowsfc scan to fix crypt32.dll
  5. Finally, restart the computer to apply the changes.

Since crypt32.dll is a system file, running the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) and SFC (System File Checker) scans will help fix things if corrupted system files are triggering DLL-related errors while launching an app.

4. Scan the PC for malware

  1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Windows Security in the text field, and click on the relevant result.
  2. Click on Virus & threat protection.windows security
  3. Click on Scan options.
  4. Select the Full scan entry and then click on Scan now.malware scan to fix crypt32.dll
  5. If Windows Security detects and eliminates any threats, verify whether crypt32.dll errors are fixed.

5. Uninstall the buggy Windows update

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings, go to Windows Updates from the navigation pane, and click Update history on the right.windows updates
  2. Scroll down and click on Uninstall updates.
  3. Click the Uninstall option next to the update downloaded around the same time you first encountered the error.uninstall updates to fix crypt32.dll
  4. Again, click Uninstall in the confirmation prompt.
  5. Once done, reboot the PC and check for improvements.

In the past, several Windows updates like KB3004394 have triggered errors with crypt32.dll, and uninstalling these updates fixed things in no time!

6. Reinstall the affected program

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and hit Enter.
  2. Select the app that is throwing the error from the list, and click onย Uninstall.reinstall app
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process and then restart the PC.

Sometimes, an app throws crypt32.dll errors due to an improper installation, and reinstalling the app will do the trick. If that doesn’t work, use a top-rated software uninstaller to wipe all traces of the previous app installation, including files and Registry entries that might still be conflicting with Windows!

7. Perform an in-place upgrade

Note icon NOTE
The steps listed below are for Windows 11. If you are running the previous iteration, learn how to perform an in-place upgrade on Windows 10.
  1. Go to Microsoft’s official website, select the product language and edition, and download the Windows 11 ISO.windows 11 iso
  2. Right-click on the ISO file, select Mount, and click Open in the confirmation prompt.
  3. Run the setup.exe file.setup.exe
  4. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
  5. Click Next to proceed.windows setup
  6. Now, click Accept to agree to Microsoft’s license terms.
  7. Make sure the setup reads, Keep personal files and apps, click on Install, and confirm the change.in-place upgrade to fix crypt32.dll
  8. Wait for the in-place upgrade to complete. It typically takes 30-90 minutes.

An in-place upgrade is akin to reinstalling Windows, but you don’t lose any stored files or apps. All the critical system files, including crypt32.dll, are replaced during the process.

Most crypt32.dll errors can be fixed by simply adding/replacing the DLL or repairing the system files. In app-level errors, you will have to reinstall the affected app. But in any case, the issue is easily fixable and shouldn’t take too long.

Before you leave, learn all about missing DLL errors in Windows and take the necessary measures to prevent them from reappearing!

For any queries or to share more fixes with our readers, drop a comment below.

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