Fix ERROR_DELAY_LOAD_FAILED 0x00000505 on Windows

Quick answer for advanced users

Run sfc /scannow in Command Prompt (Admin), then DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. Reboot. If it still happens, reinstall the app that's crashing.

What this error means

I've seen this error a lot on Windows 10 and 11. The error code 0x00000505 pops up when a program tries to load a DLL file at startup but fails. The program starts okay, then hits this 'delay load' part and gives up. It's not a virus. It's not your hardware dying. It's usually a corrupted system file or a missing Visual C++ runtime. I remember a user whose Photoshop kept throwing this after a Windows update. We fixed it in 5 minutes.

The 'delay load' part means the DLL isn't loaded right away when the program starts. It waits until the program actually needs it. That's why the error can show up a few seconds after you open the app. Annoying, I know.

Fix steps (main method)

Open Command Prompt as Admin
Hit the Windows key, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, choose 'Run as administrator'. Yes, you need admin rights for this.
Run System File Checker
Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. This checks all Windows system files. Let it finish — it takes 5-15 minutes. If it finds corrupted files, it'll replace them. Don't close the window.
Run DISM to fix the system image
Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. DISM fixes the files that SFC uses. This step is the real fix for 90% of cases. It also takes a while. Let it finish.
Reboot your PC
Restart normally. No special boot mode needed.
Try the app again
Open the program that gave the error. It should work now.

Alternative fixes if the main one fails

Sometimes SFC and DISM don't cut it. Here's what else you can try:

Reinstall the crashing app — Uninstall it completely, reboot, then install the latest version from the official site. This fixes missing DLLs that belong to the app.
Repair Visual C++ runtimes — Many apps need these. Download the 'Visual C++ Redistributable All-in-One' from Microsoft's site. Run the installer, it'll repair broken versions.
Run Windows Update — Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. Install any pending updates. Some updates fix underlying issues.
Check for malware — Run a full scan with Windows Defender or your antivirus. Malware sometimes breaks DLL loading.

I once had a user who tried everything, and the fix was updating his graphics driver. So also check for driver updates if the app is graphics-heavy.

Prevention tip

Keep Windows and your apps updated. Don't skip updates. Also, avoid downloading apps from shady sites — they often come with broken or missing files. If you use a system cleaner like CCleaner, don't let it delete shared DLLs. That's a common cause of this error.

Pro tip: If you see this error right after installing a new app, uninstall that app first. It might be incompatible with your system. Check the app's system requirements before reinstalling.

That's it. You should be good now. If not, the issue might be deeper — like a failing hard drive. But 99% of the time, SFC and DISM solve it.