"MSVCR120.dll missing" error in Windows games – fix it

1. The real cause – missing Visual C++ 2013 package

99% of the time this error shows because the Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2013 isn't installed. It's not a virus, it's not a broken game file. The game needs a specific runtime DLL that Windows doesn't have by default.

You'll see this error when launching older games like Darksiders II, BioShock Infinite, and some indie titles. The exact message is: "The program can't start because MSVCR120.dll is missing from your computer."

Step-by-step fix

1. Go to Microsoft's official download page for Visual C++ Redistributable 2013. Direct link: x64 version and x86 version. You should download both – even if you have 64-bit Windows, some games need the 32-bit version.
2. Run the installer. Accept the license terms. Click "Install".
3. When it finishes, restart your computer. Don't skip this – Windows needs to register the DLLs in the system.
4. After reboot, launch the game. The error should be gone.

If you still see the error, move to the next fix.

2. The package is already installed but corrupted

Sometimes the Visual C++ 2013 package is installed but the DLL got corrupted, or the uninstaller didn't clean up properly. This happens if you installed a game that came with its own older version of the redistributable, then uninstalled it.

Fix – uninstall and reinstall

1. Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl, press Enter.
2. In the list of installed programs, look for anything named "Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable". There may be two entries – one for x86, one for x64.
3. Select each one and click "Uninstall". Follow the prompts.
4. Reboot your computer.
5. Now reinstall both versions from the official Microsoft links above. Install x64 first, then x86.
6. Reboot again. Test the game.

This is the second most common fix. If it still fails, try the third option.

3. Wrong version of the DLL in system folders

Some users download MSVCR120.dll from third-party websites and drop it into C:\Windows\System32 or the game folder. Don't do this. Those files are often outdated, unsigned, or carry malware. Windows will reject them or the game will crash anyway.

Fix – clean up old copies

1. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\System32.
2. Search for msvcr120.dll. If you find it, right-click → Properties → Details tab. Check the file version. Should be 12.0.21005.1 or newer, and signed by Microsoft.
3. If the version is different or unsigned, delete the file. You'll need admin permission – click Yes.
4. Do the same in C:\Windows\SysWOW64 (that's the 32-bit folder on 64-bit systems).
5. After deleting, reinstall the Visual C++ 2013 package as described in fix #2.

After this, the error should be gone. If not, check the game's install folder for a _CommonRedist subfolder – some older games include their own redistributable files. Run the installer from there.

Quick reference table

I've seen users spend hours scanning for viruses or reinstalling games. The real fix is almost always the Visual C++ package. Start with fix #1 and you'll be playing in five minutes.