How to fix Msstdfmt.dll Not Found error

The msstdfmt.dll error message can occur with any program or system that can use the file on any Microsoft operating system, including Windows 10, Windows 8, etc.

Error Msstdfmt.dll

There are a number of different ways that msstdfmt.dll errors can appear on a computer. Here are some of the more common ways you can get the msstdfmt.dll error:

1. Msstdfmt.dll Not Found
2. This application failed to start because msstdfmt.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.
3. Cannot find [PATH]msstdfmt.dll
4. The file msstdfmt.dll is missing.
5. Cannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: msstdfmt.dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again.

These error messages can appear while using or installing certain programs, when Windows starts or shuts down, or maybe even during Windows installation. The context of the error is an important piece of information that will be useful while solving the problem.

How to fix Msstdfmt.dll . error

Do not download msstdfmt.dll from the "download DLL" site. There are many reasons why downloading DLL files is a bad idea. If you need a copy of msstdfmt.dll, it's best to get it from the original official source.

Start Windows in Safe Mode to complete any of the following steps if you cannot access Windows normally because of the msstdfmt.dll error.

1. Restore msstdfmt.dll from Recycle Bin

The easiest possible reason why the msstdfmt.dll file is "missing" is because you deleted it by mistake.

If you suspect you've accidentally deleted a file and emptied the Recycle Bin, you can restore it with a free file recovery program.

Important Note : Reverting a file deletion is only a smart idea if you are confident that you deleted the file yourself and that it was working properly before you did.

2. Run a virus/malware scan on the entire system

Some msstdfmt.dll errors may be related to a virus or other malware infection on the computer that has corrupted the DLL file. It is even possible that the error you are experiencing is related to a malicious program that is masquerading as a file.

3. Use System Restore to undo recent system changes

If you suspect that the msstdfmt.dll error is caused by changes made to important files or configurations, System Restore may be able to resolve the problem.

4. Reinstall the application using this file

If a DLL error occurs when you use a particular program, reinstalling the program will replace the file.

Important Note : Please do your best to complete this step. Reinstalling the program that provides the msstdfmt.dll file, if possible, is a possible solution to this error.

5. Run the command sfc /scannow

Run the System File Checker sfc /scannow command to replace the missing or damaged copy of the msstdfmt.dll file. If this DLL file is provided by Microsoft, the System File Checker tool will restore the file.

6. Install any available Windows updates

Many service packs and other patches replace or update some of the hundreds of DLL files that Microsoft distributes on your computer. The msstdfmt.dll file may be included with one of those updates.

7. Copy the msstdfmt.dll file from the working computer

You can then paste the file into the appropriate directory to hopefully prevent the DLL error from recurring.

The original location of this file is C:Windowssystem32 for 32-bit versions of Windows and C:WindowsSysWOW64 for 64-bit versions. Copy and paste the file from and into the same folder that corresponds to your version of Windows.

Tip : Refer to how to find out if the version of Windows you are using is 64-bit or 32-bit if you need help figuring out which files to copy and which folders to copy them to.

Once the file has been placed in the correct directory, register the DLL file with the Windows Registry. You can do this using the regsvr32 command in the Command Prompt with admin rights; just use whatever command applies to your version of Windows:

For the 32-bit version:

regsvr32 c:windowssystem32msstdfmt.dll

For 64-bit version:

regsvr32 c:windowssyswow64msstdfmt.dll

Important Note : Never download a DLL file from a website you are not familiar with. However, it is completely safe if you can copy the file from its original location on a working computer.

8. Update drivers for hardware devices that may be related to msstdfmt.dll

For example, if you receive the error "The file msstdfmt.dll is missing" when you play a 3D video game, try updating the driver for your video card.

Note : The msstdfmt.dll file may or may not be related to the video card. So the key point here is to be very attentive to the context of the error and troubleshoot accordingly.

9. Roll back driver

Restore the driver to a previously installed version if the error started to occur after updating the driver of a specific hardware device.

10. Test your memory and hard drive

The article has left most of the hardware troubleshooting to the last step, but your computer's memory and hard drive are easy to check and are the components most likely to cause msstdfmt.dll errors.

If the hardware fails any of your tests, replace the memory or replace the hard drive as soon as possible.

11. Repair Windows installation

If the individual troubleshooting advice above fails, running Startup Repair or installation repair will restore all Windows DLL files to their working versions.

12. Use a free registry cleaner

Use a free registry cleaner to repair msstdfmt.dll related problems in the registry. A free registry cleaner can help by removing invalid msstdfmt.dll registry entries that can cause DLL errors.

Note : The article does not recommend using a registry cleaner. They are included here as a last resort.

13. Perform a 'clean' installation of Windows

This will erase everything from the hard drive and install a fresh copy of Windows. If none of the steps above fixed the msstdfmt.dll error, this should be your next course of action.

Note : All information on your hard drive will be erased during a clean install. Make sure that you have tried as best you can to fix the msstdfmt.dll error by using the troubleshooting step before this step.

14. Troubleshoot hardware if any msstdfmt.dll errors persist

After a clean install of Windows, your DLL problem may only be hardware related.

Good luck with your troubleshooting!