How to Fix D3dx9_33.dll Not Found or Missing Errors

A troubleshooting guide for d3dx9_33.dll errors

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Tim Fisher
General Manager, VP, Lifewire.com
Tim Fisher has 30+ years' professional technology support experience. He writes troubleshooting content and is the General Manager of Lifewire.
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Tim Fisher
Updated on August 06, 2019
D3dx9_33.dll Error
D3dx9_33.dll Error.

Unlike many other DLL errors which can have complicated causes and fixes, d3dx9_33.dll issues are caused in one way or another by a single problem — some kind of issue with Microsoft DirectX.

The d3dx9_33.dll file is one of many files contained in the DirectX software collection. Since DirectX is utilized by most Windows-based games and advanced graphics programs, d3dx9_33.dll errors usually show up only when using these programs.

D3dx9_33.dll errors may show up on your computer in any of a number of different forms. Some of the more common d3dx9_33.dll errors you may see are listed below. 

D3DX9_33.DLL Not Found
File d3dx9_33.dll not found
The dynamic link library d3dx9_33.dll could not be found in the specified path [PATH]
D3dx9_33.dll not found. Reinstalling might help fix this
The file d3dx9_33.dll is missing
D3DX9_33.DLL is missing. Replace D3DX9_33.DLL and try again
Missing component d3dx9_33.dll
This application has failed to start because d3dx9_33.dll could not be found

D3dx9_33.dll errors typically appear when a software program, usually a game, is started. Occasionally, d3dx9_33.dll errors will display after a game is loaded but right before gameplay begins.

As mentioned above, a d3dx9_33.dll error message could apply to any program that utilizes Microsoft DirectX, but it's most commonly video games.

Some common games that have been known to generate d3dx9_33.dll errors include Lost Planet: Extreme Condition, Colin McRae DiRT, Scarlet Weather Rhapsody, BioShock, Red Light Center, World in Conflict, Civilization IV, SimCity Societies, Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition, Patchcon: Defend the Library, Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, and more.

Any of Microsoft's operating systems since Windows 98 may be affected by d3dx9_33.dll and other DirectX issues. This includes Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000.

How to Fix D3dx9_33.dll Errors

Do not, under any circumstances, download the d3dx9_33.dll DLL file individually from any DLL download site. There are a number of different reasons that downloading DLLs from these sites is a bad idea.

If you've already downloaded d3dx9_33.dll from one of those DLL download sites, remove it from wherever you put it and continue with the following steps.


  1. Restart your computer if you haven't yet done so.

    The d3dx9_33.dll error might be a fluke or one-time issue, and a simple restart could clear it up completely. It's unlikely this will fix the problem, but restarting is always a good first troubleshooting step.


  2. Install the latest version of Microsoft DirectX. Chances are, upgrading to the latest version of DirectX will fix the d3dx9_33.dll not found error.

    Microsoft often releases updates to DirectX without updating the version number or letter, so be sure to install the latest release even if your version is technically the same.

    The same DirectX installation program works with all versions of Windows including Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. It will replace any missing DirectX 11, DirectX 10, or DirectX 9 file.

  3. Assuming the latest DirectX version from Microsoft doesn't fix the d3dx9_33.dll error you're receiving, look for a DirectX installation program on your game or application CD or DVD. Usually, if a game or ​another program utilizes DirectX, the software developers will include a copy of DirectX on the installation disc.

    • Sometimes, though not often, the DirectX version included on the disc is a better fit for the program than the latest version available online.


  4. Uninstall the game or software program and then reinstall it again. Something may have happened to the files in the program that work with d3dx9_33.dll and a reinstall could do the trick.

  5. Restore the d3dx9_33.dll file from the latest DirectX package. If the above troubleshooting steps haven't worked to solve your d3dx9_33.dll error message, try extracting the d3dx9_33.dll file individually from the DirectX package.

  6. Update the drivers for your video card. While it's not the most common solution, in some situations updating the drivers for the video card in your computer could correct this DirectX issue.

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 whole lot more.