How to Fix Zlibwapi.dll Not Found or Missing Errors

Zlibwapi.dll errors are caused by situations that lead to the removal or corruption of the zlibwapi DLL file.

In some cases, zlibwapi.dll errors could indicate a registry problem, a virus or malware issue, or even a hardware failure.

Zlibwapi.dll Errors

There are several ways zlibwapi.dll errors can show up on your computer. Here are some of the more common error messages you might see:

• Zlibwapi.dll Not Found
• This application failed to start because zlibwapi.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.
• Cannot find [PATH]\zlibwapi.dll
• The file zlibwapi.dll is missing.
• Cannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: zlibwapi.dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again.
• The following DLLs were not found in the game directory: zlibwapi.dll

The zlibwapi.dll file is related to the zlib software library, which is used by some data compression applications. This is why some zlibwapi DLL errors appear when opening or installing a particular program or video game, though error messages might also appear while Windows starts or shuts down.

How to Fix Zlibwapi.dll Errors

Follow these steps in the order they're given below to try the simpler solutions first.

1. Restore zlibwapi.dll from the Recycle Bin. The easiest possible cause of a "missing" zlibwapi.dll file is that you've mistakenly deleted it.

   If you suspect this, but you've already emptied the Recycle Bin, you may be able to recover the file with a free data recovery program.

   Start Windows in Safe Mode to complete any of these steps if you're unable to access Windows normally due to the error.

2. Run a virus/malware scan of your entire system. Some zlibwapi.dll errors could be related to a virus or other malware infection on your computer that has damaged the DLL file. It's even possible that the zlibwapi.dll error you're seeing is related to a hostile program that's masquerading as the file.

3. If you see the error when trying to play a video game, be sure you've extracted all the files out of the archive (assuming the DLL resides in an archive, like a RAR or ZIP file).

   You can't usually launch a game like this without first extracting all of its files. The reason this happens is because the computer can't find the zlibwapi.dll file. Extracting all the files that make up the game, including this DLL file, before launching the game, should fix any DLL related error.

4. Reinstall the program that uses the zlibwapi.dll file. If the DLL error occurs when you use a particular program, reinstalling the program should replace the file.

5. Temporarily disable your security software. It might be catching this DLL file, or a related file, and blocking its full use.

6. Use System Restore to undo recent system changes. If you suspect that the zlibwapi.dll error was caused by a change made to an important file or configuration, System Restore could solve the problem.

7. Update the drivers for hardware devices that might be related to zlibwapi.dll. If, for example, you're receiving a "The file zlibwapi.dll is missing" error when you play a 3D video game, try updating the drivers for your video card.
   

   The zlibwapi.dll file may or may not be related to video cards—this was just an example. The key here is to pay very close attention to the context of the error and troubleshoot accordingly.

8. Roll back a driver to a previously installed version if zlibwapi.dll errors began after updating a particular hardware device's driver.

9. Install any available Windows updates. Many service packs and other patches replace or update some of the hundreds of Microsoft distributed DLL files on your computer.

   The zlibwapi.dll file is most likely not included in one of those updates, but there might be update that you need to have on your computer before the zlibwapi.dll file can work properly.

10. Test your memory and then test your hard drive. We've left the majority of hardware troubleshooting to the last step, but your computer's memory and hard drive are easy to test and are the most likely components that might cause zlibwapi.dll errors as they fail.

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

11. Repair your installation of Windows. If the individual troubleshooting advice above is unsuccessful, performing a startup repair or repair installation should restore all Windows DLL files to their working versions.

12. Use a free registry cleaner to repair zlibwapi.dll related issues in the registry. A registry cleaner program may be able to help by removing invalid zlibwapi.dll registry entries that might be causing the DLL error.
    

    We rarely recommend the use of registry cleaners. We've included the option here as a "last resort" attempt before the destructive step coming up next.

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 correct the zlibwapi.dll error, this should be your next course of action.

    All the information on your hard drive will be erased during this step. Make sure you've made the best attempt possible to fix the error using a troubleshooting step prior to this one.

14. Troubleshoot for a hardware problem if any zlibwapi.dll errors persist. After a clean install of Windows, your DLL problem can only be hardware related.

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 lot more.