How to Fix Winusb dll Not Found or Missing Errors
How to Fix Winusb.dll Not Found or Missing Errors GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Windows
Restore winusb.dll from the Recycle Bin. The easiest possible cause of a "missing" winusb.dll file is that you've mistakenly deleted it. If you suspect that you've accidentally deleted winusb.dll but you've already emptied the Recycle Bin, you may be able to recover winusb.dll with a free file recovery program. Recovering a deleted copy of winusb.dll with a file recovery program is a smart idea only if you're confident you've deleted the file yourself and that it was working properly before you did that.
Scan your entire computer for viruses and other malware. Some winusb.dll errors could be related to some kind of malware infection on your computer that has damaged the DLL file. It's even possible that the winusb.dll error you're seeing is related to a hostile program that's masquerading as the file.
Execute the sfc/scannow command to replace a missing or corrupt copy of the winusb.dll file. Fortunately, the winusb.dll file is provided by Microsoft in at least some versions of Windows, so the System File Checker tool (the sfc command) should restore it. This is the most likely solution to a missing or not found winusb.dll error. Please make every effort you can to complete this step after making sure your computer isn't infected with malware.
Use System Restore to undo recent system changes. If you suspect that the winusb.dll error was caused by a change made to an important file or configuration, and System File Checker didn't help, a System Restore should solve the problem.
Reinstall the program that uses the winusb.dll file. If the winusb.dll DLL error occurs when you use a particular program, reinstalling the program should replace the file. This step is most useful for replacing DLL files that are not supplied by Microsoft but it could help with your winusb.dll problem if this program also provides a copy of the file and the previous troubleshooting ideas weren't successful.
Update the drivers for hardware devices that might be related to winusb.dll. If, for example, you're receiving a "The file winusb.dll is missing" error when you try using a specific USB device, try updating the USB drivers.
Roll back a driver to a previously installed version if winusb.dll errors began after updating a particular hardware device's driver.
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 winusb.dll file could be included in one of those updates.
Repair your installation of Windows. If the individual winusb.dll file troubleshooting advice above is unsuccessful, performing a Refresh, Startup Repair, or Repair Installation (depending on your version of Windows) should restore all Windows DLL files to their working versions.
Use a free registry cleaner to repair winusb.dll related issues in the registry. A free registry cleaner program may be able to help by removing invalid winusb.dll registry entries that might be causing the DLL error. We rarely recommend the use of registry cleaners. We've included the option here just in case it turns out to be helpful, in which case you could avoid more difficult testing and last-resort options below.
Test your memory and then test your hard drive. I've left the majority of hardware troubleshooting to the last step, but your computer's memory and hard drive are relatively easy to test and are the most likely components to cause winusb.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.
Perform a clean install of Windows. A clean install will erase everything and install a fresh copy of Windows. If none of the steps above correct the winusb.dll error, this should be your next course of action. To be clear, all the data on the drive you have Windows installed on will be deleted during a clean install, so be sure to back up important files if you're able to. Obviously, make sure you've made every attempt possible to fix the winusb.dll error using a troubleshooting step prior to this one before you take on a clean install.
Troubleshoot for an unknown hardware problem if any winusb.dll errors persist. A clean install of Windows is a fresh start on the software-side of the troubleshooting. Unfortunately, if that didn't work, your DLL problem must be hardware related.
How to Fix Winusb.dll Not Found or Missing Errors
A Troubleshooting Guide for Winusb.dll Errors
By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 25, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide Winusb.dll errors are caused by situations that lead to the removal or corruption of the winusb DLL file. The winusb.dll file is part of Microsoft's generic WinUSB driver. In some cases, winusb.dll errors could indicate a registry problem, a virus or malware issue, or even a hardware failure. The winusb.dll error message could apply to any program or system that might utilize the file on any of Microsoft's operating systems, including Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000.Winusb dll Errors
There are several ways that winusb.dll error messages might be phrased depending on the cause of the problem. Here are some common winusb.dll errors. Winusb.dll Not FoundThe file winusb.dll is missingThis application failed to start because winusb.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problemCannot find [PATH]\winusb.dllCannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: winusb.dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again Winusb.dll error messages might appear while using or installing certain programs, when Windows starts or shuts down, or maybe even during a Windows installation. Noting at what point your winusb.dll error shows up is an important piece of information that will be helpful during troubleshooting.How to Fix Winusb dll Errors
Do not download winusb.dll from one of those DLL download sites. There are many reasons why downloading a DLL file is a bad idea. If you need a copy of winusb.dll, it's best to obtain it from its original, legitimate source. Start Windows in Safe Mode to complete any of the following steps if you're unable to access Windows normally due to the winusb.dll error.Restore winusb.dll from the Recycle Bin. The easiest possible cause of a "missing" winusb.dll file is that you've mistakenly deleted it. If you suspect that you've accidentally deleted winusb.dll but you've already emptied the Recycle Bin, you may be able to recover winusb.dll with a free file recovery program. Recovering a deleted copy of winusb.dll with a file recovery program is a smart idea only if you're confident you've deleted the file yourself and that it was working properly before you did that.
Scan your entire computer for viruses and other malware. Some winusb.dll errors could be related to some kind of malware infection on your computer that has damaged the DLL file. It's even possible that the winusb.dll error you're seeing is related to a hostile program that's masquerading as the file.
Execute the sfc/scannow command to replace a missing or corrupt copy of the winusb.dll file. Fortunately, the winusb.dll file is provided by Microsoft in at least some versions of Windows, so the System File Checker tool (the sfc command) should restore it. This is the most likely solution to a missing or not found winusb.dll error. Please make every effort you can to complete this step after making sure your computer isn't infected with malware.
Use System Restore to undo recent system changes. If you suspect that the winusb.dll error was caused by a change made to an important file or configuration, and System File Checker didn't help, a System Restore should solve the problem.
Reinstall the program that uses the winusb.dll file. If the winusb.dll DLL error occurs when you use a particular program, reinstalling the program should replace the file. This step is most useful for replacing DLL files that are not supplied by Microsoft but it could help with your winusb.dll problem if this program also provides a copy of the file and the previous troubleshooting ideas weren't successful.
Update the drivers for hardware devices that might be related to winusb.dll. If, for example, you're receiving a "The file winusb.dll is missing" error when you try using a specific USB device, try updating the USB drivers.
Roll back a driver to a previously installed version if winusb.dll errors began after updating a particular hardware device's driver.
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 winusb.dll file could be included in one of those updates.
Repair your installation of Windows. If the individual winusb.dll file troubleshooting advice above is unsuccessful, performing a Refresh, Startup Repair, or Repair Installation (depending on your version of Windows) should restore all Windows DLL files to their working versions.
Use a free registry cleaner to repair winusb.dll related issues in the registry. A free registry cleaner program may be able to help by removing invalid winusb.dll registry entries that might be causing the DLL error. We rarely recommend the use of registry cleaners. We've included the option here just in case it turns out to be helpful, in which case you could avoid more difficult testing and last-resort options below.
Test your memory and then test your hard drive. I've left the majority of hardware troubleshooting to the last step, but your computer's memory and hard drive are relatively easy to test and are the most likely components to cause winusb.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.
Perform a clean install of Windows. A clean install will erase everything and install a fresh copy of Windows. If none of the steps above correct the winusb.dll error, this should be your next course of action. To be clear, all the data on the drive you have Windows installed on will be deleted during a clean install, so be sure to back up important files if you're able to. Obviously, make sure you've made every attempt possible to fix the winusb.dll error using a troubleshooting step prior to this one before you take on a clean install.
Troubleshoot for an unknown hardware problem if any winusb.dll errors persist. A clean install of Windows is a fresh start on the software-side of the troubleshooting. Unfortunately, if that didn't work, your DLL problem must be hardware related.