An error relating to an Msvcr71.dll file can arise due to multiple reasons. It can be because the application is faulty, or the Msvcr71.dll file has been misplaced or replaced, or the same has been corrupted due to some malicious software on your computer. 

This file plays a vital role in multiple PC game applications like Hitman. If it goes missing, the application might stop working completely. 

This article will provide you a couple of ways to fix the Msvcr71.dll file error on your PC.

Re-install the application

In most cases, the error in the file occurs due to improper installation of the software. The simplest way to fix this is to uninstall the application and download it again.

For this, you need to go to the control panel and uninstall the application. Restart your computer once the process of uninstallation is complete. Download the latest version of the application from the official website. By doing so, you download all the files along with the DLL files required to run the program easily. 

SFC scanner check

The System File Checker or SFC is an in-built tool in every PC, provided to fix such errors. This is one of the safest and convenient ways to ensure the proper running of the application. 

In order to run the scanner, right-click the Start menu, and choose the Command Prompt (Admin) option from the dropdown menu. On the screen that appears, enter sfc/scannow. Once you do this, the tool will scan your entire PC. This process takes about 10 minutes. On completion, restart your computer and check for the missing file. 

Run antivirus scans

There is a strong possibility that quite a few files are facing issues in running properly due to some malicious software. It is, therefore, necessary to clear the same to restore proper functionality. 

Run a full system scan using any antivirus program that you use on your computer. Once the program identifies and clears the corrupted file, restart the system. After doing so, check if the error still persists. 

Download the missing DLL file

If you face trouble fixing the issue with any of the above-mentioned methods, you can go for a direct download. Look for the missing DLL file on the internet and replace it with the corrupted one on your PC. 

This is not one of the most recommended methods. The reason being, all the free files available over the internet might not be genuine and authentic. Some might also be copyright protected. Unless you are sure the source is trustworthy and the file is genuine, avoid going for this option. 

Cleaning computer registries

Another way of manually fixing the problem of missing DLL file is by doing a clean-up of the system registry 

To do so, you first need to click on the Start button. In the search box displayed, type msconfig.exe and press enter. This will begin the system configuration utility and clean up the registries on your computer. 

To sum up 

The Msvcr71.dll file is an essential file for your system. It plays a crucial role in the functionality of a lot of other programs and applications like computer games. Ignoring the same can be troublesome for the PC.

While fixing the issues make sure to go for the in-build tool first. Sometimes the glitch is trivial and can be fixed with a system scan. Do an antivirus scan as well to eliminate the option of corrupt files.

If downloading the DLL files appears to be the only option, make sure to choose a download source that is authentic and trustworthy. This will reduce the chances of any more errors.