Methods to Resolve the ‘D3DCompiler_47.dll Is Missing’ Error

The importance of Dynamic Link Library, or simply put, DLL files, is known to every computer user. DLL files consist of smaller programs and instructions that applications use to handle functions not listed under their core functions.

The D3DCompiler_47.dll is a critical component of DirectX. It is a shared file which allows numerous applications and games to function smoothly. However, you might run into a strange ‘D3DCompiler_47.dll is missing’ error message sometimes while trying to launch an application. This error displayed on your screen looks something like –

While there are various workarounds you can try to fix this issue, let’s understand what causes this error and how you can avoid it. Let’s move ahead.

What is D3DCompiler_47.dll?

As mentioned earlier, the D3DCompiler_47.dll file is a component of the Microsoft DirectX package, which provides a Direct3D High-Level Shader Language (HLSL) compiler to supporting applications for generating shader programs.

The name ‘D3DCompiler_47.dll’ itself is enough to make users understand what this file is about – D3D for Direct3D, 47 for the version number of the DLL file.

Reasons behind the ‘D3DCompiler_47.dll Is missing’ Error Message

Many reasons lead to the possibility of encountering the ‘D3DCompiler_47.dll Is Missing’ error message on your screen. Listed below are some possible causes of this error –

• Trying to launch a faulty application
• Accidentally deleted or misplaced the DLL file
• Corrupted or damaged DLL file
• Incompatible application

These reasons could generate this error while trying to run any application or game that requires the DirectX package.

Where is the D3DCompiler_47.dll Found on the Computer?

Normally, when the DirectX installs, it installs the D3DCompiler_47.dll at locations depending upon the OS you are using.

On Windows 32-bit version – C:\Windows\System32

On Windows 64-bit version – C:\Windows\System32 & C:\Windows\SysWOW64

When you launch an application that requires the D3DCompiler_47.dll, it looks for it in the installation folder, and then in the folders mentioned above. If it doesn’t find the file in the mentioned locations, it throws the ‘D3DCompiler_47.dll Is missing’ error message on the screen.

Methods to Resolve ‘D3DCompiler_47.dll Is missing’ Error Message

If you are encountering this error message, there are chances that either the application has malfunctioned or the required DLL file is missing or corrupted. To get your application up and running error-free, here are some methods that you can employ.

Method 1: Download the Missing DLL File

The missing D3DCompiler_47.dll file can cause you to encounter the ‘D3DCompiler_47.dll Is missing’ error message. For this, you can download and install the missing DLL file to resolve the error message on your Windows 11/10 computer. Simply follow the steps mentioned here –

• Open your web browser and go to this website.
• Download the latest available version of the missing DLL file.

Note – If you are using the 32-bit Windows OS, make sure to download and use the 32-bit DLL file only. However, if you are using the 64-bit Windows OS, you will need to download both the 32-bit and the 64-bit DLL files and use them.

• Once you have downloaded the file/s, go to the following location – C:\Windows.
• Here, find System32 and SysWOW64 folders.

• If you are on the 32-bit Windows OS, you will not find the SysWOW64 folder. In such a case, copy the 32-bit DLL file and paste it into the System32 folder. However, if you are running the 64-bit Windows OS, copy the 32-bit DLL file in the System32 folder and the 64-bit DLL file in the SysWOW64 folder.
• Close everything and restart your computer.

This should resolve the ‘D3DCompiler_47.dll is missing’ error message.

Method 2: Register the Newly-Added DLL File

Your computer uses a DLL file which is registered in its database. If you have copied the D3DCompiler_47.dll file from another computer or downloaded it into the respective folders as mentioned in the previous method, you will need to register them using Command Prompt. To do this –

• Open command prompt with administrator privileges.

• Execute the following commands – regsvr32 /u D3DCompiler_47.dll & regsvr32 /i D3DCompiler_47.dll.

• Restart your computer.

Notes –

• The command with /u will unregister the DLL file and the one with /i will register it.
• This method will only work if you have pasted the files into the respective folders. If not, then you’ll see an error while executing them.

Method 3: Download and Install the Windows Catalog Update

Microsoft regularly releases updates to squash bugs and fix the causes behind persistent errors. To resolve the issue causing user computers to show the ‘D3DCompiler_47.dll is missing’ error message, Microsoft released a catalog update for Windows computers and servers. You can find more about it here and install it by going to the official Microsoft Update Catalogue webpage.

Method 4: Install Windows Updates

DirectX is a vital system component that can’t be uninstalled. However, there is also no standalone utility to repair it. If you have encountered the ‘D3DCompiler_47.dll is missing’ error message, you can resolve the issue by installing the latest available Windows updates, as these include various bug fixes like updates for DirectX. To update your computer’s OS –

• Press WINDOWS + I to open Settings.
• Head over to Update & Security.

• Click on Windows update in the left pane.
• Click on Check for updates.

• If there are any available updates, install them.

Method 5: Perform System Restore

The methods collated above should help you fix the ‘D3DCompiler_47.dll is missing’ error on your PC. However, if nothing works, then you can perform System Restore. System Restore restores your computer to a previous healthy state using restore points, which are snapshots of the system image of that time.

Note – System Restore uses restore points to revert to the previous state. If you haven’t enabled this feature, then this method will not work for you.

Performing System Restore doesn’t erase your data from the storage drive. It only removes all those applications which were installed after that point. However, there might be a slim chance of you losing some of your data. In that case, we recommend taking a complete backup of your data on an external storage drive before proceeding. Once your backup process is done, follow the steps given here –

• Open Control Panel.
• Click on Recovery.

• Click on Open System Restore.

• In the System Restore wizard, click on Next.

• In the next window, select the restore point that you want to use and click on the Scan for affected programs button.

It will show you all the programs which will be removed upon restoration. Click on Close.

• If you are okay with it, click on Next.

• You will see the final screen of the System Restore process. Click on Finish to begin restoring.

This will restore your PC to a healthy and error-free state and thus will resolve the ‘D3DCompiler_47.dll is missing’ error.

Any Chances of Data Loss?

As mentioned earlier, System Restore neither deletes any files and data present on the storage drive nor recovers any accidentally deleted files. If you had performed the System Restore in the hopes of resolving the ‘D3DCompiler_47.dll is missing’ error message, but accidentally deleted some files, then don’t worry. You can perform deleted file recovery using a file recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery.

This software is a handy tool that helps you retrieve files you lost due to accidental deletion, formatting, etc. It is a user-friendly software that enables users to recover lost files & data in a few clicks.

Wrapping Up

The ‘D3DCompiler_47.dll is missing’ error message is a common issue faced by many users while trying to launch a game or an application. In this post, we dug deeper to understand the reasons behind this error. We also learned how to fix this issue and get the stuck applications running. We hope this guide helped you resolve this error in no time.

FAQs

Q. How to install the missing D3DCompiler_47.dll file on my Windows PC?

A. If the D3DCompiler_47.dll is missing on your computer, go to the following website, download, and install the 32-bit DLL file in the System32 folder and the 64-bit one in the SysWOW64 folder. Refer to Method 1 for detailed info.

Q. How to register the D3DCompiler_47.dll file?

A. Once you have pasted the files in their respective folders, open CMD with administrative rights and execute - regsvr32 /i D3DCompiler_47.dll to register them.

Q. How to repair damaged DLL files?

A. Perform SFC scan in CMD to fix or replace any damaged or corrupted or missing system-related files, including missing DLL files. Open CMD (Admin) > Type SFC /scannow > Press Enter.