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d3dx9.dll is missing or not found or installed

20th August 2007 in Gaming, Technology

So this error message has been doing the rounds lately.

This application has failed to start because d3dx9_32.dll was not found.

Or other error messages around d3dx9.dll, dxdx9d.dll, d3dx10.dll, xinput.dll, xact.dll, d3dx10_33.dll, d3dx9_40.dll and other variations being missing, not being found or installed.

These are all optional components to DirectX that may not be installed with the version of DirectX you already have on your system.

Typically these will be installed when the game installs DirectX, however for historical reasons a lot of gamers, knowing they had the latest version of DirectX didn't bother (I never do either). Microsoft a couple of years back provided these optional components in the SDK, and as such may not be installed with the version of DirectX present on your system.

Games I've come across with this happening range from

Age of Empires III (3).
Battlefield 2.
Battlefield 2142.
BioShock (unconfirmed)?
Caesar IV (4).
Civilization IV (4).
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter.
Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2.
Hitman Blood Money.
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth 2.
Lost Planet.
Need For Speed Most Wanted.
Virtual Skipper.

I'm sure there's probably a couple of dozen more games, feel free to list any additions in the comments below.

The solution is to either install the version of DirectX on the game's disc, or download the latest DirectX End-User Runtime from Microsoft (at the moment this is being redirected to the Games for Windows website), or from the Download Center.

Tags: directx, windows vista, windows xp
This entry was posted by Paul and is filed under Gaming, Technology. Tags: directx, windows vista, windows xp
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69 comments

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Comment from: Arcus Arcanus Visitor

Arcus Arcanus

Never had that particular problem, but when I tried to play Age of Mythology, the igfx display driver kept crashing and being fixed. The Windows support people were worthless, only saying that the game "is not supported" on Vista, but I found an update from Intel for the driver and the problem is gone, or at least better; the game still runs slow, but that could just be my system. It seems that Vista is not compatible with an annoying amount of other older games too.

20th August 2007 @ 04:17 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Catherine Visitor

Catherine

I had a problem like this with playing a demo of broken sword the angel of death game, for some reason there was a direct x file that apparetly I didn't have and the demo didn't either so I had to update my direct x from the website.

20th August 2007 @ 08:39 Reply to this comment

Comment from: mdcrl Visitor

mdcrl

Just finally got round 2 gettin RE-4 (Resident Evil 4) and of course the d3dx9.dll issue pops up.... guess I wasn't as up to snuff as I thought....

just one more 4 the list

28th September 2007 @ 02:22 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Tobias DeLuna Wolfe Visitor

Tobias DeLuna Wolfe

Having a similar issue myself with Eve Online now that they've released the Trinity expansion. Not sure exactly which file it is, but I'll continue huntin' Google.

6th December 2007 @ 04:08 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Michael Visitor

Michael

Thanks, I had no idea what that my error message meant, but your comments allowed me to realise what the problem was and after downloading the latest directx it worked perfectly. Thanks again.

13th December 2007 @ 20:49 Reply to this comment

Comment from: sharanu Visitor

sharanu

ctracer game can't rune becus it's asking d3dx9-dll file fund . so what i willdo

14th December 2007 @ 08:02 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Henri Visitor

Henri

Thanks for the tip :)

I got this error on Civilization 4 after I downloaded an upgrade for Civ 4-Warlords (upgrade from 1.0 that's on the disc to 2.13).

The disc comes with DirectX 9. After reading your comments, I managed to figure out that the upgrade needs DirectX 10. The installation process did not mention this at all.

So thanks again, I can finally start playing my game now.

28th December 2007 @ 10:55 Reply to this comment

Comment from: john Visitor

john

i had a problem with black and white2

13th January 2008 @ 21:44 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Oscar Visitor

Oscar

Error apears in Bioshok wen you istall for first time not apear when you open for secontime apear reistall fix this proble temporary

16th January 2008 @ 19:43 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Great, now what... Visitor

Great, now what...

Great you managed to compile a list of problems, now how about you tell us how to fix them, now that would be something worth reading

29th January 2008 @ 08:05 Reply to this comment

Comment from: matkorommel Visitor

matkorommel

I have this problem with Sherloch Holmes vs. Arsen Lupin.

12th February 2008 @ 16:09 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Liam Visitor

Liam

my autorefresher/banlist application doesnt work due to not being able to find d3dx9.dll and same with dxhook.dll, i dled dxhook.dll directly, now it says it cant find d3dx9.dll, can anyone help? or should i just keep downloading these .dlls till i have all of them and no more problems?

8th March 2008 @ 19:39 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Paul Member

Liam: Install DirectX.

8th March 2008 @ 19:45 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Lady D Visitor

Lady D

my brother have a game "Kane & Lynch: dead man" . but this game doesn't run because of d3dx9_34.dll missing. directX has been set on my computer. what's the problem?

21st March 2008 @ 10:17 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Mizen_Da_Cat Visitor

Mizen_Da_Cat

I had the same problem with GTA_SA :(

1st April 2008 @ 13:18 Reply to this comment

Comment from: christof Visitor

christof

i had this problem with sim city societies, just downloading latest DirectX to see if it works !

13th April 2008 @ 11:16 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Alex SDU Visitor

Alex SDU

Most important thing, anybody know how to install 'em?! Should we just paste it in the game's folder or what?

25th April 2008 @ 16:13 Reply to this comment

Comment from: mark Visitor

mark

comand and conquer 3 tiberm wars has the same issue

25th May 2008 @ 06:08 Reply to this comment

Comment from: PlasZeb Visitor

PlasZeb

Europa Universalis: Rome

24th June 2008 @ 15:04 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Francisco Visitor

Francisco

Che alguien sabe donde puedo bajar el file que se llama así ::: "d3dx9.dll"
gracias saludos

29th July 2008 @ 18:36 Reply to this comment

Comment from: zach Visitor

zach

your a lifesaver! i got in on COD4

5th August 2008 @ 23:43 Reply to this comment

Comment from: sardnyx27 Visitor

sardnyx27

hi! tnx for this article...i'm having problems with need for speed most wanted..currently downloading the directx from microsoft..hope this solves the problem.. :)

26th August 2008 @ 05:47 Reply to this comment

Comment from: conner Visitor

conner

im having this problem with CALL OF DUTY 4 MODERN WARFARE.

i cant figure out how to fix it. help!

This application has failed to start because d3dx9_34.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.

d3dx9_34.dll

31st August 2008 @ 15:33 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Justin Visitor

Justin

I had this problem as well for "Hitman : Blood Money" but after fixing it I was hit with another problem. Trying to sort this part out now.

14th September 2008 @ 14:19 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Asim Visitor

Asim

Well i too am facing this problem and thanks to you i have solve it..

Appreciate your help..

2nd October 2008 @ 14:33 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Brian Visitor

Brian

Thanks -
My CoD:WaW (World At War) BETA has the error: "d3dx9.dll has not been found". This post helped me find out what to do and were to go... Thanks.

31st October 2008 @ 21:24 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Sherif Visitor

Sherif

I have a problem running bioshock after installing it. when I run the program it message that I was missing a d3dx9_33.dll. Now I not sure what to do.

15th November 2008 @ 23:47 Reply to this comment

Comment from: blake Visitor

blake

dont forget about call of duty 5 world at war beta :(

19th November 2008 @ 13:17 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Consindo Visitor

Consindo

Command and Conquer Red Alert 3 has this problem

20th November 2008 @ 03:36 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Oleath Visitor

Oleath

to fix it re-install directX.

1st December 2008 @ 16:31 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Tomas Visitor

Tomas

Thanks i had da same problem with
Fable: The Lost Chapters but what do i do know im downloading directx 9 but then wat do i do

2nd December 2008 @ 07:33 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Atzaz Shah Visitor

Atzaz Shah

i m having a problum to install the game there is file missing d3dx9_26.dll so tell me what i do

3rd December 2008 @ 20:52 You are currently replying to this comment

Comment from: DracoFlare Visitor

DracoFlare

I got this problem on Lord of the Rings Online also straight after patching to the version just before the new expansion.

6th January 2009 @ 16:58 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Itsamee Visitor

Itsamee

I am using Visual C++ (Express) 2008 on a Vista Home Premium (SP1) system with a non-DX10 GFX card. Applications that I previously built on VC++ Express 2008 on an XP Pro (SP3) system cannot find the relevant DirectX DLLs (d3dx9_38.dll).
I have installed the latest DX SDK, but a search of the system indicates that the file has not been installed.
Any ideas ?
Cheers.

7th January 2009 @ 06:14 Reply to this comment

Comment from: snedden Visitor

snedden

same problem with europa 3 !! tells dxdiag_35.dll missing,I uninstalled directx manually and reinstalled it (by using the game cd),but still the problem persist!!!

13th January 2009 @ 14:47 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Juggalo-Rex Visitor

Juggalo-Rex

my Resident Evil 4 has that too It dident before i had to nuke.

2nd February 2009 @ 20:13 Reply to this comment

Comment from: andy Visitor

andy

thanks it helped with my game geometry wars

17th May 2009 @ 00:51 Reply to this comment

Comment from: uptimus Visitor

uptimus

I searched my C-drive through and found files from d3dx9_24.dll to d3dx9_32.dll, yet the game required d3dx9_33.dll.

I shall try to get newer version of direct X (bundle) from:
http://www.filehippo.com/download_directx/

I'll bet that will do the trick.

13th July 2009 @ 14:12 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Paul Member

Get the DirectX installer directly from Microsoft.

13th July 2009 @ 14:14 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Mac Gruber Visitor

Mac Gruber

Trying to run SB 3 on a regular system was a chore, but this helped me through one of the steps.

Thanks.

12th September 2009 @ 06:38 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Valvar Visitor

Valvar

Warhammer online had this issue.
Ty.

17th October 2009 @ 07:15 Reply to this comment

Comment from: ShaneO Visitor

ShaneO

Thank you very much. I have just had this issue with Anno 1404

29th October 2009 @ 22:34 Reply to this comment

Comment from: mie Visitor

mie

duirng downloading i'm having prob due to missing d3dx9.dll

1st November 2009 @ 09:47 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Beans Visitor

Beans

found this it might help.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2da43d38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3&displaylang=en

11th December 2009 @ 03:46 Reply to this comment

Comment from: ghgh Visitor

ghgh

dragon age: origins...fail

4th January 2010 @ 11:31 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Izzy Visitor

Izzy

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 missing d3dx9_36. So I read a little on here, went to game cd, found the directx folder, hit exe. file, install files, game works, thanks people for making life a bit easier

20th January 2010 @ 05:12 Reply to this comment

Comment from: scamperator Visitor

scamperator

What is going on? I have to reinstall Direct x nearly every day now. That d3dx9 file disappears every day.
After reinstalling it works great, wait a day and it is gone again.

30th January 2010 @ 18:53 Reply to this comment

Comment from: christerrobert Visitor

christerrobert

i have similar problem with the game call of jureaz what i have to do. your suggestion is not solving my problem

23rd February 2010 @ 03:02 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Trinity-r3v Visitor

Trinity-r3v

Ahh, Vancouver 2010 messing me up. Thanks for pointing out, worked after an update and re-installation~

6th March 2010 @ 00:29 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Quantum714 Visitor

Quantum714

Games I've had it happen with:

Flashpoint: Dragon Rising
Rainbow Six Vegas 2
Gears of War
Farcry 2
Fallout 3

1st April 2010 @ 18:32 Reply to this comment

Comment from: LordChar Visitor

LordChar

I have this problem with saints row 2 but i installed DX 9 it works but now wit crashes after some cutscenes

8th April 2010 @ 12:21 Reply to this comment

Comment from: ernest boamah Visitor

ernest boamah

when i try to run bioshock game,it tells me that d3dx9_33.dll is missing.

13th April 2010 @ 11:44 Reply to this comment

Comment from: sarah Visitor

sarah

pls help.. can someone help me on how to install D3dx9 38.dll

30th April 2010 @ 12:36 Reply to this comment

Comment from: David Visitor

David

I had the problem with borderlands, and had it again on my friends computer and had to remember how i fixed it hahaha... Installing directx is the fix both times now.

10th June 2010 @ 22:38 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Martin Malgand Visitor

Martin Malgand

I had a problem with COD4, the same error popped up but it was fixed when i installed the newest Direct X

2nd July 2010 @ 10:43 Reply to this comment

Comment from: ankit Visitor

ankit

I've got directx 10 on my computer. when i run the game (NFSMW), it says that it needs d3dx9_26.dll. so i downloaded it, and its working, but there's a major lag, and i think its because of this file. because when i ran the game earlier, it worked fine.
i checked on the microsoft site for updates, but its got updates for 9.0c or earlier versions. any suggestions?
cheers

25th August 2010 @ 04:32 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Danielle Visitor

Danielle

I had this problem with Sim City Societies and then I went to the Microsoft's downloads links in this post and downloaded and installled the lastest DirectX. Now it works perfectly. ;) Thank you very much.
And for those who said the post doesn't give a solution, that's the one it gives: installing the Direct X, you should read it all before commenting.

25th September 2010 @ 22:34 Reply to this comment

Comment from: vedant Visitor

vedant

it cannot be started bcoz d3dx9_26.dll was not found

14th November 2010 @ 05:59 Reply to this comment

Comment from: dishant dewit Visitor

dishant dewit

wow

18th February 2011 @ 06:47 Reply to this comment

Comment from: sana Visitor

sana

i have installed NFSU and it also give same error :(

25th March 2011 @ 18:33 Reply to this comment

Comment from: GETOUTAHERE Visitor

GETOUTAHERE

YOU PEOPLE ARE FULL OF RUBBISH!!!!!! Everyone is talking about their own fricking problem. NO SOLUTIONS!!! I WASTED MY TIME!!!

31st March 2011 @ 19:06 Reply to this comment

Comment from: hellaluya Visitor

hellaluya

thanks a lot! i wasted 30 bucks on some program that was suppose to fix this but it didn't even show up in the scans. well at least i can play now, again thank you.

4th May 2011 @ 08:13 Reply to this comment

Comment from: andrew Visitor

andrew

i am can haz the same problem.... with my BLACKOPS!!!! noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

25th May 2011 @ 19:32 Reply to this comment

Comment from: xD Visitor

xD

Wtf I CAN PLAY CALL OF DUTY D: My life had been runed

7th October 2011 @ 12:33 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Duncedog Dillan Visitor

Duncedog Dillan

I got a problemo with Call Of Duty 4 and can't find the file that I need which is d3dx9... NEED HELP!

5th October 2012 @ 22:59 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Gopi Visitor

Gopi

Far cry gaming error..

the error displays when i download and install directx as, "A cabinet file necessary for installation cannot be trusted. Please verify the cryptographic services are enabled and the cabinet file certificate is valied". I even checked the settings from cyptographic settings from control panel that it is enabled and started automatically only..but i cant get out of this problem.please help me out.

6th June 2013 @ 05:39 Reply to this comment

Comment from: bubu Visitor

bubu

140817
Some game launchers will start to abort launching the game claiming missing d3dx9.dll.
Often the game site redirects to the dxwebsetup that downloads ver 6.00.2600.0000
dling this and clicking it to install does NOT fix the missing .dll

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=0A9B6820-BFBB-4799-9908-D418CDEAC197&displaylang=en

In windows 7 i already have D3DX9_43.dll (System32 folder) and D3DX9_43_x64 and _86 (in the Intel\Extreme Tuning Utility\Drivers\DirectX folder).

Now the games are specifically looking for d3dx9_dll.

Most games that require d3dx9_dll will more than likely never run on Windows 8. It is a major backwards compatibility issue. I am sure an Engineer with working knowledge of how direct X drivers render graphics and the calls video games to them could tell you a more detailed explanation.

The new d3dx11_dll drivers simply are not compatible with the old rendering methods of the d3dx9_dll drivers.

17th August 2014 @ 07:06 Reply to this comment

Comment from: nick Visitor

nick

This problem also happens with injustice gods among us for pc

23rd October 2015 @ 15:06 Reply to this comment

Comment from: Sanuja vinsuka Visitor

Sanuja vinsuka

This is my first game disc because I have Apple Mac burps previous week I get a new dell laptop .so I tired to play cod 4 from it .but it reported error message . And thanks for give me information,I hope it would be work

11th December 2015 @ 01:08 Reply to this comment


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