Share this article

Improve this guide

D3dref.dll Not Found: 5 Ways to Easily Fix It

Reinstall the problematic app for a quick fix

4 min. read

Updated onApril 2, 2024

updated onApril 2, 2024

Share this article

Improve this guide

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

Key notes

D3dref.dll is a Windows system file required for Windows to run properly. This file is not a critical system file, but it is highly recommended that it be available on the system.

If the D3dref.dll file is missing or corrupt, yourcomputer may not be able to start up normallyor experience issues with running certain programs. Let’s now look at how to fix this issue.

What causes the D3dref.dll missing error?

Some of the major causes of this missing DLL error include:

What can I do if D3dref.dll is missing?

Before proceeding with any complex troubleshooting, we recommend you try the following preliminary steps first:

1. Use a dedicated DLL- fixer

D3dref.dll is a Windows dynamic link library file used by many programs to provide a graphical user interface for Windows. It’s a DLL file that belongs to the Microsoft DirectX software development kit.

It can be hard to pinpoint the exact issue behind a missing DLL file, and that’s where DLL repair tools come in.

DLL repair toolscan fix all kinds of DLL errors related to the D3dref.dll missing error.

2. Run DISM and SFC scans

3. Scan for viruses

Windows Defender may sometimes miss out on stubborn viruses good at hiding. That’s why a third-party antivirus solution should suffice.

Our top choice has to be ESET NOD32. It offers multi-layered protection against all types of viruses, Trojans, and other malware.

⇒Get ESET NOD32

4. Download the file manually

If you accidentally deleted the file and cannot restore it from the Recycle bin, you may have to download it manually. You can download the D3dref.dll file from a reliable site such asDLL-Files.com.

Although downloading DLL files manually from the Internet can be a quick fix, it can be hard to authenticate third-party websites. It’s easy to end up with malware on your PC if you don’t have acomprehensive antivirus program.

5. Perform a System Restore

This is not the end ofmissing DLL files in Windows 10or 11. You may also encounter a related issue where thed3dx9_34-dll is missing, so be sure to check out our guide for the steps to bypass it.

That brings us to the close of this article, so leave us a comment below for any additional thoughts.

D3dref.dll Not Found: 5 Ways to Easily Fix It#

What causes the D3dref.dll missing error?#

What can I do if D3dref.dll is missing?#

1. Use a dedicated DLL- fixer#

2. Run DISM and SFC scans#

3. Scan for viruses#

4. Download the file manually#

5. Perform a System Restore#