How to fix Openal32.dll
Openal32.dll errors are caused by situations that lead to the deletion or corruption of the openal32 DLL file.
In some cases, openal32.dll errors could indicate a registry problem, a virus or malware problem, or even a hardware failure.
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There are several different ways that openal32.dll errors can appear on your computer. Here are some of the more common ways you might see openal32.dll errors:
openal32.dll not foundThis application failed to start because openal32.dll was not found. Reinstalling the app might resolve the issue. Cannot be found [PATH] openal32.dllThe program can’t start because openal32.dll is missing from your computer.The file openal32.dll is missing.The program can’t start because openal32.dll is missing from your computer.Cannot start [APLICACIÓN]. A required component is missing: openal32.dll. please install [APLICACIÓN] again.
Openal32.dll error messages can appear while using or installing certain programs, when trying to play a video game, when Windows starts or shuts down, or even during a Windows installation.
The context of the openal32.dll error is an important piece of information that will be helpful in solving the problem.
The openal32.dll error message could apply to any program or system that might use the file on any of Microsoft’s operating systems, including Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000.
How to fix openal32.dll errors
Do not download openal32.dll from a «DLL download» website. There are many reasons why downloading a DLL file is a bad idea. If you need a copy of openal32.dll, it’s best to get it from its original, legitimate source.
Start Windows in Safe Mode to complete any of the following steps if you cannot access Windows normally due to openal32.dll error.
Restore openal32.dll from the Recycle Bin. The easiest possible cause of a «missing» openal file is that you have deleted it by mistake.
If you suspect that you have accidentally deleted openal but have already emptied the Recycle Bin, you can recover it with a free file recovery program.
Recovering a deleted copy of openal32.dll with a file recovery program is a good idea only if you are sure that you deleted the file and that it was working properly before doing so.
Reinstall the program that uses the openal. If the openal32.dll DLL error occurs when using a particular program, reinstalling the program should replace the file.
Do your best to complete this step. Reinstall the program that provides the openal32.dll fileif possible, is a likely fix for this DLL error.
If you are seeing the DLL error with a Steam game, open the oalinst.exe file to install the missing DLL file. To find this file oalinst.exe first go to the folder where your Steam games are stored.
It should be «…Steam SteamApps common…». In that «common» folder, open the game folder where the openal32.dll error is displayed.
Once there, go to the folder called » _CommonRedist «. In that folder, open the one called » OpenAL «. There should be a folder titled with numbers, such as » 2.0.7.0 «; in that folder is where you will find the oalinst.exe file.
Double click or double tap that EXE file to install the missing DLL.
If you can’t find the oalinst.exe file in the above folder, you can try searching the whole computer at once with a file search utility like Everything.
Install the Windows OpenAL program to download the official openal32.dll file. After installation, openal32.dll will be copied to the System32 and SysWOW64 folder under %systemroot% (which is usually C:Windows).
Run a virus/malware scan of your entire system. Some openal errors could be related to a virus or other malware infection on your computer that has corrupted the DLL file.
It’s even possible that the openal32.dll error you’re seeing is related to a hostile program masquerading as the file.
Use System Restore
To undo recent system changes. If you suspect that the openal32.dll error was caused by a change to an important file or setting, a System Restore might resolve the issue.
Update drivers for hardware devices that may be related to openal32.dll. If, for example, you receive the error «The openal file is missing» while playing a video game, try updating the drivers for your video card or sound card.
The openal32.dll file is probably related to audio, but still, this was just an example. The key here is to pay close attention to the context of the error and troubleshoot accordingly.
Roll back a driver to a previously installed version if the openal errors started after updating the driver for a particular hardware device.
Test your memory and then test your hard drive. I’ve left most hardware troubleshooting to the last step, but your computer’s memory and hard drive are easy to test and are the most likely components that could cause openal errors as they fail. If the hardware fails any of its tests, replace the memory or replace the hard drive as soon as possible.
Repair your Windows installation
If the individual openal file troubleshooting advice above is unsuccessful, performing a Startup Repair or Repair Installation should restore all Windows DLLs to their working versions.
Use a free registry cleaner to repair openal-related problems in the registry. A free registry cleaner program can help you remove any invalid openal registry entries that could be causing the DLL error.
I rarely recommend the use of registry cleaners. I’ve included the option here as a «last resort» attempt before the next destructive step.
Perform a clean install of Windows. A clean install of Windows will erase everything on your hard drive and install a fresh copy of Windows. If none of the above steps fix the openal32.dll error, this should be your next course of action.
All information on your hard drive will be erased during a clean install. Make sure you have made the best possible attempt to fix the openal error by using a troubleshooting step prior to this one.
Troubleshoot hardware if any errors persist. After a clean install of Windows, your DLL problem can only be hardware related.
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