steam.api.dll Missing File Error [Fixed in Windows]

This section will only focus on how does this error message pop-up on your screen. steam.api.dll error can be caused when any particular file gets corrupted in the steam DLL files. This contains many files and every file is important for an application to run.

Another case where this error might occur is when a virus is detected in your steam DLL folderSteam. The virus will make the file useless and the application will not be able to read the file which will ultimately cause this error. The system’s registry can also be a cause of this error. If you have any invalid entry in your registry from steam DLL then it will show this error.

Now, there is not just one way that will indicate this error on your screen. Your error message might pop-up in different ways. The message may depend on the version of Windows you are using. Have a look below to know more.

1. “Steam.dll Not Found”
2. “This application failed to start because steam.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.”
3. “Cannot find [PATH]\steam.dll”
4. “Failed to load steam.dll”
5. “Unable to find Steam.dll entry point”
6. “Can’t find steam.dll relative to the executable path [STEAM PATH]”
7. “The file steam.dll is missing.”
8. “Cannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: steam.dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again.”

Whenever you are trying to install or uninstall an application steam.api.dll error might occur. It may also appear when you start your windows or update your windows. This error will only pop-up in Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10.

Methods to Fix steam.api.dll Error

These are methods and not steps so don’t get yourself confused with this. You will be able to solve the steam.api.dll error on your system from either of the following methods. It will depend on your situation and the cause of this error on your system. One method may not work for you because it might not be the cause of the error.

Method 1: Check Recycle Bin

You might have deleted the steam.api.dll file by mistake. It happens in many cases. We sometimes try to free up space in our system and we delete a bulk of files all together because we do not understand why that is important. Hence to double-check your mistake. You can check the recycle bin for the same file. If you find the file in your recycle bin then follow the below steps:

1. Copy the file.
2. Open My Computer or This PC (According to your Windows version).
3. Go to your C drive.
4. Open the folder “Windows.”
5. Click on the folder named “System32.”
6. Paste the copied file on that folder.

Once you complete this short process you can try running the process again it will not show you the error now. If you were not able to find the file in the recycle bin then look for another method to solve the issue.

Method 2: Restart the Computer

This method can be your solution because we have often found that many users get the steam.api.dll error by mistake. There is nothing there but the system still pop-ups the error. This might be a mistake and hence you should just try restarting your computer and launch the application again.

Method 3: Reinstall Steam

Steam can also be the cause behind this error popping up on your screen. You must try reinstalling the steam application on your system. This will update all the steam.DLL files in your system which means if there is any file that missing it will be restored.

To reinstall you should uninstall the program first. To do that you could go to the control panel of your system. Then, find the program section. Open it and click on the application you want to uninstall. This will erase the application’s existence and the corrupt files will be deleted too.

Method 4: Run A Virus Scan

A virus scan could be a good fix for the steam.api.dll error. When you do a full system virus scan then you will be able to find where exactly do you have a virus in your system. You can also narrow down the virus scan to only steam.Dll files. This will help you find the corrupted files.

Once you have that information you can replace those files by updating the steam.dll files. You can use various virus scan applications. Kaspersky, Mcafee are the few examples for our users to use in their system. Restart your computer once this process is completed and then try to launch the steam application again.

Summary

Our purpose was to clear the methods you can use to fix steam.api.dll error on your system. This can be very technical and so we tried to simplify it by dividing the process into steps. This would help you to follow the process more precisely. The basic information and the cause were also discussed to give our readers a better understanding.

If you found any kind of difficulties in our article or you think you have some advice for us or you just want to share your experience with your situation then feel free and write to us. We have provided a comment box below that will help you to reach us and we will reply to your comments as soon as possible.