Error working with functions from external dynamically loaded libraries

The structure of the library resources of the Windows operating system can be represented as follows:

  • First, at the lowest level, there are “interruptions” of the system itself, whose “legs” grow from the very first versions of Windows, moreover, everything is from that long-standing MS-DOS old woman (yes, at this level in 30 years nothing in Windows has changed). Access to this library is easiest through the assembler with the INT (interrupt) command, hence the “interrupts, ” although in fact this level has little to do with the interrupt handling routines.
  • We go one step higher and we get into WinSDK, a software development kit from Windows. This is a kind of analogue of all the same “interruptions”, but already taking into account the specifics of the organization of Windows - the developer gets access to this library through his usual code of the high-level language used.

The only difficulty is that the terminology of WinSDK description differs from the terminology of the description of the applied programming language itself, its functions (take the same Builder or Delphi). Fortunately, all the WinSDK functions are described in detail in the developer environments themselves (in fact, they have nothing to do with them, their popularity is so great).

WinSDK functions are “assembled” in files of dynamically connected (literally - loadable) libraries - dynamic load library (dll). The user of such a library does not need to know the address of the function inside - it is enough for him to know the name of the function and to be sure that there is a function in the library. Entry points to functions are defined in the description of the library itself.

  • We also go higher and we are in the add-on program libraries on Windows. One of the most famous add-ons is the DirectX graphics package. Here is the same organization - all the same dll-files.

The error d3d11.dll is connected with one of the DirectX libraries - it stores the functions of displaying three-dimensional graphic models.

Minor clarifications

Here you need to understand that when a simple message “Error d3d11.dll” appears on the screen, this is not exactly the right message, it does not accurately reflect the essence of the problem. Sometimes there is an error message “could not create d3d11 device” - how to fix, the text itself can do little with such an error.

More precisely, this message should look like - “Error entering the xyz function, in the d3d11.dll library” or more simply - “The xyz function in the d3d11.dll library is not defined”.

Another thing is that application developers often do not bother with refinements and provide precisely a simple, “indefinite” version of the nature of the error that occurred. But essentially it does not change. The main causes of failure - or the library d3d11.dll is missing, as an option - d3d11.dll was not found, or does not contain the necessary function, or is damaged so that the function is inaccessible.

Bug fix

The fix for the function access error in d3d11.dll is to rearrange the library itself. DLL - executable code, enter into such a file and edit it will not work. Moreover, the file refers to the 11th version of the DirectX package.

Thus, the first way to eliminate the error is to rearrange the DirectX 11 package. This method is simple and tested a long time ago, the main thing is to find the working version of the add-in itself, it is best done on the official Microsoft website.

Installing DirectX on Windows

Another way is to rearrange the d3d11.dll file itself. This can be done with the help of a specialized utility dll-files.com, which is free and available on the same site.

So, install and run dll-files.

Search for a DLL file in the DLL-files.com program

In the search bar, enter "d3d11.dll". After the library is found, click "Install".

Installing a DLL file in the DLL-files.com program

If you are used to doing everything yourself, then the problem can be solved manually - this is the third way. To use it, download the d3d11.dll file and place it in the required system folder. Here you need to be careful, since this folder is different in different versions of Windows (in the examples it is assumed that the system is installed on the “C:” drive, if this is not the case, then the drive must be appropriate):

  • in versions of Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 - C: \ Windows \ System32;
  • in Windows 95, 98 and Me - C: \ Windows \ System;
  • on Windows NT and 2000 - C: \ WINNT \ System32.

Take into account - if there is also a version of the system for a 64-bit processor, then the final folder for our file is “SysWOW64” anyway.

Overwriting a file into a folder does not yet provide work with it. Now you need to register it in the Windows registry. To do this, we execute the following command via the command window (Start / Main menu / Run): regsvr32 d3d11.dll.

Conclusion

The solution to the overwhelming majority of problems associated with external dynamically loaded libraries of the Windows operating system is often associated simply with rearranging the library itself, either independently or through a common package (in our example, DirectX 11).

It is possible to install a dll file in the system and manually, by simply copying it into the desired folder. But, first, you need to know this folder. And, secondly, such a file will need to be registered in the Windows system registry. There can not do without the office utilities working with the registry of the system itself.

If you encounter a similar error, then write about your experience in the comments.