What happens is that the SFC (system file checker) acts as a troubleshooter, helping to identify existing issues with system files on Windows, as well as to solve the identified issues. This should help you fix the Wow64.dll missing error. If, however, this doesn’t fix the issue, check out other solutions below.
Finish Windows Updates
If the solutions provided above have proved abortive in resolving the Wow64.dll missing issue, then you should consider updating your system as missing or corrupt Wow64.dll issues are sometimes related to out-of-date Windows operating systems or incomplete system updates.
Updating your system is quite simple; just follow the following steps:
- Launch the Windows start menu by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.
- Type in “Update” in the search bar and press the Enter key. This takes you directly to the Windows Update settings page.
- Incomplete updates will be reflected in the Windows Update dialogue. If you have any, make sure to complete the downloads and install them.
- In the case that you do not have incomplete updates pending, you should check for updates by clicking on “Check for Updates.”
- Download and install available updates, and once the process is finished, restart your PC.
When your PC reboots, check to see if the Wow64.dll issue has been fixed. It should have, but if not, there’s no reason to panic. We still have you covered on this. Proceed to our next proffered solution.
Boot into Safe Mode
Before you try this method out, make sure you have copied the Wow64.dll file located in the System 32 folder from another Windows 10 PC apart from yours on to a USB drive.
- Once you’ve done that, proceed to boot your system in Safe Mode by pressing F8 during the boot process.
- Navigate to C:\Windows\System32, right-click on Wow64.dll, and select Properties.
- In the Wow64.dll Properties Window, navigate to the Security tab and select “Advanced.”
- Navigate to the tab named “Owner” and change Owner to “Administrators.”
- Once you’ve changed ownership of the Wow64.dll file, delete the current Wow64.dll file in your System32 folder and replace it with the copy on the USB drive.
- Perform a normal Restart of your computer and check if the Wow64.dll issue has been resolved.
If the issue still persists, there are still options to consider.
Another way to solve the Wow64.dll missing error is to restore your system to a point before the error started. Of course, this will work if you created a system restore point before you started experiencing the Wow64.dll issue. Follow these steps to perform a system restore:
- Launch the Start menu by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.
- In the search bar, type System Restore and press Enter.
- If you’re prompted to enter an administrator password, do so.
- The System Restore wizard will open, follow the steps, and choose a restore point before the error.
- Restore your computer to that point and restart your PC. If that still doesn’t solve the issue, proceed to other options listed below.
Use Third-Party Software (Excercise Caution Here!)
This method is similar to performing an SFC scan; the difference here is that you’re employing a third-party utility software that you’ll have to download. You must exercise some caution here so that you don’t end up compounding the problem. Make sure to download only trusted third-party utility software.
When you have found a trustworthy third-party utility software to download, install, and run it to fix any existing Wow64.dll errors on your PC. Hopefully, at this point, the Wow64.dll missing error should be solved. If it still persists, try refreshing your computer.
Refresh PC
This is another method of resolving the Wow64.dll missing error on your Windows 10 PC. To refresh your PC without losing your files or changing your settings:
- Launch the Windows Start menu and search for Settings.
- In the Settings window, navigate to “Change PC Settings”.
- Click on “Change PC Settings,” and you’ll see the “Update and Recovery” option.
- Tap on the “Update and Recovery” option and then click on “Recovery.”
- Look out for the option to “Refresh your PC without affecting your files” and click “Get Started.”
- Follow the series of instructions to complete the “Refresh PC” process.
Hopefully, you won’t have to go beyond this point, but if the Wow64.dll missing error still persists, there’s a final measure that’s certain to fix the issue.
Reinstall Windows 10
This is an advanced method of fixing the Wow64.dll missing error as it will be time-consuming, and you stand the risk of losing all of your files, settings, installers, and documents. So, you want to make sure that you’ve backed up all of your important personal data before proceeding with this. Also, you should consider this option only if you’ve tried other methods discussed above and the issue is still not fixed, or if the Wow64.dll missing error affects most or all apps on your computer.
Reinstalling Windows 10 will help fix any issues and return your computer to a cleaner state.
There you go, you have been provided with just everything you’ll need to fix the Wow64.dll missing error. If any of the solutions proffered here worked for you, which definitely will be the case, make sure you recommend this post to other Windows 10 users.
