How to Fix the D3DX9_43.dll Not Found or Missing Error

Is the “d3dx9_43.dll not found” error stopping you from playing the most sought-after Windows PC game that you just installed? Fix it already by applying these DIY troubleshooting ideas.

Gaming on Windows 10 and 11 PCs evolved a lot after the introduction of the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app architecture by Microsoft. However, many legacy Windows PC games still use various DLL files to function on Windows 11 and 10 PCs.

Considering you installed one such legacy game app and the appropriate DLL file for DirectX support isn’t available, the game won’t play. Not to worry since any of the following quick fixes should resolve the DirectX compatibility issue on your Windows PC.

What’s the d3dx9_43.dll Missing Error?

The d3dx9_43.dll file is part of the Microsoft DirectX runtime software or 3D rendering driver. All the latest Windows 11 and 10 PCs come with built-in DirectX 12 support. Thus, the latest Windows PC games from Microsoft Store or other third-party sources won’t face any issues provided that the PC system also houses a robust graphics card to render 3D graphics of such modern games.

Also read: How to Check Direct X Version in Windows 11

But if you’ve got a huge collection of PC game DVDs dated before the introduction of Windows 10 or 11 PCs and want to run those on Win 11 or 10, you may face the d3dx9_43.dll missing error. Other errors that users experience related to the d3dx9_43.dll file are as outlined here:

• D3dx9_43.dll not found. Reinstalling might help fix this.
• The file d3dx9_43.dll is missing
• D3dx9_43.DLL Not Found
• File d3dx9_43.dll not found
• This Program Can’t Start Because xinput1_3.Dll or d3dx9_43.Dll Is Missing

Reasons for d3dx9_43.dll Was Not Found Error

Here are some common reasons for the “d3dx9_43.dll missing” error:

• There are no DirectX 9.0 DLL files on your Windows 11 or 10 PC
• Malware or antivirus programs deleted the d3dx9_43.dll file
• The game app doesn’t support the d3dx9_43.dll file version on your Win 11 or 10 PC
• The application is unable to use the d3dx9_43.dll file in the current Windows OS

How to Fix d3dx9_43.dll Not Found Error

Though the “d3dx9_43.dll missing” error is quite severe, the fixes are overly simple. Try the fixes below in the order they appear. Most of the troubleshooting ideas will also work on legacy Windows PCs like Win 8, 7, Vista, etc.

1. Download d3dx9_43.dll From External Sources

If the error simply occurs as the d3dx9_43.dll file is missing, then this method should fix the issue right away. Here’s what you need to do:

• For 64-bit Windows PC, download the 64-bit DLL file. For 32-bit, download the matching file.
• Now go to the Downloads folder and extract the zipped DLL file.
• Select the D3DX9_43 and hit Ctrl + C.
• Now, go to the following Windows directory:

C:WindowsSystem32

• Hit Ctrl + V to paste the DLL file inside System32.

2. Re-Install DirectX

If the above method doesn’t fix the issue, your PC’s DirectX installation is faulty. Follow these steps to fix it:

• Pick the language of your choice and hit the Download button.
• Once downloaded, go to the Downloads folder and double-click the installation package.
• Follow on-screen prompts to complete the DirectX installation.
• Now, restart the PC and test the game app again.

3. Update Windows 11 Display Driver

If you’re using onboard graphics hardware like Intel UHD or a similar kind, do the following to update the display driver:

• Hit Windows + I to open the Settings app.
• Click Windows Update on the left side navigation pane.
• Select Advanced options at the right-side panel.

• Click Optional updates.
• Apply the display driver-related update from there.
• If you don’t find any Optional updates, go to the Device Manager app.
• You can type Device on the Start menu to find the app.
• Inside the Device Manager dialog box, expand the Display adapters device.

• Select the device that shows up, right-click, and choose Update Driver.
• Restart the PC before testing the game app.

Also read: How to Discover What Graphics Card You’re Using

4. Update Third-Party Display Driver

Suppose you’re using a discrete graphics adapter bought from a third-party manufacturer like Nvidia or AMD Radeon, try these steps to update graphics drivers:

• Visit any of the following graphics hardware manufacturers to download the latest drivers:
• Once you have downloaded the appropriate driver for your graphics adapter, install the software package.
• Reboot the Windows PC and check if the issue got resolved or not.

Also read: Discrete vs Integrated Graphics

5. Allow Microsoft Store App Updates

Let’s consider that you installed a game app through the Microsoft Store. When trying to play the game, you see the “The file d3dx9_43.dll is missing” warning. In this situation, do the following:

• Ensure the App updates feature is active on Microsoft Store.
• To check, open the Microsoft Store app and click your initials or avatar beside the search box.
• Go to Settings.

• The App updates toggle button should be in the On position.
• If it’s ON, you don’t need to do anything. Try other troubleshooting.
• If it’s OFF, uninstall the game app from Apps > Installed apps.
• Now, activate App updates on Microsoft Store.
• Re-install the game app.

6. Apply Pending Windows Updates

Look for Windows updates that you haven’t applied yet. Here’s how it’s done:

• Press the Windows + I keys together to open Settings.
• Now, click Windows Update.

• On the right-side panel, click Check for Updates, Resume Updates, or Download & Install Updates.
• Any of the above will help you update the Windows 11 or 10 PC.
• Now, reboot the PC and try to run the game app again.

7. Run DISM and SFC on Windows to Fix System Files

Sometimes, corrupted Windows system files can also force a game to malfunction and show the “d3dx9_43.dll not found” error. To fix Windows system files, follow these instructions on your PC:

• Click Start and type Command.
• Choose the Run as administrator hyperlink on the right side.

• As the Command Prompt with elevated rights opens, copy and paste this command and hit Enter:

SFC /scannow

• The Command Promot will show the system file verification action with a percentage of progress.
• If the verification phase of the SFC scan finds any issues, it’ll start repairing those system files.
• Once the scanning and repairing task is over, restart the Windows PC.
• Now, attempt to launch the game app.

If the SFC scan turns out to be okay and nothing to fix, you need to start the DISM scan. Here’s how:

• On the same Command Prompt window, type the following command and hit Enter:

dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

• Follow any on-screen instructions and allow the scan to complete.
• Once done, check the game app again.

8. Restore the Windows PC

If you know that the game worked before but not working now on your Windows PC, you may want to restore the PC to the last known good configuration. This method rarely works because you may not have created a restore point back then when the game was working. However, it’s worth giving a try by following these steps:

• Click the Start menu and type Restore.

• Select the Recovery option under Settings or Best match.
• Inside the Recovery dialog box, click Open System Restore.
• On the System Restore dialog box, click Next.

• Pick a restore point under the Date and Time column.
• Click Next.
• On the Confirm your restore point dialog box, click Finish to start the process.
• Once it’s done and the system reboots, test the game app.

9. Uninstall and Reinstall the Game App

Often, the game app may install with corrupt game files. Hence, the component on the game installation folder that recognizes the d3dx9_43.dll file, may be corrupted. Thus, the game EXE file is unable to determine that the d3dx9_43.dll file is present.

In this situation, you need to uninstall the game app from Apps > Installed apps. Then, re-install the game carefully. Don’t run any background app or other software when you’re installing the game app.

10. Use Dual Boot PC

You can also link the “d3dx9_43.dll not found” error with an incompatible Windows operating system. For example, the game app no longer supports Windows 10 or 11. You need Windows 7 or 8 OSs to run it. In that case, no matter how much you try to replace and fix DirectX DLL files, the game won’t work.

The game app can’t just utilize the DirectX DLL files under the current Windows environment. Thus, you need to resort to dual-boot PCs where you can run Windows 11 along with Windows 7 or 8.

Conclusion

So, now you know how to fix the “d3dx9_43.dll not found” error for legacy game apps on the latest Windows 11 or 10 PCs. Try the troubleshooting mentioned here one at a time and the issue should resolve in no time. If you know any other cool and easy fix for the “d3dx9_43.dll was not found” error, do mention that in the comment box below.

Next up, How to Check GPU Health Using These Best Methods.