In some cases, mso.dll errors could indicate a registry problem, a virus or malware issue, or even a hardware failure.
Mso.dll Errors
There are several ways mso.dll errors can show up on your computer. Here are some of the more common messages you might see:
Mso.dll Not FoundThis application failed to start because mso.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.Cannot find [PATH]\mso.dllThe file mso.dll is missing.Cannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: mso.dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again.
The context of the error is an important piece of information that will be helpful while solving the problem. The error message most likely appears while using or installing certain programs, or when Windows starts or shuts down. However, as mentioned above, it’s most common to see a mso.dll error when using a Microsoft product. The mso.dll error message could apply to any program or system that might utilize the file on any of Microsoft’s operating systems, including Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000.
How to Fix Mso.dll Errors
Follow these steps in the order they’re listed below to address the simpler solutions first.
Need More Help?
If you’re not interested in fixing this problem yourself, see How Do I Get My Computer Fixed? for a full list of your support options, plus help with everything along the way like figuring out repair costs, getting your files off, choosing a repair service, and a lot more. If you suspect this, but you’ve already emptied the Recycle Bin, you may be able to recover the file with a free file recovery program. Just make sure to do this only if it was working properly before it was deleted (i.e., it wasn’t corrupted or malicious). One really easy way to do this is to save your work and then simply restart the computer. Or, if the program supports it, repair the installation instead. For example, if you’re seeing the mso.dll error in an Office product, open Programs and Features in Control Panel, select the app, and go to Change > Repair. If the hardware fails any of your tests, replace the memory or replace the hard drive as soon as possible.