This file is used by Microsoft’s Windows Mobile Device Center software and the ActiveSync program, both of which are used to sync files between a computer and a mobile device. While a rapi.dll error message is normally seen only on a computer that’s missing one of these programs, in some cases, rapi.dll errors could indicate a registry problem, a virus or malware issue, or even a hardware failure.
Rapi.dll Errors
There are several ways rapi.dll errors can show up on your computer. Here are some of the more common error messages you might see:
Rapi.dll Not FoundThis application failed to start because rapi.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problemCannot find [PATH]\rapi.dllThe file rapi.dll is missingCannot start [APPLICATION]. A required component is missing: rapi.dll. Please install [APPLICATION] again
The context of the error is an important piece of information that will be helpful while solving the problem. Rapi.dll error messages might appear while using or installing certain programs, when Windows starts or shuts down, or maybe even during a Windows installation.
How to Fix Rapi.dll Errors
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 data recovery program. Install Microsoft ActiveSync if you’re using Windows XP when you see this DDL error message. This is the program that puts the rapi.dll file on Windows XP computers, so it should be the only install necessary to fix a missing rapi.dll error message. Of the three download options on that page, the only one you need is setup.msi. If the hardware fails any of your tests, replace the memory or replace the hard drive as soon as possible. We rarely recommend the use of registry cleaners. They’ve been included as an option here as a “last resort” attempt before the destructive step coming up next.
