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Wininet.dll Not Found: How to Fix or Download it Again

Try creating a new user profile as yours might be corrupt

5 min. read

Updated onSeptember 18, 2024

updated onSeptember 18, 2024

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Key notes

WinINet stands for Windows Internet and is a library that provides applications with Internet functionality. It is included with Microsoft Windows and can be used by any application written in native code.

If aDLL file is missing from your system, especially the Wininet.dll, accessing the Internet can be hard or impossible. We now explore how to restore this crucial DLL file in your system to keep things running smoothly on your PC.

What is Wininet DLL?

WinINet DLL is a file that contains a set of functions that enable Windows applications to communicate over the Internet. You can find the file in the following location:C:\Windows\System32

It is designed primarily for use by Microsoft Internet Explorer, but it can also be used by other applications that need to access types of data normally found on the Internet.

WinINet is a layered API that consists of several subsystems:

Being a critical component of Windows, you may have trouble opening some programs or accessing the Internet if it is missing. Some of the major causes of the wininet.dll not found error include acorrupt user profile,broken registry entries, and a virus attack on your system.

How can I fix the Wininet.dll file if it is missing?

Try your luck with the following basic steps first before any advanced troubleshooting:

1. Use a DLL repair tool

The Wininet.dll file is a Windows file, making it easier for a third-partyDLL fixerto do the repair job. Such programs have a comprehensive database of DLL files that can replace the missing ones instantly. The repair is 100% guaranteed with this file since is a system file.

2. Run the DISM and SFC scans

3. Run a virus scan

4. Create a new user profile

Whereas this step won’t help you fix the Wininet.dll not found error, it will be a step closer to checking off the list whether you have a corrupt user profile. If it works, you can take the necessary steps torepair your profile.

5. Download the file manually

You may have accidentally deleted the file, or if you had a virus infection, it made some changes to your PC. An easy way would be todownload the Wininet.dll filefrom a reliable third-party site such as DLL-files.

Even if it is a trusted site, always ensure you have a backup with adependable antivirusthat will scan any files before they find your way into your system.

6. Perform a repair upgrade

Users who went with this solution also recommendedperforming a Disk Cleanupafter the repair upgrade.

To round up this article, we’d like to direct you to our other article on how to deal withmissing DLL files on your Windows 10.

For any feedback on this article, leave a comment down below.

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Wininet.dll Not Found: How to Fix or Download it Again#

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1. Use a DLL repair tool#

2. Run the DISM and SFC scans#

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4. Create a new user profile#

5. Download the file manually#

6. Perform a repair upgrade#