OpenAL32.dll is missing - the .exe in the game files did not help

[Savvy]

Hey there! I'm on Windows 8.1 and got the OpenAL32.dll error when starting the updated version. As per the FAQ I went to hotline_miami\_CommonRedist\OpenAL\2.0.7.0 and started the oalinst.exe, it gave me an "Installation complete", but retrying Hotline Miami told me it was still missing the .dll file.

I downloaded one off the internet (version 6.14.357.24 because I couldn't find a 2.0.7.0) and put it in the Hotline Miami folder out of sheer desperation, and the game started, but now there's no sound. I deactivated all unused sound devices and retried, but that didn't help either.

Does anyone have a fix for this?

[Savvy]

Okay... I kept trying and just found a weird solution that helped me. My sound is working now.

I searched my computer for the missing file and found a couple, started trying them out. The first I tried instantly got me sound. It was in C:\Users\Savvy\Documents\Curse\Minecraft\Install\versions\forge-10.13.4.1614\forge-10.13.4.1614-natives-645521600012 so I guess some Minecraft mod I installed weeks ago also needed the dll and it was compatible?

I'm hoping this doesn't cause any other problems, but at least if it does, I'll know a likely cause.

[Skymirrh]

Originally posted by Savvy:

I downloaded one off the internet

Nooooooooes, don't do that! :o

You should never download a random .DLL "as-is" from the internet (just like you should not download a random .EXE). Not only you do not know which version of the DLL you need (if you get the wrong one it won't work or you'll have issues, like you do now), you also don't know what's in the DLL, and it might as well contain a virus.

Whenever you encounter a DLL issue with an application, you need to reinstall the dependencies from a trusted source. In this case (as with every Steam game), you can find it in the application folder (as you had already guessed by looking at the FAQ).

A .DLL is basically a .EXE, so be cautious when downloading them. I strongly suggest you delete that DLL you downloaded.



Now, as for the problem itself: if reinstalling OpenAL didn't work, probably it is because the installation failed to update the DLL cache. In this case, uninstalling OpenAL manually from the installed programs list, rebooting, and then reinstalling, should do the trick.

I'm glad you fixed it by finding a compatible version from your Minecraft installation, but in case you encounter another DLL error with any program in the future, know that this won't work in all cases (as stated above: you do not know which version of the DLL you need) ;)