list of solutions for the error: steam_api.dll is missing

[Crashdyv]

After having to restore my system I ran into the error: "steam_api.dll is missing" .

Here are the possible problems and the solutions I found on the internet. Note that I have Windows 7 so solutions may need to be changed for other OS's.

I am going to assume you have a working knowledge of basic directory structures and how to find and browse install and file paths.

I tried most of the solutions and it was the one for #3 which fixed my problem.


Problem #1: steam_api.dll may be corrupted or missing files

Solution:

1. browse to the game folder and delete the file or move it to the desktop
2. connect to steam, go to your game library and select the game with the problem
3. right click the game and select properties
4. choose the tab at the top titled "Local Files" and select "Verify game cache"
5. wait for verification to complete (usually between 2 and 5 minutes), test game to see if it runs
Note: most games will reaquire 2 files, this is due to the dll missing (intended here) and the fact that games modify files (the verifier thinks the file modified by the game is corrupted, this will not break the game)

Problem #2: the game applications (the executable / program) may need a higher level of permissions to run which prevents calling the dll

Solution:

1. browse to the game folder
2. find every application (not application extension) and right click for properties, choose compatibility tab, and set for "Run as Administrator"
3. test game to see if it runs


Problem #3: steam_api.dll is not being recognised in the current folder

Solution:

1. browse to the game folder and --> COPY <-- steam_api.dll to the desktop
2. browse to c:\WINDOWS\System32
3. --> COPY <-- the dll into the system32 folder, making sure *NOT* to copy into a subfolder
4. browse to c:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64
5. --> COPY <-- (or drag) the dll into the systWOW64 folder, making sure *NOT* to copy into a subfolder
6. test game to see if it runs
Note: you will now have steam_api.dll in the game folder, the system32 folder and syswow64 folder, and you can remove the desktop copy


These next 2 solutions take longer

Problem #4: the game did not install correctly

Solution:

1. go to Uninstall Programs and uninstall the game
2. go to your steam library and reinstall the game
3. test game to see if it runs


Problem #5: Steam itself did not install correctly

Solution:

1. browse to the Steam folder
2. drag the steamapps folder to the desktop (this will preserve the game(s) you have downloaded and prevent needing to reaquire from library)
3. uninstall steam
4. reinstall steam
5. drag the steamapps folder from desktop into the steam folder
6. test game


There is another common return you find if searching the internet, which is to download the .dll from a 3rd party site. I advise against this as the .dll from steam is the latest version, and the files from 3rd party sites may be out of date versions, may have been modified to bring malware, viruses, or even scripts which can compromise system security.