Fix Acrobat 2017 acotray.exe msvcp140.dll Missing Error on Print to PDF
Question details
The user encounters an acotray.exe error stating msvcp140.dll is missing when attempting to print a document to PDF.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat 2017
- Device & OS
- Windows 7
- Scenario
- Printing a document to PDF using the Acrobat 2017 virtual printer after performing a software update.
- Observed behavior
- An error message pops up from acotray.exe indicating that msvcp140.dll is missing. Reinstalling Adobe Acrobat and the Visual C++ runtime does not resolve the persistent failure.
Before proceeding, verify that your Windows 7 system is fully updated through Windows Update and ensure you have administrative privileges to install missing system libraries.
Install the Latest Supported Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
Since msvcp140.dll is a core component of the Microsoft Visual C++ runtime, installing the latest officially supported package can often restore the missing file system-wide.
This error frequently occurs when the specific C++ runtime libraries required by Acrobat's background printing processes (like acotray.exe) are either missing, outdated, or corrupted during a software update.
Open your web browser and navigate to the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable download page.
Download both the x86 and x64 architecture versions of the latest Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022 redistributable packages to ensure maximum compatibility.
Right-click the downloaded executable files and select 'Run as administrator', following the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
Reboot your Windows 7 PC to ensure the newly installed DLL files are correctly registered in the system before trying to print to PDF again.
Verify Acrobat and Operating System Compatibility
Newer Acrobat updates may drop support for legacy operating systems like Windows 7, causing background printing services to fail entirely.
Use WPS Office for Hassle-Free PDF Printing and Editing
If Acrobat continues to throw system compatibility errors on Windows 7, WPS Office provides a fully functional, lightweight alternative. It features a built-in, independent PDF creation engine that doesn't rely on problematic external virtual printer drivers.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install the free version of WPS Office from the official website.
- 2. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer, Spreadsheets, or Presentation and open the file you wish to convert to PDF.
- 3. Export to PDF natively: Click on the 'Menu' button in the top left corner and select 'Export to PDF' to generate your file seamlessly without relying on acotray.exe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is the msvcp140.dll file?
It is a crucial Microsoft C++ runtime library file required by many Windows applications, including Adobe Acrobat, to execute background processes and services properly.
Why does the error persist even after reinstalling Acrobat 2017?
Reinstalling Adobe Acrobat typically only replaces the core application files. It does not repair or replace corrupted Windows system components like the Visual C++ Redistributable packages where the DLL resides.
Can I manually download the missing msvcp140.dll file from a third-party website?
It is highly discouraged to download standalone DLL files from third-party sites due to malware risks and potential version mismatches. Always use official Microsoft Visual C++ installers to fix missing libraries.
Does WPS Office require the acotray.exe process to create PDFs?
No, WPS Office utilizes its own independent, built-in PDF creation engine. It does not rely on Adobe's acotray.exe service or its associated external dependencies.
