How to Fix Office 2016 Missing and VCRUNTIME140_1.dll Error
Question details
The user needs to restore Microsoft Office 2016 applications after a system update caused them to disappear and trigger a missing DLL error.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2016
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Attempting to locate and launch Office applications following a Windows OS upgrade.
- Observed behavior
- Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are missing from Apps and Features and do not open, instead displaying a system error stating VCRUNTIME140_1.dll is missing.
Before making system changes, verify if you have your original Office 2016 product key or access to the Microsoft account linked to your purchase, as you may need to completely reinstall the software.
Run an Online Repair for Microsoft Office
Use the built-in Windows repair tool to fix corrupted Office files and restore missing DLL dependencies.
Windows includes an Online Repair feature specifically designed to detect and replace missing or corrupted Microsoft Office files, including essential runtime DLLs that may have been lost during a system update.
Right-click the Windows Start menu and select 'Apps and Features' or navigate to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
Scroll through the list of installed applications to find your Microsoft Office 2016 installation. Click on it and select 'Modify'.
Choose 'Online Repair' from the prompt and click 'Repair'. Follow the on-screen instructions and restart your computer once the process finishes.
Uninstall and Reinstall Office 2016
If the repair tool fails to restore the missing applications, reinstalling Office from your Microsoft account will reset all configurations.
Contact Microsoft Support for OEM Licenses
If your Office 2016 came pre-installed on your PC and you cannot find it in your Microsoft account, you must contact support for licensing assistance.
Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Activation and Update Errors
If your Office 2016 is unrecoverable due to lost product keys or persistent missing DLL errors, WPS Office is a perfect, free alternative. It is highly compatible with Microsoft formats, lightweight, and won't break after routine Windows updates.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Click the download button to get the free, lightweight WPS Office installer.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the brief on-screen instructions to set up the suite.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents with full compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VCRUNTIME140_1.dll error?
It is an error related to the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package. When a Windows update corrupts or removes this specific DLL file, programs relying on it, such as Microsoft Office 2016, fail to launch properly.
How do I reinstall Office 2016 if I don't have a product key?
If your license is linked to your Microsoft account, you can simply log in to your Services & subscriptions page online to download it without needing a key. If it was an OEM license (pre-installed) without a linked account, you will need to contact Microsoft Support with your proof of purchase.
Why did Office disappear from Apps and Features after a Windows update?
Major Windows updates can sometimes cause registry conflicts or fail to migrate older software installations correctly. This causes Windows to lose track of installed programs, making them disappear from the application list even if their files still exist on the hard drive.
