How to fix
XAudio2_6.dll is missing
on Windows

Hello. I am experiencing a problem with my gaming computer. Every time I am trying to launch any game, the PC shows the following error message: "XAudio2_6.dll is missing. Try to restart the application and see if it fixes the problem" and the game does not launch at all. Is there any solution for this problem?

Several users reported XAudio2_6.dll is missing issue on the forums. Some users claimed that they are unable to launch any games, and others said that the error makes their game crash.[ref en-1] It can be a massive problem because the constant crashing prevents games from running smoothly. Nevertheless, it is relatively easy to fix XAudio2_6.dll is missing from Windows 10.

DLLs are dynamic link library[ref en-2] files used by all Windows operating systems. Similarly to .exe files, DLLs help Windows to execute specific commands to ensure proper function of certain features, for example, running a game. The XAudio2_6.dll is missing error usually occurs due to problems with DirectX or audio drivers.

DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces[ref en-3] (APIs) and is essential for Windows to run any video game. Therefore, if some bugs within it exist, it can cause games to crash by showing an error message. 

Although it is most likely that DirectX problems are causing XAudio2_6.dll issues, there is a chance that your machine is infected with a virus. Some malware[ref en-4] is capable of disguising well and displaying no symptoms at all. Nevertheless, users are bound to encounter several error messages (Blue screen of death stop error is some cases), and XAudio2_6.dll is missing from Windows 10 might be one of them.

Therefore, to make sure that the culprit is not a virus, we advise users to scan their computers using reputable security software, such as [d1]. Sneaky infections might block the operation of an anti-malware program, so you might have to run it in Safe Mode with Networking. Besides, this tool is also capable of fixing several computer issues automatically.

If you do not wish to buy the repair tool, you should keep on reading for XAudio2_6.dll is missing from Windows 10 fix.

This video will help you with this problem:
[youtube P8TXThDcMcU]

Fix 1. Update DirectX to the newest version

Quite often, DirectX is included with games that are installed. Therefore, if you are having problems with a specific game only, you might try to install the provided version inside the game's directory. If the error is affecting multiple games, you should simply install the newest version. To do that, visit the official Microsoft website and download the latest DirectX, which would update all versions below 9.0c.

Fix 2. Update audio drivers

Some users reported that updating sound drivers helped them to fix XAudio2_6.dll is missing error. You can upgrade them manually by using the instructions below or by installing third-party software that will automatically update everything. We suggest using [rev id=”Smart Driver Updater”]. Follow these steps if you want to update drivers yourself:

• Right-click on Start button and select Device Manager
• Expand Sound, video and game controllers tab
• Right-click your audio device and choose Update driver
• Then, pick Search automatically for updated driver software.
• Let Windows find and install drivers for you

  

Fix 3. Install the latest Windows updates

In some cases, people forget to update the Windows operating system which can cause several issues, including  XAudio2_6.dll is missing error. Thus, make sure your system is up to do the following way:

• Right-click on the Start button and select Settings
• Scroll down and pick Updates and security
• Click on Check for updates
• Let Windows to install the required updates and restart your computer

  

Fix 4. Register XAudio2_6.dll with Microsoft Register Server manually

DLL files usually register with Microsoft Register Server automatically. But in some cases, the process might fail. Therefore, re-register the file manually:

• Right-click on the Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin)
• Enter regsvr32 /u XAudio2_6.dll line into the active window and hit Enter
• Then copy regsvr32 /i XAudio2_6.dll and paste into Command Prompt or PowerShell
• Close down the application and see if your game keeps crashing