My computer can’t start, and shows the message:
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \system32\hal.dll. Please re-install a copy of the above file.
How can I fix this issue and make my PC functional? Does anyone have suggestion?
Hi there, the Hal.dll file, also the Hardware Abstraction Layer file, is essential the driver for the motherboard to assist the communication between the computer’s hardware and software. It is located in the C:\Windows\system32\hal.dll. folder.
The hal.dll file being deleted or corrupted will lead to a hal.dll file error. While a damaged hard drive or primary boot code issue brings such an error as well.
We have gathered all the hal.dll errors online, which can show up in the following formats:
When you unluckily run into this trouble, you can try the following solutions to get rid of it:
Solution 1: Boot into safe mode
Step 1: Power on your computer and when the Windows/manufacturer’s Logo appears, then power off - Repeat this action 3 times. Then your computer will go into Advanced Recovery Environment.
Step 2: Advanced Options > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
Step 3: Press 4 or F4 to enable Safe Mode (5 or F5 to enable Safe Mode with Networking).
Step 4: Log in once Windows starts in safe mode. See whether you can log in. If yes, come out of this and start normally.
If you are not able to boot like above, You will need to boot through a Bootable USB drive.
Solution 2: Run System Restore or Startup Repair
When you’re in the Advanced Options, you can:
System Restore - This will restore your system to a point where things are working fine.
Startup Repair - Startup Repair upgrade fixes all Windows errors and retains all files, applications, and settings.
Solution 3: Reset this PC
Step 1: Boot into Safe Mode > Troubleshoot > Reset this PC - Keep my files and Remove everything. Choose this carefully as most likely you would like to keep your files. Then All apps will be removed and windows will be reinstalled, and you can check if the hal.dll file errr is fixed.
Solution 4: Clean install Windows
The last option could be a clean Install. This is the best method to perform a clean install of Windows 10. Before clean installing Windows, please carefully back up everything on your machine since it will be erased in the installation.
When I try to start up my computer, I’m greeted with an error message that says “Windows could not start because \System32\Hal.dll is missing or corrupt.” I’m not exactly sure what this file does, but it seems pretty important. I haven’t made any major changes to my system recently, so I’m not sure what might have triggered this. I’ve tried restarting several times, but the same error message keeps popping up. I’m not sure if there’s a way to fix this without reinstalling Windows, which I’d like to avoid if possible.
You can scan and repair Windows operating system files by using the System File Checker (SFC.exe) tool, if Windows cannot start. Alternatively, you can Reset your PC to get this message fixed.