Users of personal computers with the Windows operating system, when trying to start some kind of game, may encounter an error due to the lack of a dynamic OpenAL32.dll library. In some cases, it can occur even when you run some kind of multimedia files.
Before talking about ways to eliminate this error, it is worth immediately explaining what it is. The OpenAL32.dll file is, as has already been said, a dynamic library that is cross-platform. It is part of the OpenGL software package, and its main purpose is to correctly display surround sound. That is, the library is responsible for the sound in games and in some programs.
Method One: File Lock
If you understand why the OpenAL32.dll error occurs, it will immediately become clear that it is most often due to virus infection. The scenario is as follows: you picked up a malicious program on the Internet that somehow made changes to the library code. Your antivirus detects this and blocks the file, quarantining it. However, it is worth saying that sometimes the file may be blocked by the antivirus by mistake, but this happens extremely rarely.
The way out of the situation is quite simple. For example, if you are 100% sure that the file is not infected, go to the antivirus settings and add it to the exclusion list. In order not to take risks, you can simply disable the antivirus program for a while. In this case, the game or program will start, but if the file is infected, then after some time the library will be blocked again.
Such a file needs to be cured. It is recommended to do this with one of the following programs:
But in some cases only a library replacement will help. How to do this will be described below.
Method Two: System Rollback
Absolutely this method will help you get rid of the problem, but there is one caveat: you had to create a restore point before the problem with the missing library appeared.
So, if you have one, then follow these steps:
Go to the "Control Panel".
Go to the "System" menu.
In the window that opens, click "Advanced system settings" in the left pane.
In the window, go to the "System Protection" tab.
Click the Restore button.
After that, the "System Restore Wizard" will open. By following the instructions given to them, you can fix the problem.
Method three: clean the registry
In some cases, OpenAL32.dll error could be related to a incorrect registry. Fortunately, you can solve the problem by cleaning it using any program equipped with this function. However, it is recommended to use CCleaner, which, by the way, comes free, so you do not have to look for a “crack” on the network.
So here is what you need to do:
Open the program.
Go to the "Registry" category in the left pane.
Check the boxes next to all items in the "Registry Integrity" column.
Click the "Search for problems" button.
After the search is completed, click the "Fix ..." button.
Click the "Fix selected" button.
After that, the program will fix or delete unnecessary registry keys, and if the error is associated with them, then it will disappear.
Method Four: Download and Install the Library
There is another interesting way that 100% will help you get rid of the problem. To get started, you will need to download OpenAL32.dll from the network for Windows 8 or any other version of the OS. However, it is worth considering the fact that many sites spread viruses on the Web in this way, so be sure to scan the file after downloading.
The next step is to place the downloaded library in the appropriate directory. The path to it is as follows: C: \ Windows \ System32. Throw OpenAL32.dll there, and the error will be fixed. By the way, if you use a 64-bit version of the OS, then the folder will be called SysWOW64.