Games require not only the power of computers, but also the presence of all the components necessary for the correct display of gameplay and graphic features. Sometimes, without them, the game starts, but is not displayed as the developer intended, but it happens that it doesn’t go, giving an error message. This article will discuss one such component called binkw32.dll. What this is and why the system produces an error with this particular component, we will analyze in this article.
Definition
We will begin, of course, with a definition. After all, without understanding what we are dealing with, it’s not worth starting a conversation about fixing the error.
So, we need to know that binkw32.dll is one of the dynamic libraries of The RAD Game VideoTools package. The package is developed by RAD Game Tools, and is necessary for the correct display of pre-rendered videos within the game. Purely theoretically, this codec can work with video material outside of games, but it is most often used in them.
Knowing that binkw32.dll is the library responsible for processing video material. We can already conclude that the game will not start if the video components in it require this library. It is in these cases that you see an error on the screens saying that the binkw32.dll file is missing on the computer.
Why does it appear?
Knowing that binkw32.dll is a dynamic library for working with video material, it is already possible to start methods of eliminating the error associated with its absence. But still, it is still worthwhile to pay attention to the reasons for the appearance of this very mistake in order to see the whole picture of what is happening.
So, there can be only three reasons:
The dynamic library file is missing on the PC.
The library has a different version than necessary.
Viruses damaged the library file.
It is worth highlighting only the third reason, since the other two are easily solved by following all the instructions below. But with the virus, not everything is so simple. The fact is that if you have one, it affects the binkw32.dll file itself, which means that even after updating or replacing it, the latter will still be infected. Therefore, before you start troubleshooting, check your computer for viruses.
Method one: install the package
Earlier it was said that the library that we are analyzing in the article is part of The RAD Game VideoTools package, which means that by downloading and installing the package on your computer, you can get rid of the annoying error, since the necessary library will be installed along with him.
No one needs to tell how to install applications on Windows, all users have come across this one way or another, but you need to tell where to download the package from. The fact is that this package is in the public domain, that is, absolutely anyone can download it and put it up for download on its resource. Attackers also actively take advantage of this opportunity, changing the package code and uploading the already infected file to their resource. That is why download the package only on the official website of the company.
Method two: install the library
If you still could not use the previous method, then the program binkw32.dll can be installed separately from the package. Just now it will be told how to do it.
All you need to know is where to download and where to throw binkw32.dll. Now let's go in order:
Where to download from. It is necessary to download the library file from a third-party site, since it is not officially distributed separately from the package. However, you need to approach the choice of source responsibly, because attackers can infect it with a virus. It is recommended that you check the file with antivirus after downloading, just in case.
Where to throw. It all depends on your version of Windows. If it is 32-bit, then it must be placed in the "System32" folder, and if it is 64-bit, then in "SysWOW64". Both of these folders are located on the system drive in the Windows folder.
After you put the file there, you will need to register it. To do this, press Win + R and run the command "regsvr binkw32.dll".