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Packet.dll is Missing: 5 Ways to Download the DLL
Installing Npcap is the easiest solution
4 min. read
Published onNovember 8, 2024
published onNovember 8, 2024
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For fixing DLL errors, we recommend Fortect:
Fortect will search for an intitial version of your missing, corrupted or damaged DLL files that cause problems to your Windows OS and will replace it. Here is how to find them in 3 easy steps:
Thepacket.dllfile, a component ofWinPcap, is used by several applications and tools, primarily for network-related functions. When it’s not found, the error message reads,The program can’t start because packtet.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.
Tools that rely onpacket.dllincludeeNSP, Ostinato Traffic Generator, URL Snooper, andWireshark, amongst others, and all these have, in the past, thrown errors due to the missing DLL.
Before you proceed, reboot the PC, install pending updates for the affected app, and disable any third-party antivirus installed on the PC.
What can I do when packet.dll is missing?
1. Manually add packet.dll
The easiest fix whenpacket.dllis missing is to get a copy of the DLL from another PC and add it to the relevant directory on the affected computer. While doing so, make sure both the PCs are running the same iteration and architecture(32-bit or 64-bit)of Windows.
As for its location,packet.dllis stored in:C:\Windows\System32
Now, connect a USB flash drive to another PC > go to theSystem32folder > copy the DLL file to the flash drive > plug the USB drive into the affected PC > transferpacket.dllto the same location > restart the PC to apply the changes.
2. Install WinPcap or Npcap
Thepacket.dllfile is not natively a part of Windows but is included in theWinPcaplibrary. So, when it’s missing, installingWinPcapfrom the official website will quickly fix things.
However,WinPcaphasn’t been updated in years and might lead to compatibility issues with newer iterations of the OS, such as Windows 10 or Windows 11. For these iterations, developers recommend usingNpcap, a more suitable library.
Both software are easy to install and wouldn’t take more than a minute. Besides, upon gettingNpcap, I was able to downloadpacket.dllto theSystem32folder on my PC.
3. Whitelist the affected application in Windows Security
If Windows Security or another antivirus mistookpacket.dllfor a threat, you will have torecover the fileand then add the affected program to the list of exclusions so that the DLL remains safe from such actions in the future.
4. Reinstall the affected application
5. Perform a system restore
If recent changes to the PC deletedpacket.dll, a system restore will revert that and prevent further occurrences of the same. However, it won’t download the missing DLL, and you will have to add it manually.
Also, if you frequently face such issues, it’s best to use atop-rated DLL repair tool, which will restore all missing DLLs in one go!
For any queries or to share which fix worked for you, drop a comment below.
More about the topics:DLL errors,DLL issues
Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim has always been fond of technology, be it scrolling through the settings on his iPhone, Android device, or Windows PC. He’s specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
Long-time Windows user, Kazim is ready to provide a solution for your every software & hardware error on Windows 11, Windows 10 and any previous iteration. He’s also one of our experts in Networking & Security.
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Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim is specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
