Problems Arising from PSAPI.DLL Dynamic Link Library File

Technically, dynamic link library (DLL) is a collection of small programs, any of which can be called up when needed by a larger program that is running in the computer. Within a Windows operating system, DLL files can contain the codes used by several different programs.

Problems will arise if a DLL file is damaged, corrupted or a particular program installs an incompatible version of a DLL.file on your system. When this problem happens, you will get an error message such as “… file could not be located in the dynamic link library PSAPI.DLL.”

PSAPI.DLL (Process Status Helper) is one of the possible DLLs may cause error in Windows system. You may get some error message such as below during the boot up process:

Procedure entry point GetProcessImageFileNameW could not be located in the dynamic link library. PSAPI.DLL

According to Microsoft, there is only one PSAPI.DLL file in your PC and it is under the Windows\System 32 folder. Additional PSAPI.DLL file may be installed by third party programs such as SmartBridge, often the older version. If you have other versions of the PSAPI.DLL file in the system, it can cause your IE 7 or other windows programs that interact with IE7 to crash when you start it up. Beside, you may have annoying error message like above too.

To solve the PSAPI.DLL incompatibility issue and overcome this problem, search your PC or check the program folder of the application that crashes for a PSAPI.DLL file:

  1. Open up Search from Start Menu.
  2. Find all instances PSAPI.DLL on your PC.
  3. Rename all extra copies of PSAPI.DLL files found EXCEPT the one located in \Windows\System32\ folder to some other names like PSAPIOLD.DLL (never delete or do anything with the PSAPI.DLL file in your Windows or Windows/System 32 folder).
  4. Reboot the system.

After reboot, there will not be anymore conflict and Windows will automatically look for valid PSAPI file in the Windows system folder.

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This entry was posted on Monday, April 16th, 2007 at 11:38 pm and is filed under Operating Systems. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

15 Responses to “Problems Arising from PSAPI.DLL Dynamic Link Library File”

  1. Bob Blum
    October 25th, 2007 21:25
    1

    found several psapi.dll, but would not let me rename them. Found them in c:\I386, service pack I386, HP and Adobe files. what now?

  2. Whitesnake
    November 1st, 2007 18:34
    2

    I’m havin trouble with the damn thing also…trying to fix it, dont wanna re-install windows. Bob, try to boot Windows in SAFE MODE, and then try to rename the extra PSAPI.DLL. Good luck!

  3. sindhu
    November 11th, 2007 11:29
    3

    hello, i have this problem too for almost every other application in my system, i did the safe boot method and also made sure there arent any other psapi.dll files. yet am having the error message showing up ;/ what do i do?

  4. Soda
    November 14th, 2007 19:27
    4

    Same go for me… PSAPI.DLL is only located in windows\syste32 dir and its version is 4.0.1371.1
    Error messages pop up many times… winamp,when installing programs,… How to fix something like that? Is there missing some link in registry that some programs cant get path to the file ?

  5. Bob W.
    November 28th, 2007 11:06
    5

    Anyone find the solution for this problem?
    Let me know!

    Bob W

  6. Bob W.
    November 28th, 2007 11:08
    6

    forgot this part

  7. Bob W.
    November 29th, 2007 09:42
    7

    any one come up with a solution for this yet? Let me know

  8. Himanshu P.
    December 3rd, 2007 06:21
    8

    I fixed mine. I take no credit for this

    Renamed outdated version of PSAPI.DLL in my system32 to PSAPI.OLD. Downloaded the latest version of PSAPI.DLL set properties to read only, copied over to system32. Check file version but it shows old version. reboot

    download the latest version here
    http://www.dlldump.com/download-dll-files_new.php/dllfiles/P/psapi.dll/5.1.2600.2180/download.html

  9. thehitman777
    December 16th, 2007 06:32
    9

    Wow Himanshu that’s nice. I solved mine after following your advice. Thanks for sharing.

  10. priscilla
    March 28th, 2008 06:21
    10

    PSPI.DLL what is this

  11. Martin
    May 12th, 2008 17:14
    11

    Thanks Himanshu P. …really works!thanks for sharing!

  12. ochibi
    June 12th, 2008 01:29
    12

    thanks to himanshu p. for the real solution to this… and thanks to the guy of the digital life site about posting this valuable info. i did uninstalled a couple of programs and try to look for my windows xp cd and i cant find it … so i decided to look further on the internet and i found this site (lol).

  13. Problems Arising from PSAPI.DLL Dynamic Link Library File «
    June 12th, 2008 01:37
    13

    [...] original post:  here [...]

  14. Prdenko CRO
    June 24th, 2008 02:17
    14

    Thank u Himanshu P.!!!!!!!!!!!
    I fiksen mine fith o’u solution!!!!!!!!!!1
    Tnx, tnx, tnx, tnx wery much

  15. Thien
    August 17th, 2008 12:31
    15

    you saved me himanshu, thanks alot!

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