> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.enercalc.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.enercalc.com/sel-faq/setup-and-licensing/installation-activation-lice/troubleshooting/fixing-the-startup-error-miss.md).

# Fixing the Startup Error (Missing DLL / SSL Crash)

How to fix the ENERCALC startup crash caused by a missing or wrong vcruntime140.dll using a custom shortcut.

If ENERCALC won’t start or gives an error about “`vcruntime140.dll`” or a similar message, follow these steps. This issue happens because Windows sometimes uses the wrong internal system file when launching ENERCALC.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. **Close ENERCALC** if it’s running.
2. **Right-click your ENERCALC desktop icon** and choose **Properties**.
3. In the **Target** box, replace what’s there with this line:
4. `C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe`/c "set PATH=C:\Program Files (x86)\ENERCALC\_20;`C:\Windows\SysWOW64`;`C:\Windows\System32`;%PATH%&& start "" "C:\Program Files (x86)`\ENERCALC_20\ENERCALC.exe`""
5. Click **Apply**, then **OK**.
6. **Launch ENERCALC** using that icon.

That’s it! The software should now start normally without crashing.

Why This Works (Simple Explanation)

Windows was accidentally trying to use a **64-bit** system file instead of the **32-bit** version ENERCALC needs. The new shortcut makes Windows look in the right places first, so ENERCALC gets the correct files.

**P.S. For IT Staff / Technical Explanation**

The SSL stack crash was caused by Windows loading the **x64** `vcruntime140.dll` from *System32* instead of the **x86** version that should reside in *SysWOW64*. Even after copying the correct DLLs into the ENERCALC installation folder, the loader’s path precedence caused the system version to override the local copy. By launching ENERCALC through `cmd.exe` and temporarily redefining the PATH environment variable, the application prioritizes the correct (x86) directories before the system ones, ensuring proper DLL resolution.


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