The WebView2Loader.dll not found error in Microsoft Edge typically indicates a corrupted or missing runtime component rather than a browser configuration issue. Reinstalling the application often fails to resolve this because the underlying WebView2 runtime remains damaged or improperly registered within the system environment. The most effective solution involves manually repairing the runtime installation through command-line tools or by ensuring the correct version is present in the system directories.
Understanding the WebView2 Runtime Dependency
Microsoft Edge relies heavily on the Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime to render web content within native applications and certain internal browser components. This runtime includes the
WebView2Loader.dll file, which acts as a bridge between the host application and the Chromium-based rendering engine. When this dynamic link library is missing, corrupted, or blocked by security software, applications that depend on it will fail to launch with an error message citing the specific DLL name.
This issue is distinct from general browser crashes or session errors. For users experiencing broader synchronization or profile issues, such as those described in
Fixing SessionNotCreatedException in Microsoft Edge, the root cause is usually related to user data corruption rather than system-level DLL failures. However, when the error specifically mentions
WebView2Loader.dll, the problem is isolated to the shared runtime environment installed across the operating system.
Repairing the WebView2 Runtime via System Settings
Before attempting complex command-line interventions, the first step is to verify the integrity of the installed runtime through the Windows Apps settings. This method allows Windows to repair the installation without requiring a full uninstallation, which can sometimes lead to further permission conflicts.
Navigate to the Windows Settings app and select
Apps from the left-hand menu. Click on
Installed apps or
Apps & features depending on your version of Windows. Use the search bar to locate "Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime". You may find multiple entries if both the per-user and machine-wide versions are installed.
Click the three-dot menu next to the entry and select
Modify. If the option to repair is available, choose
Repair and allow the process to complete. Restart your computer and test the application that was previously failing. If the repair option is not available or does not resolve the issue, proceed to the uninstallation and reinstallation steps below.
Reinstalling WebView2 Runtime Manually
If the built-in repair tool fails, you must remove the corrupted instance and install a fresh copy. It is crucial to download the installer directly from Microsoft to ensure the file signatures are valid and not tampered with.
First, open the Control Panel or the Settings > Apps menu and uninstall all instances of "Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime". You should also check for any entries labeled "Evergreen" or "Bootstrapper" and remove them as well. After removal, restart the system to clear any locked file handles that might prevent clean deletion.
Download the latest offline installer for the WebView2 Runtime from the official Microsoft website. Run the installer with administrative privileges by right-clicking the file and selecting
Run as administrator. This ensures the DLL is placed in the correct Program Files directory and registered properly in the system path. Once the installation completes, verify that the
WebView2Loader.dll file exists in the expected directory, typically located at
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeWebView\Application.
Using Command Line to Fix Corrupted System Files
In some cases, the DLL file itself is intact but the system registry or file permissions are corrupted. The System File Checker (SFC) utility can scan for and repair these underlying system issues automatically.
Open the Start menu, type
cmd, right-click on Command Prompt, and select
Run as administrator. Type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow
Wait for the process to complete. This may take several minutes. If the tool reports that it found corrupt files and successfully repaired them, restart your computer and check if the error persists. If SFC cannot fix the issue, you may need to use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to restore the system image health before running SFC again.
For advanced users, checking the event viewer logs can provide specific details about why the DLL failed to load. Look under
Windows Logs >
Application for errors originating from the failing application. These logs often specify whether the failure was due to a missing dependency, a permission denied error, or a version mismatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does reinstalling Edge not fix the WebView2Loader.dll error?
Reinstalling Microsoft Edge only updates the browser binaries, not the shared WebView2 runtime used by other applications. The
WebView2Loader.dll is a separate component that must be installed independently or bundled with other software. Therefore, edge-specific reinstalls do not touch the corrupted runtime files causing the error.
Is it safe to delete the WebView2Loader.dll file manually?
No, you should never manually delete system DLL files. Doing so can break applications that depend on the WebView2 runtime and may cause system instability. Instead, use the official uninstaller or repair tools provided by Microsoft to handle the removal safely.
Can antivirus software block WebView2Loader.dll from loading?
Yes, overly aggressive security software may flag the DLL as a false positive and quarantine or block it. Check your antivirus quarantine folder to see if the file was removed. If so, add the WebView2 installation directory to your antivirus exclusion list to prevent future blocking.
What is the difference between Evergreen and Non-Evergreen WebView2 runtimes?
The Evergreen runtime updates automatically alongside Microsoft Edge, while the Non-Evergreen version remains static unless manually updated. Conflicts between these two versions can sometimes cause DLL loading issues. Ensure you have the latest version of the runtime appropriate for your deployment needs.
How do I check if WebView2 is installed correctly on my system?
You can verify the installation by checking the installed programs list in Windows Settings or by using the PowerShell command
Get-AppxPackage *WebView2*. This will list all installed WebView2 packages and their versions, helping you identify if any entries are corrupted or incomplete.