MPR.dll error

Question

Hi all

So a few days ago I started getting an error message:

program.exe - Bad Image

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\MPR.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error. Error status is 0cx000012f.

It advises reinstalling the program, or contacting the vendor, but I have no idea what program produces this file in the first place.

So far affected programs include Paint, where it refuses to open a new file; Photo viewer refuses to open images. There may be more.

After searching online, it seems MPR.dll is used by Windows 10 in some capacity. I have installed the recent updates to see if it fixes it, but it doesn't.

So far I have attempted:

Downloading Media Creation Tool or whatever it's called, but it decided not to download it.

Running sfc/ scannow but it gets to 34% and refuses to work.

I have tried running this scan in Safe Mode but that didn't work either.

DCIM...Restorehealth got to about 6% and failed.

DCIM...Scanhealth - I think it's called that - did the same.

Command "Chkdsk" took about four hours to complete, and it did complete, but this did not repair the issues.

I tried doing a system restore but that failed too.

I've probably tried other stuff but I don't even know what now.

At this point I'm just spinning my wheels. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Answer 1

Hi there,

I realise it's been several months, I apologise for leaving you hanging like that. I've had a lot of stuff to do regarding furniture, DIY and such like, that sourcing a flash drive and a laptop to create the MCT took a back seat, as it were.

I finally got around to sorting it a couple of weeks ago, and I found that I should have been quicker, because the available MCT was for Windows 10 v. 2004, I spent a couple of hours downloading the MCT to the flash drive, only to find my PC was stuck at v. 1909 and it wouldn't update. Something about not having the correct settings.

I decided against trying to use a v. 2004 MCT to repair a v. 1909 PC, and chose instead to wait for the update and go from there.

Upon checking Windows Update earlier today, I discovered v. 2004 was ready for download. I went ahead with it. It altogether took around four hours to make ready, download, install, and then restart to apply the update.

After a successful restart, I still didn't know if the issue would be resolved or if the v. 2004 update had left it untouched. I decided to attempt to uninstall the offending game and it worked. I tried to run a couple of other programs that had been affected and they worked. I ran the System File Checker tool, which previously had failed, and it now successfully went through the check and alsosaid there were no problems.

As far as I can tell, at the time of this writing, the PC is working as normal. I'm now sitting here with a flash drive containing MCT v. 2004 unused.

I'd like to apologise again for seemingly abandoning the thread, and I'd like to thank you for your advice and your patience.

I hope this finds you well.

Best regards,

Adam

Answer 2

You are welcome. Good that it appears not to be a virus. I'm looking around for more ideas now. If nothing at all good is found, maybe I'll pass you my own MPR.dll to try through OneDrive...

That's the 1909 version, & it belongs in C:\Windows\System32. But I still don't like the sound of "program.exe". That appears to be what wants to use MPR.dll -- but Program.exe is not part of a normal Windows installation.

Edit: Most of the advice for this is DISM & SFC & a repair-install. But no one appears to have been cured by it. It may be a clean install is necessary. Want instructions?

Where is Program.exe located? What is in the Details tab of its Properties? In "Folder Options, View tab" (type into Search bar), ensure "Show hidden files..." is selected, & even uncheck "Hide protected...". Then look for it in File Explorer.

Answer 3

(1) Yeah, do the anti-virus scans.

(2) "one of my games...my system completely crashed"

That game becomes a prime suspect as it is the last thing done before big problems began. Does it show up at "START, Settings, Apps"? Then definitely click it for an uninstall button.

(3) Then try DISM & SFC again in that order. We want those not to crash. Also, it would be nice for them to report no file aberrations.

(4) If those fail again, the next step is the over-install of Windows suggested by EvelynMcCollum.

Answer 4

So I recommend you back up your files and do a completely new installation of Windows, you are going to have to borrow a PC to create the USB to repair Windows.

Answer 5

Hi, Adam_1986

My name is Evelyn and I am an Independent Advisor. I would be happy to help you today.

I recommend you to completely repair Windows before you have to make a copy of your personal files

Microsoft Official Website to download and create Windows 10:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

See here the correct way to recover your files when repairing Windows:

https://www.backup-utility.com/windows-10/reins...

https://www.intowindows.com/repair-windows-10-i...

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.