Why I am getting run time error '53' file not found: solver32.dll in Excel 2016?

Question

I am running Windows 10 and have Office 2016 installed.  When I attempt to run a solver in Excel 2016 I get the following error message: 

microsoft visual basic

run time error '53'

file not found: solver32.dll

I have tried the following fixes to no avail as well: 

making the solver add in unavailable, restarting the computer, and making it available again

Changing/Repairing Office 365

Uninstalling and reinstalling Office 365

Can someone please help me fix this annoying problem?

Answer 1

Good news! We have released a couple of fixes related to this issue with the Solver32.dll file, caused by the initialization of Power Query and Power Pivot. Please update to the latest version of Office and let us know if you continue to encounter any issues.

Freya

Office Newsroom

Answer 2

We are aware of an issue with Solver, caused by the initialization of Power Query and Power Pivot. We are working on a fix for this issue urgently. In the meantime, you might be able to get unblocked with the following workaround:

1)      Make sure Excel is not running

2)      Start Excel

3)      Open the “Blank workbook” template

4)      Launch Solver (click the Solver button in the Data tab in the Ribbon)

5)      'Set Objective:' will be the active cell by default

6)      Set the range in 'By Changing Variable Cells: to the same string as is in 'Set Objective:'

7)      Click the “Solve” button

8)      Close the Solver Results dialog

9)      Open any other worksheet or workbook (do not close empty workbook first)

Hope this helps!

Freya

Office Newsroom

Answer 3

That worked for me but when will it be fixed?

Answer 4

Hi, my excel is saying it is updated and I have downloaded microsoft again. Any other suggestions?

Answer 5

I still have the runtime error 53 even though it says I have the most updated version.