Lightroom classic not opening

Question

code mfc140u.dll coming up on computer when i try to open lightroom classic ?

Answer 1

Hi Damian Nugent,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

I understand how frustrating it is when an app you rely on won’t open, especially with a missing mfc140u.dll message error. To better help you, I’d like to ask which Windows version you’re using? 

While waiting, please check out this suggestion from Adobe: P: Lightroom launch mfc140u.dll missing file on Windows | Community. Note that the suggestions below can change depend on your Windows version.

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1 - Repair the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime

• Close Lightroom completely (open Task Manager > right-click Lightroom > End Task)
• Press Win + R > type appwiz.cpl > press Enter
• Look for Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable
• For both x64 and x86 versions > select it > click Change > Repair
• Restart the PC and try launching Lightroom Classic again.

2 - Reinstall the Visual C++ Runtime

• Press Win + X > choose PowerShell / Terminal (Admin)
• Copy the following command and paste into the window > then press Enter:
• iwr https://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols/mfc140u.dll/2B650C14564000/mfc140u.dll -OutFile C:\Windows\System32\mfc140u.dll
• Or you can do it manually:
  • Uninstall Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable (all versions)
  • Restart PC > Visit Latest Supported Visual C++ Redistributable Downloads
  • Download and reinstall the latest package for both x64 and x86 versions

If Lightroom still won’t open after this, the Windows runtime side is already clean. At that point, the remaining cause is usually an Adobe installation issue, and Adobe Support would need to repair or reinstall Lightroom itself.

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Answer 2

The error mentioning mfc140u.dll indicates a problem with the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 runtime that Lightroom Classic depends on. The DLL is part of the Visual C++ redistributable, not Lightroom itself.

To resolve this type of issue in general:

1. Repair or reinstall the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable
   • On affected Windows machines, repairing or reinstalling the current Visual C++ redistributable often fixes mfc140u.dll errors that prevent applications (such as Adobe products or CAD tools) from launching.
   • Ensure the latest supported 2015–2022 redistributable is installed and avoid having multiple conflicting or older versions that can overwrite the newer DLLs.
2. Standardize the redistributable version
   • If multiple applications are installed that bundle their own older C++ runtimes, they can drop outdated mfc*.dll files and break other software.
   • Keep only the latest supported 2015–2022 redistributable where possible and remove or block installers that reintroduce older versions.
3. Re-check after Windows or application updates
   • Some updates or application installs may reinstall older redistributables. Use deployment tools or scripts to verify that the correct Visual C++ runtime version is present after patching, and correct it if needed.

If Lightroom Classic still fails to open after repairing/reinstalling the Visual C++ 2015–2022 redistributable, contact Adobe Support, as the application may be deploying its own conflicting runtime or have additional product-specific issues.

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References:

• MVC140.DLL Error after Windows OS Updates - Microsoft Q&A
• FIX: An MFC application that uses the COleDocIPFrameWndEx class for document embedding fails
• Redistributable Package FIX: Module state is corrupted in a Visual C++ 2010 MFC application that is running in Windows 8