Portal 2 error: “Failed to load launcher DLL”

Some users may face Portal 2 error: “Failed to load launcher DLL file” when they try to load Portal 2 game. If you are one such user then you are at the right place to fix the error.

Here are the tips to fix this error:

Delete the Bin folder
reinstall the game
Solve registry problems
Reinstall DirectX and Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
Provide security permissions to the CSC folder

Delete the Bin folder

Corrupt contents of the Portal 2 game Bin folder could cause the Portal 2 error: “Failed to load launcher DLL”. Delete that folder to solve your problem.

Quit the game and the Steam app.
Open any of the following directories you found:
C:Program FilesSteamSteamApps\Portal 2
C:Program FilesSteamSteamAppsPortal 2
Delete the subfolder named Bin.

reinstall the game

The Portal 2 error: “Failed to load launcher DLL file” can be resolved by simply reinstalling the game. Follow these steps to perform the procedure:

Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
Click Processes and end the Portal 2 process. Confirm the action when prompted.
Click Start | Control Panel.
Click Programs | Uninstall a program.
Select Portal 2 from the list of installed programs and click Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen wizard and restart your computer when finished.
Download a fresh setup and run it again to install Portal 2 on your computer.

Solve registry problems

Problems in the Portal 2 registry paths could result in an error: “Failed to load launcher DLL.” Using a Registry Cleaner software, scan the Windows registry and fix any detected issues.

Reinstall DirectX and Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

Portal 2 requires DirectX and the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable to be installed on your computer to run properly. If the installation of these packages is corrupted, you may encounter the Portal 2 error: “Failed to load launcher DLL.”

Visit the Microsoft website and download a fresh setup for both tools. Run the downloaded files and follow the instructions on the screen. Reboot the machine when you are done.

Provide security permissions to the CSC folder

Lack of security permissions for the CSC folder could cause this error. Provide the appropriate security permissions by following the steps below:

Open My Computer.
Double click to open the following directory:
C:Windows
Right click on the subfolder named “CSC” and select Properties.
Click the Security tab and then the Edit button.
Provide the appropriate read, write, and access permissions.
Click OK | IT’S OKAY.