What is the Ntdll.dll file?
The ntdll.dll file is a core Windows file containing NT kernel functions. The file is a Native API file of Microsoft operating systems.
The ntdll.dll file can be found in c:\windows\system32, c:\winnt\system32 or c:\i386 Directory on your Windows computer.
Common Ntdll.dll Error Messages
Generally, ntdll.dll errors are caused due to an unknown hard drive error. The error may cause your system to freeze or crash. Ntdll.dll errors may also lead to various Internet Explorer 7 and Windows Explorer issues, which prevent you from carrying out normal functions on your system.
Listed below are common error messages that may appear on your screen when the ntdll.dll error occurs:
?STOP: C0000221 Unknown Hard Error \SystemRoot\System32\ntdll.dll?
?STOP: C0000221 unknown hard error Path\File_name?
?STOP: 0xC0000221 unknown hard errorC:\Winnt\System32\Ntdll.dll (or another specific file or driver)?
?STOP: 0xC0000221 STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCHPath\File_name?
In this article, we will take a look at common causes behind the above errors and their resolution methods.
- Faulty Windows Installation
In case you receive the ntdll.dll error soon after you have completed Windows installation on your PC, you must first verify whether or not the Windows installation CD is scratched or damaged. Although you may be able to complete the installation using a damaged CD, the installation process may develop some complications later and cause ntdll.dll errors to occur on your system.Similarly, you may encounter ntdll.dll errors if you use an illegal copy or burned copy of Windows for installation. It is recommended that you always install Windows using an original and legitimate Windows Installation CD.
- Defective Hardware
You may also encounter ntdll.dll errors and other Windows installation problems if the cable that connects the hard drive to the motherboard of your computer is defective. To correct the problem, connect your hard drive to another cable of the same type that is used by some other hardware device on your computer. Examples of devices that use the same cable as the hard drive are CD, DVD and Zip drives.If switching the cable does not produce the desired result, then it is recommended that you invest some money in the purchase a new cable for your hard drive to resolve the error permanently.
- Usage of faulty or obsolete driver files
Often, obsolete and faulty driver files cause DLL errors. For this reason, you should always be sure that the drivers of all the hardware devices connected to your system are up-to-date. Furthermore, before downloading and installing new drivers, you should make sure that they are compatible with your operating system and hardware. The best and the easiest way to ensure this is by using an efficient driver manager tool, such as Driver Finder. - Malware Infections
Malicious programs, such as virus, Trojans, worms, spyware and adware often remove or edit important files and in turn, cause a plethora of errors on an unprotected system. To keep your PC safe from malware infections, perform regular virus/malware scans of your complete system, using reliable antivirus and antispyware tools. - Registry Errors
You may experience ntdll.dll errors if entries related to this file in your system registry are corrupt, invalid or missing. To prevent such a situation and to maintain a healthy and error-free registry, you may use a reliable registry cleaning tool, such as RegServe, to perform regular registry maintenance.