Outlook 2013 fails to start -- missing WindowsCodecs.dll error

Status
Not open for further replies.

MDW

Member
Outlook version
Outlook 2010 32 bit
Email Account
POP3
The following Outlook load error started happening at the end of May 2017 on a Lenovo laptop:
"The required file WindowsCodecs.dll cannot be found in your path. Install Microsoft Outlook again."
Outlook fails to load at all. None of the other Office programs are impacted – they all load and function properly.
I am running:
Win10 Pro 64 bit (downloaded version) with all latest updates set to install automatically;
MS Office Home & Business 2013 32 bit (downloaded version) with all latest updates set to install automatically;
All Security programs auto update and run daily: Windows Defender & Malwarebytes

PS: my installed MS program update list on this laptop only shows 14 installed MS updates of all types (Win10 + Office 2013), while my Win10 desktop running Office 2010 shows over 30 – is that discrepancy unusual?

Attempted Solutions:
1. I tied repairing MS Office doing a full download repair, but there was no change (but I did have to re-initialize my other Office programs :(
2. I tried going back to an auto-saved restore point – but none of those restore points would load.
3. I have backups of my data, unfortunately not my OS & programs (I will now soon)

Any ideas about what to do?
 
I'm guessing it is something else that needs fixed and the error is referencing the wrong program. (Like BCM crashing - the problem was the chart.dll from net framework.)

Does outlook start in safe mode? To open Outlook in Safe mode: Close Outlook then hold Ctrl as you click on the Outlook icon. You'll get a message asking if you want to start in Safe mode. Click Ok.

If yes, what addins are installed? Any thing that might use voice or video? codec are used for sound and video recording and playback.
 
Thanks for your suggestions
I started Outlook in safe mode, only a couple of addins running:
1. MS SharePoint Server Colleague Import Addin (I don't have any colleagues so I disabled this :)
2. A custom Addin that has never given me a problem over the past two years on this laptop until this recent codec error. This Addin doesn't use video or audio. I disabled this Addin too.

Outlook then restarts without the error problem.

This same #2 custom Addin runs perfectly in Outlook 2010 (32 bit) on several other Win10 Pro machines . . . What would trigger a sudden problem?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
J Will BCC messages still deliver if TO address fails Outlook 2013 Using Outlook 3
T Outlook 2013 either fails to mark messages as read or marks them as read, then un-marks them. Using Outlook 1
P now on office 365 but getting error messages about missing Outlook 2013 cache folders Using Outlook 2
P Outlook 2013 search no longer works Using Outlook 2
K Closing external IMAP email... Outlook 2013 Using Outlook 0
P Outlook 2013 Calendar Archiving Using Outlook 0
T Compuserve, Yahoo, Oath2 and Outlook 2013 Using Outlook 4
Paula S. Outlook 2013 won't recognize new password Using Outlook 4
B Outlook 2013 erratically deleting original file that is attached Using Outlook 0
X Using Outlook 2013 and Outlook 365 Using Outlook 1
I Error saving screenshots in a custom form in outlook 2016, outlook 365 - ok in outlook 2013, outlook 2010 Outlook VBA and Custom Forms 5
J Outlook 2013 Change color of text in data fields of contacts in Outlook 2013? Using Outlook 10
Commodore Outlook (2013) issues with icloud.com mail Using Outlook 0
D iCloud Add-in not working in Outlook 2013 and Outlook 2016 After Windows Upgrade & iCloud Upgrade Using Outlook 2
P Outlook 2013 "Item could not be moved - still an issue for Outlook 2013 Using Outlook 0
M Creating an RSS Feed **FROM** Outlook 2013 Calendar. Using Outlook 5
D Outlook 2013 Yahoo IMAP Sync problems Using Outlook 1
iwshim outlook 2013 - I cannot see the "Manage Add-ins" Using Outlook 2
B Outlook 2013/Exchange 2013 - Conf Rooms not fully booking "resolved conflict" meetings Using Outlook 3
G Can't create Folder Groups in Outlook 2013 Using Outlook 0
A Run time error 424. object required in outlook 2013 Outlook VBA and Custom Forms 10
Rupert Dragwater Several questions regarding Outlook 2013 Using Outlook 9
P Outlook 2013 opens with FILE tab selected. Using Outlook 3
I How to display sender's name instead of email address in outlook 2013 message Using Outlook 5
Z Outlook 2013 Gmail IMPA emails not showing dates only showing times Using Outlook 1
B Forward every other email in Outlook 2013 Outlook VBA and Custom Forms 2
P Synching Outlook 2013 Notes with iPhone 8 Using Outlook 1
N Outlook 2013 Folder View Using Outlook 8
David Michaels Contact card shows blank Outlook 2013 Outlook VBA and Custom Forms 0
J Calendar data can be viewed on Outlook.com, but no longer syncs to Outlook 2013 Using Outlook.com accounts in Outlook 3
C Attached files on Outlook 2010 Sp1 & Exc 2013 are missing Exchange Server Administration 1
R Folders shifting around in Outlook 2013 and 2016 Using Outlook 3
P Sync Desktop Outlook 2013 with Outlook.com? Using Outlook.com accounts in Outlook 5
J Outlook 2013 when clicking To in a new email show Company names Using Outlook 0
J Outlook - 2013 - Error msg when copying folders from Online Archives to another user's mailbox Using Outlook 0
D Outlook 2013 changing iCloud reminder time? Using Outlook 0
M OUTLOOK 2013 CONTACT PROPERTIES Using Outlook 0
J Object Variable or With Block Not Set Error in Outlook 2016 and not Outlook 2013 Outlook VBA and Custom Forms 3
P Outlook 2013 puts replies in Outbox Using Outlook 1
P Contacts gone missing in Outlook 2013 POP Using Outlook 4
M Outlook 2013 Using Outlook 1
P MS OUTLOOK 2013 - Adding Sender on the CC line Using Outlook 5
P MS OFFICE 2013 - Outlook locking up when using the sent on behalf of feature in VB Using Outlook 3
I Outlook 2010, 2013 will not open .msg or .eml files Using Outlook.com accounts in Outlook 1
Jeff Davis Help fix my Outlook 2013? Using Outlook 28
J Outlook 2013 hanging for unknown reason Using Outlook 1
O Outlook 2013 Problems sending large mails Using Outlook 4
K Rebuilding Outlook 2013 from Outlook.com after OS rebuild Using Outlook.com accounts in Outlook 2
O Windows 10 x64 Outlook 2013 - URL does not open (anymore) Using Outlook 3
Liz Schneider PST from Outlook 2013 is now IMAP folders in 2016 Using Outlook 10

Similar threads

Back
Top