Fallout Error: The Ordinal 43 Could not be Located or Not Found (Fix)

The ‘The Ordinal 43 Could not be Located’ problem usually appears after updating Windows or after installing a different version of the operating system. One of the most common causes is that the Games for Windows Live program isn’t installed. Even though the program is outdated, it’s still important for the game to run properly. Additionally, the error message suggests that a DLL file is missing so consider retrieving it on your computer.

Error message: Fallout3.exe- Ordinal Not Found
The ordinal 43 could not be located in the dynamic link library C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\xlive.dll

What causes ‘Ordinal 43 Could not be Located’?

How to Fix Ordinal 43 not Located?

1. Install Games for Windows Live

The major cause of this problem is not having installed Games for Windows Live. Since the game is a bit older, many users don’t have this software installed anymore and it has also not been updated in a while. The software is not officially supported by Windows 10 but you only need the program for the problematic .dll file. Download and install it by following the steps below!

1. Click to open this link in order to initiate the download of Games for Windows Live. Note that the download will start as soon as you click the link. Double-click the file you’ve just downloaded after locating it in the Downloads
2. It will proceed to download its necessary files (around 30 MB) before you can actually start with the installation. Be patient for the download and installation to complete.

3. You won’t need to run the tool but the xlive.dll file should now be available on your computer and the “The ordinal 43 could not be located” error should cease to appear after running the game.

2. Download the Missing DLL File

If the method above has failed to produce the required results, you should definitely check out this method. The idea is pretty simple: since the error message hints that a certain .dll file is missing on your computer, you can simply download it from the Internet and insert it into your game installation folder. Follow the steps we have prepared below in order to try out this method!

1. Visit this link in order to open a site where you can download the dll file. Scroll down to check out all available versions. We recommend you choose the 3.5.92.0 version with the Games for Windows – LIVE DLL description.

2. Click the Download button in the same row and wait five seconds for the download to start. Locate the zip file in your Downloads folder, right-click it and extract it right there in your Downloads folder.
3. You should now be able to see an xlive.dll file. Right-click it and choose the Copy option from the context menu which will appear.

4. Anyway, now it’s time to locate your game’s installation folder. If the game has been installed through the Steam client, make sure you open it up and navigate to the Library tab at the top of the Steam window and locate Fallout 3 in the list of games you own on your Steam account.
5. Right-click the Fallout 3 entry in the list and choose the Properties option which will appear in the context menu. Navigate to the Local Files tab in the Properties window and click the Browse Local Files Also, the default location for all Steam games is C >> Program Files (x86) >> Steam >> steamapps >> common.

6. If the game was installed through a DVD, you will have to locate the game’s shortcut on your Desktop, right-click on it and choose Open file location from the context menu which will appear. If you don’t have the game’s shortcut on the Desktop, you must browse for the game’s installation folder manually (C >> Program Files >> Fallout 3) if you didn’t change it.
7. You can also search for it in the Start menu by typing “Fallout 3” with Start menu open, right-click the game’s entry, and choose the Open file location option from the menu.

8. Anyway, once inside the installation folder, make sure you right-click anywhere inside and choose Paste from the context menu which will appear. You can also use the Ctrl + V key combination. Make sure you check to see if Fallout 3 now works properly!

3. Run the Game in Compatibility Mode for Windows XP SP3 with Administrator Permissions

Many users have found out that running the game in compatibility mode for Windows XP SP3 manages to resolve the “The ordinal 43 could not be located” error. This is the case because Fallout 3 is quite old and it doesn’t really work with newer versions of Windows such as Windows 10 that well. Also, running the game with administrator permissions is the next step to make sure it runs properly from now on.

1. Navigate to the location where the Fallout3.exe file is located. This is the same location you have navigated to above when copying the .dll file so you can follow the steps 1-4 in order to navigate to that folder.
2. If you have the Desktop shortcut, simply right-click it and choose Properties from the context menu which will appear. Do the same for the original Fallout3.exe file if you don’t have the shortcut.
3. Navigate to the Compatibility tab in the Properties window and check the box next to the Run this program as an administrator.

4. Under the Compatibility mode section, check the box next to the Run this program in compatibility mode for option and choose Windows XP SP3 from the menu. Exit while accepting the changes.
5. Make sure you confirm any dialog options which may appear for you to confirm with admin privileges and the game should now launch with admin privileges from now on. Open it by double-clicking its icon and try to see if runs successfully.

4. Install Older Graphics Card Drivers

Some newer versions of graphics card drivers don’t work well with Fallout 3. The game is a bit old and it only supports older versions of the driver. The rule of thumb is to install drivers released before 2018. This is considered more of a workaround as it may affect other games you have installed but it might be your only hope!

1. Click the Start menu button at the bottom left part of your screen, type“Device Manager, and select it from the list of results by simply clicking the first one. You can also use the Windows Key + R combination to bring up the Run dialog box. Type “devmgmt.msc” in the dialog box and click OK in order to run Device Manager.

2. Since it’s the display adapter you want to update on your computer, expand the Display adapters section, right-click your graphics card and choose the Uninstall Device

3. Confirm any appearing dialogs or prompts to confirm the uninstallation of the current graphics device driver and wait for the uninstallation to complete.
4. Look up your graphics card driver on NVIDIA’s or AMD’s Input the required info regarding the card and your operating system and click on Search.

5. A list of all available drivers should appear. Make sure you select an older entry, click on its name and the Download button afterwards. Save it to your computer, open it, and follow the instructions on-screen in order to install it. Check to see if Fallout 3 runs properly now!