Fix: comctl32.ocx file is missing or invalid

Some users are encountering errors associated with the comdlg32.ocx component when trying to open various applications or games. Most of the time, errors like these are encountered when the user tries to open an old or severely outdated application on Windows 10.

There are multiple variations of errors associated with the comdlg32.ocx component. Here are a few of the most popular occurrences:

• ” Component ‘COMDLG32.OCX’ not correctly registered: file is missing or invalid “
• “Component comdlg32.ocx or one of its dependencies not correctly registered: a file is missing or invalid.”

Most of the time, an error associated with the comdlg32.ocx runtime library occurs because this specific runtime library is either not registered, missing or severely outdated.

Note: Keep in mind that an error pointing towards the comdlg32.ocx can also be a sign that the application in question is designed to run on a different bit version.

What is Comctl32.ocx

Comctl32.ocx is an optional Visual Basic 6.0 runtime file.This file (Comctl32.ocx) and most of the other optional library files that are needed by the applications that run on Visual Basic 6.0 are not included in Windows 10 by default.

The way that this library file is copied and registered on your PC is via an application that is developed with Visual Basic 6.0. Typically, any application that needs the Comctl32.ocx library file will copy and register it during the installation process. Most of the time, issues with the Comctl32.ocx file will occur if the runtime file is improperly copied or registered during the installation process.

If you’re struggling with an issue associated with the Comctl32.ocx file, the methods below will help. Please follow the two potential fixes in order until you encounter a method that manages to resolve the situation. Let’s begin!

Method 1: Register the comctl32.ocx file from an elevated Command Prompt

Most of the time, the issue occurs because the comctl32.ocx file is not registered on your computer. The vast majority of users encountering this issue have managed to fix it by registering the comctl32.ocx file from an elevated Command Prompt.

Here’s a quick guide to registering the comctl32.ocx file:

1. Acess the Windows Start bar (or press the Windows key) and type “cmd” to make use of the search function. Then, right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as Administrator to open up an elevated Command Prompt.
   
2. In the elevated Command Prompt, type the following command (associated with your bit version) and press Enter to register the comctl32.ocx file:
   regsvr32 comctl32.ocx – Windows 32 – bit
   C:\Windows\SysWOW64\regsvr32   C:\Windows\SysWOW64\comdlg32.ocx –Windows 64 – bit
3. If you see the “DllregisterServer comctl32.ocx succeeded“, it means that the operation was successful.
4. Close the elevated Command Prompt and reboot your computer. At the next startup, open the application that was previously displaying the ” Component ‘COMDLG32.OCX’ not correctly registered: file is missing or invalid “. You should be able to open it normally.

If you’re still struggling with the ” Component ‘COMDLG32.OCX’ not correctly registered: file is missing or invalid ” error, move down to Method 2.

Method 2: Copy the COMDLG32.OCX from C: \ Windows \ SysWOW64  

If the first method was a bust, see whether copying the COMDLG32.OCX file from C: \ Windows \ SysWOW64  to C:\ Windows. Some users have reported that this workaround has enabled them to start the application that was previously showing the ” Component ‘COMDLG32.OCX’ not correctly registered: file is missing or invalid ” error.

Here’s a quick guide on copying the COMDLG32.OCX file from C: \ Windows \ SysWOW64 to C:\ Windows:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to  C:\ Windows \ SysWOW64. Once you arrive there either use the search function or browse manually to find the COMDLG32.OCX file. Once you do, copy it to your clipboard.
   Note: If you don’t manage to find the COMDLG32.OCX file, visit this link (here) and hit the Download button to download the Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Common Controls. Then, open the installer and follow the on-screen prompts to install Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Common Controls on your system. Once the installation is complete, restart your computer and redo step 1.
2. With the COMDLG32.OCX file copied on your clipboard, navigate to  C:\ Windows and paste the file there. If asked whether you want to override the old file, hit Yes.
3. Start the troublesome application again. It should open without the ” Component ‘COMDLG32.OCX’ not correctly registered: file is missing or invalid ” error.