The xinput1_3.dll missing error in PES 2016 is a DirectX-related issue, not a standalone file problem. Reinstalling DirectX from the official Microsoft installer or the game's _CommonRedist folder resolves the error in over 95% of cases. Users should avoid manual DLL downloads and instead rely on Microsoft’s official distribution method for safety and effectiveness.
Report Prepared By: Technical Support Analysis
Distribution: PES 2016 Users / Gaming Support Teams
This error occurs because Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2016 requires specific libraries from DirectX 9.0c
, which are often missing in modern versions of Windows (10/11). Microsoft Learn Fix 1: The Official Microsoft Installer (Recommended) The safest way to restore the missing xinput1_3.dll
file is to use the official Microsoft DirectX installer, as it replaces corrupted or missing components across your entire system. Driver Easy DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from Microsoft. the setup ( dxwebsetup.exe
any optional software (like the Bing Bar) during installation. your computer after the installation completes. Steam Community
Fix 2: Extracting from the DirectX June 2010 Redistributable
If the web installer doesn't work, use the "Redistributable" package, which contains all legacy files and doesn't require an active internet connection to install. DirectX June 2010 Redistributable the contents to a temporary folder. DXSETUP.exe inside that folder, right-click it, and select Run as Administrator Follow the prompts to install all legacy libraries. Steam Community Fix 3: Manual File Replacement (Advanced)
If you prefer to just add the specific file, you can place it manually.
You must match the "bitness" (32-bit vs. 64-bit) of your system. How To Fix Missing xinput1_3.dll File From Your Computer
The rain in Birmingham didn't just fall; it assaulted the pavement, turning the gray streets into slick mirrors reflecting the neon signs of closed-down shops. Inside the damp, third-floor apartment, Leo sat hunched over his aging laptop, the glowing screen illuminating the frustration etched into his face.
It was Tuesday. Traditionally, Tuesday was PES 2016 night.
For seven years, Leo and his childhood friend, Marcus, had maintained this ritual. It didn't matter that the world had moved on to the PlayStation 5, or that the graphics of the newer games looked like hyper-realistic oil paintings. PES 2016 was their time capsule. It was the year they both agreed the gameplay was perfect—the heavy touch, the satisfying thwack of a driven shot, the way the ball felt distinct from the player. It was their sanctuary.
Tonight, however, the sanctuary was locked.
"Come on, you piece of junk," Leo muttered, his finger hovering over the Enter key.
He double-clicked the executable. The screen flickered, the cursor spun into the blue loading ring, and then—nothing. A stark, white dialog box popped up, stabbing him in the heart with black text: pes 2016 xinput1-3.dll missing fix
The program can't start because XINPUT1_3.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.
Leo slumped back in his creaking office chair. He had reinstalled it. Twice. He had verified the file integrity on Steam. He had even run a virus scan, praying that a virus was the culprit so he could at least blame something tangible.
His phone buzzed on the desk. It was a text from Marcus: Yo, you ready? I’m picking Atletico. Griezmann is in prime form tonight.
Leo sighed and typed back: System crash. DLL error. Give me 10.
He cracked his knuckles. He wasn't a programmer, but he wasn't a novice either. He knew the drill. XINPUT1_3.dll was a DirectX file. It was the bridge between the game and the gamepad. Without it, the computer didn't know how to talk to the controller, or the game didn't know how to ask for input.
He opened his browser and typed the cursed phrase: pes 2016 xinput1-3.dll missing fix.
The internet, as usual, offered a cacophony of solutions. He felt like a mechanic trying to fix a plane mid-flight.
The "Easy" Fix
The first result was a standard tech forum thread from 2017. Solution: Download the DLL file individually and paste it into the game folder.
Leo knew this was the "lazy man's patch." He navigated to a DLL repository site—careful to avoid the buttons that looked like download buttons but were actually ads for malware. He downloaded the small file. He navigated to the PES 2016 installation folder: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Pro Evolution Soccer 2016.
He pasted the file. "Please," he whispered. He launched the game. The screen went black, stuttered, and then crashed to the desktop instantly. No error message this time. Just silence.
"That's what I get for cutting corners," he grumbled, deleting the file.
The "Root Cause" Fix
He sat back and rubbed his eyes. The game was old, but his system was newer. He had recently updated Windows 10 to the latest build. Microsoft, in their infinite wisdom, often deprecated old libraries. XINPUT1_3 was part of the DirectX 9.0c legacy collection. Modern Windows ran on DirectX 12, but old games still looked for that specific hook in the specific place.
He realized the issue wasn't just the file; it was the environment. The game was shouting into a void, asking for a translator that Windows had retired. The xinput1_3
He navigated to the official Microsoft Download Center. He searched for the "DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer." This was the nuclear option. It didn't just patch one file; it forced the computer to reinstall the entire legacy library of DirectX 9, ensuring all the XINPUT files (1_1 through 1_3) were correctly placed in the System32 folders and registered with the OS.
He clicked Download. The progress bar inched across the screen. The rain lashed harder against the windowpane, the wind howling like a grieving supporter after a relegation.
Rrrrrrrt. The fan in his laptop whirred loudly. The installer launched, asking for permission to make changes. He granted them. "Installing..." The bar crawled. 20%. 40%.
His phone buzzed again. Bro, I'm falling asleep here. FIFA 23 is looking tempting. Never, Leo typed back furiously. I’m fixing the foundation. Give me five.
The installer hit 90%. It paused. Leo held his breath. Sometimes these installers hung. Sometimes they failed. Then, the chime. "Installation Complete."
The Moment of Truth
Leo didn't want to risk a cache error. He restarted his laptop. The boot-up sequence felt agonizingly slow. The Windows logo swirled. The lock screen appeared. He typed his password.
He saw the desktop. He saw the PES 2016 icon—the image of Mario Götze mid-stride.
He plugged in his trusty, battered Xbox 360 controller. The drivers installed automatically. The guide button flashed green, then stayed solid.
He right-clicked the game icon. Run as Administrator.
The screen went black. For a second, he feared another crash. But then, the audio kicked in. That distinctive, high-energy beat of the Konami intro. The logo swirled onto the screen.
The xinput1-3.dll missing error in PES 2016 is a symptom of a broken DirectX installation, not a broken game. In 99% of cases, running the official Microsoft DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer (Method 1) or the installer hidden inside the game's _CommonRedist folder (Method 2) will solve the problem instantly.
Once the DLL is restored, you can return to the pitch, execute those perfect through balls, and enjoy the last great era of Master League without technical interruptions.
Did this fix your problem? Let us know in the comments below. And remember: never download DLLs from random websites—always go straight to Microsoft.
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PES 2016 xinput1_3.dll Missing Fix: Complete Troubleshooting Guide
Encountering a "The program can't start because xinput1_3.dll is missing" error while trying to launch Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2016 is a common issue for players on Windows 10 and 11. This specific file is a component of Microsoft DirectX, which handles controller input and advanced graphics. Because modern Windows versions often prioritize newer DirectX versions (like DX12), legacy files required by older games like PES 2016 may be absent or corrupted.
Follow these verified steps to resolve the error and get back on the pitch. 1. The Recommended Fix: Install DirectX End-User Runtimes
The most reliable way to fix this error is to install the official legacy DirectX package. This restores all missing components, including xinput1_3.dll, without affecting your current DirectX 12 installation.
Download the Official Installer: Visit the Microsoft Download Center to get the DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010). Extract and Install:
Run the downloaded file and choose a folder to extract the contents. Open that folder and find DXSETUP.exe. Right-click DXSETUP.exe and select Run as Administrator.
Follow the prompts, click Finish, and restart your computer. 2. Check the PES 2016 Installation Folder
Many games include their own version of the required redistributables within the game files. DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010) - Microsoft
The "xinput1_3.dll missing" error in Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2016
typically occurs because the game cannot find a specific component of the Microsoft DirectX 9.0c runtime . This is a common issue with older games running on newer versions of Windows . Primary Fix: Install DirectX End-User Runtimes
The most reliable and safest way to fix this is to install the missing DirectX components directly from Microsoft .
Download the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from the official Microsoft website . Run the downloaded dxwebsetup.exe.
Follow the prompts to install. Important: Uncheck the "Install the Bing Bar" option if prompted to avoid unnecessary software . Restart your computer and launch PES 2016 .
Fixing xinput1_3.dll is missing error in PES 2016 by Fix4Dll
Arjun opened his browser, typing furiously. The internet was a minefield. Every forum he visited offered a different, terrifying solution. Related Articles:
He needed the clean, official fix. He remembered that DirectX isn't just one big blob; it has different versions, and older games like PES 2016 often relied on specific, older libraries that Windows 10 or 11 might not have by default.
If you have tried all five methods and PES 2016 still cannot find xinput1-3.dll, the problem may lie outside DirectX.