Failed To Open Dlllist.txt For Reading Error Code 2

Error Report: Failed to Open dlllist.txt for Reading (Error Code 2)

Introduction

This report documents an error encountered while attempting to open a file named dlllist.txt for reading. The error code associated with this failure is 2.

Error Details

Error Message: Failed to open dlllist.txt for reading
Error Code: 2
Error Description: The system cannot find the file specified.

Possible Causes

The following are potential causes for this error:

The file dlllist.txt does not exist in the specified location.
The file dlllist.txt is currently in use by another process or application.
The file dlllist.txt has been moved or deleted.
The file path or name is incorrect.

Troubleshooting Steps

To resolve this error, try the following steps:

Verify File Existence: Check if the file dlllist.txt exists in the specified location.
Check File Path: Ensure the file path and name are correct.
Close File in Other Processes: If the file is in use by another process, close that process or application.
Recreate File: If the file does not exist, recreate it or restore it from a backup.

Recommendations

Regular File Backups: Regularly back up important files to prevent data loss in case of file corruption or deletion.
File System Checks: Periodically check the file system for errors or inconsistencies.

Conclusion

The "Failed to open dlllist.txt for reading" error with error code 2 indicates that the system cannot find the specified file. By verifying file existence, checking file paths, and closing files in other processes, you should be able to resolve this error. If issues persist, consider recreating the file or seeking further assistance.

The error message "Failed to open dlllist.txt for reading. Error code: 2" typically occurs when a software launcher or installer—most commonly for games like Dying Light, Titanfall 2, or Genshin Impact, as well as apps like Corsair iCUE—cannot find a critical text file needed to load required Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs).

In Windows, Error Code 2 specifically means "The system cannot find the file specified." This indicates that the dlllist.txt file is either missing, corrupted, or being blocked by security software. Common Causes of the Error

Corrupted Visual C++ Redistributables: Many applications rely on these packages to handle DLL operations. If they are broken, the "reading" process fails.

Antivirus Interference: Overprotective security software may quarantine the dlllist.txt file or the DLLs it references, perceiving them as a threat.

Leftover Mod Files: In games like Dying Light, manually added DLLs (e.g., winmm.dll) can conflict with the launcher's ability to read its own file list.

Registry Inconsistencies: Missing or incorrect registry keys related to the Multilingual User Interface (MUI) can sometimes trigger this error during file execution. How to Fix "Failed to Open dlllist.txt" 1. Repair Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables failed to open dlllist.txt for reading error code 2

This is the most successful fix for many users. The installer for the game or app often includes these files, but they may need a manual repair.

Open the Control Panel and go to Programs > Uninstall a program.

Locate the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages (especially versions 2015-2022). Right-click a version and select Change, then click Repair. Restart your computer and try launching the app again. 2. Verify Game Files or Reinstall

If a specific file like dlllist.txt is missing, a built-in repair tool can often redownload it.

Steam Users: Right-click the game in your library > Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files.

Installer Errors: If the error occurs during an installation (like Genshin Impact or iCUE), delete the current installer and download a fresh copy directly from the official website. 3. Remove Conflicting DLL Files (For Games)

If you have previously used mods or third-party patches, they might be blocking the launcher.

Navigate to your game's installation folder (e.g., SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Dying Light). Look for files named winmm.dll or StubDRM64.dll.

Delete these files or move them to your desktop as a backup. Relaunch the game. 4. Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

If the error is persistent across multiple apps, your Windows system files might be damaged. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as an Administrator. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

After it finishes, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. Restart your PC. 5. Advanced Registry Fix

For users experiencing this when opening any .exe file, a registry tweak to the MUI (Multilingual User Interface) cache may be necessary. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.

Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\MUI.

If it doesn't exist, create a new Key named StringCacheSettings.

Inside that key, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named StringCacheGeneration.

Set its value to 38b (Hexadecimal) and restart your computer. Error Report: Failed to Open dlllist

Note: If you are using a third-party launcher like Plutonium or Northstar, ensure the launcher itself is updated to the latest version, as these often have custom fixes for file reading errors.

Error "Failed to open dlllist.txt for reading Error code: 2"

This error typically occurs when a program tries to launch but cannot find a specific configuration file called dlllist.txt . It is most commonly associated with cracked games

, or older launchers (like Origin) trying to run games from newer platforms like Steam. Quick Fixes Repair Visual C++ Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable installer and select the Run as Administrator : Right-click the game or application's file and select Run as administrator Verify Game Files : If using Steam, right-click the game, go to Properties > Installed Files , and select Verify integrity of game files Launch from Original App

: If the game was originally from a different platform, try launching it directly from that launcher (e.g., the ) instead of Steam. System Level Solutions

If the quick fixes don't work, the issue may be with your system's registry or core files. System File Checker Command Prompt PowerShell as an Administrator. sfc /scannow and hit Enter. Once finished, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and hit Enter. Registry Modification Windows + R , and navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\MUI Right-click , and name it StringCacheSettings Inside that key, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value StringCacheGeneration , and set its value to (Hexadecimal). Did this error start happening after you installed a mod

Error "Failed to open dlllist.txt for reading Error code: 2"

Failed to Open dlllist.txt for Reading (Error Code 2) is a common Windows error. It typically occurs when a program or game tries to access a specific text file that is missing, blocked, or has incorrect permissions.

In Windows, Error Code 2 specifically means "The system cannot find the file specified." 🛠️ Common Causes

Missing Files: The dlllist.txt file was deleted or never installed.

Antivirus Interference: Security software flagged the file as a threat.

Permission Issues: The program lacks "Read" rights for the folder.

Corrupt Installation: A recent update or crash damaged the file path. ✅ How to Fix the Error 1. Run as Administrator

Sometimes the software can't "see" the file because it doesn't have high-level access. Right-click the application shortcut. Select Run as administrator. Check if the error persists. 2. Check Your Antivirus Quarantine

Antivirus programs often mistake .txt or .dll configuration files for malware. Open your Antivirus/Windows Defender settings. Look for the Quarantine or Protection History section.

If dlllist.txt is there, select Restore and add it to the Exclusions list. 3. Verify Game/App Files Error Message: Failed to open dlllist

If this happens in a gaming platform like Steam or Epic Games: Go to your Library. Right-click the game and select Properties. Click Installed Files (or Local Files).

Select Verify integrity of game files. This will automatically redownload the missing .txt file. 4. Reinstall the Application

If a manual search shows the file is truly gone, a fresh install is the safest bet. Uninstall the program via Control Panel. Restart your computer to clear the cache.

Download the latest version from the official source and reinstall. 5. Manual File Creation (Advanced)

In some cases, you can bypass the error by creating a dummy file, though this depends on the specific software. Navigate to the folder mentioned in the error path. Right-click > New > Text Document. Name it exactly dlllist.txt.

Note: Only do this if you know the file is meant to be empty or you have the correct data to paste inside. 💡 Pro Tip

Check if you have recently installed a mod or cheat engine. These tools frequently use dlllist.txt to inject code into games, and they are the most common culprits for this specific error code.

This error message means that a program attempted to open a file named dlllist.txt for reading, but the file was not found in the expected location.

Error code 2 in Windows corresponds to:
ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND (“The system cannot find the file specified.”)

4. Why Error Code 2 Happens

The program looks for dlllist.txt in its current working directory (often the folder where the .exe resides). If the file is missing, CreateFile or fopen returns INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE or NULL, and GetLastError() returns 2.

Common reasons:

You never created dlllist.txt.
The file exists but in a different folder.
The file is named dlllist.txt.txt (Windows hides extensions by default).
The program is run from a different directory (e.g., from Command Prompt in C:\Windows\System32).

Why Does Dependency Walker Look for `dlllist.txt`?

Dependency Walker has a built-in scripting feature. Advanced users can create scripts to automate profiling of executables. When you run a certain type of profile (especially a "profiled" or "profile with log file" session) using a script, the tool looks for a file called dlllist.txt.

The script likely contains a line that says: OpenFile("dlllist.txt", READ)

Since the script expects this file to be present in the current working directory (usually the same folder as depends.exe or your target EXE), and it is not there, Windows returns Error Code 2.

In short: The error is a feature, not a bug. The script is trying to do its job, but the input file is missing.

Use `-ErrorAction` and error handling in PowerShell

try 
    & ".\dlllist.exe" "@dlllist.txt" -ErrorAction Stop
 catch 
    if ($_.Exception.Message -match "error code 2") 
        Write-Host "Missing dlllist.txt – creating now"
        New-Item -Path "dlllist.txt" -ItemType File
        & ".\dlllist.exe" "@dlllist.txt"

Fix 4: Disable or Configure Antivirus Temporarily

In extremely rare cases where dlllist.txt was generated by a tool and then deleted by security software:

Temporarily disable your antivirus (just for testing).
Re-run the process that generated the error.
If the error disappears, add an exclusion for the folder containing your development or analysis tools.

✅ Step 5 — Check for antivirus interference

Some antivirus tools block creation/reading of .txt files used by injection tools. Temporarily disable real-time protection (just for testing) and recreate the file.

2. Correct the File Path

Ensure the program or process is looking for dlllist.txt in the correct location. Sometimes, configuration settings or environment variables might need adjustment.

4. Step-by-Step Fixes

Depending on your use case, choose the appropriate solution.