Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) or hal.dll is a Windows system file, which implements a number of hardware functions. Although drivers for most of the hardware are contained in files with .sys extension, a few core drivers are compiled into hal.dll.
A corrupted or missing hal.dll file can cause many troubles in your operating system, with frequent annoying messages or preventing you to boot into Windows normally. This article contains certain ideas, suggested to handle this issue in an accomplished manner.
A corrupt or missing hal.dll file is easily identifiable, as Windows displays the error messages stated below.
- Cannot find hal.dll
- Hal.dll is missing or corrupt
Causes
It is obvious that the error is caused due to misbehaving DLL file. It can either be attacked by a virus or conflicted with a badly written program / application.
- The above noted error can also result from a damaged Hard Drive
- In most of the cases, a missing hal.dll is due to issues with Master Boot Code.
Solutions
The only way to get your PC going in such a situation is by recovering or repairing the hal.dll file. The different ways to do so are described underneath.
- It is quite possible the issue, which seems a load of trouble, is nothing but just a fluke. To escape a major workaround, Restart your computer by turning it off and back on with a moment delay. If so, the system will not bother you anymore. But if the problem persists, try implementing following measures.
- Enter your BIOS settings and check out the boot sequence. It is quite possible that you have changed the boot order while connecting an external storage drive, and overlooked to revert to the prior settings. In this situation, change boot order to your current drive with system files on it.
- Boot with System Recovery Options in Windows 7, or Advanced Startup Options in Windows 8. These options embed some of the Windows useful tools with automated fix-it capabilities. Choose to fix with Startup Repair in Windows 7 and Repair your PC in Windows 8.
- Update the Volume Boot Code to BOOTMGR by booting with Command Prompt in any version of Windows. In the black screen of Command Prompt, type the command bootsect /nt60 sys and hitEnter to update it for you. Now Restart the computer and it should boot normally.
- Check your hard drive for any errors, as it may not let your PC to act in a usual way. In this regard, reboot with Command Prompt and execute the command CHKDSK C: /R. It will examine your system drive, detect errors in it, and try to fix it. Please not that C: refers to the drive containing system data.
If CHKDSK utility has actually discovered errors or bad sectors on your hard drive, but is not able to recover it, you would need to replace your hard drive and carry a new and clean install of Windows.
