Like many Windows errors, the Hal.dll error could occur due to several reasons. You could receive the error if there’s a problem with the hal.dll file itself. For example, if the file missing or corrupted, the titled error could arise. Another reason is a damaged hard drive. Yet another reason, and also perhaps more common than the other two, is issues with the primary boot code. Regardless of the root cause, the solutions discussed in this post would help you fix the issue.

How to troubleshoot Hal.dll error?

The following solutions applies to Win 11 and 10, including both 32-bit version and 64-bit versions.

Solution #1 – Restart Windows

Although improbable, the hal.dll error could arise because of a temporary glitch. A system restart often fixes temporary issues. Therefore, it’s worth a try.

Note: You’ll have to force a restart because the hal.dll error appears before Windows has started completely, which in turn makes a normal restart impossible.

If the error still persists, move on to the more advanced troubleshooting steps.

Solution #2 – Check your boot sequence

You could get the hal.dll file error if the boot order in the BIOS doesn’t list the hard drive with your usually used copy of Windows on it at the top.

Here’s how you can check the boot sequence (and change it, if necessary):

• Restart your computer (As said earlier, if you’re getting the hall.dll error, you’ll need to force restart)
• Press a specific key repeatedly (such as F2, F10, or Del key) during startup. What key you need to press to enter BIOS depends on your laptop or desktop make, but generally it is one of the Function keys or Del key. As your computer boots, the first screen will have a Function key (or possibly Del key) listed at the bottom with BIOS listed next it. This is the key you need to press to enter into your system’s BIOS
• After pressing the correct key repeatedly at startup, you’ll be able to access the BIOS Setup Utility

Note: BIOS utilities vary, so yours might not look exactly like the one shown above. It could even look completely different. Regardless of how your BIOS utility looks, it will consist of a set of menus that contain different settings for your system’s hardware. Use the instructions given for navigating around the BIOS, check for the boot order and change it, if necessary.

• Navigate to the boot order options, which will look something similar to the screenshot below. All hardware devices connected that contains the necessary files and instructions to start Windows (i.e. all bootable devices) will be listed here. Common bootable devices include, your hard drive, USB ports, optical drive, and floppy drive. Your computer will look at the first listed drive for operating system (OS) information, and if it doesn’t find it there, it will look at the next entry in the list and so on. So, in the example given below, the computer will first look for OS information on the hard drive. If it doesn’t find it there, it will first check the CD-ROM drive, then a removable device that’s attached (such as the flash drive), and finally it’ll check the network.

• Check the boot order to ensure the device that has the OS is listed at the top. If it isn’t, use the instructions on the BIOS setup utility screen to correct the boot order. In the example shown above, the boot order can be changed using the + and – Keys.

Solution #3 – Perform a startup repair

Startup repair is a pre-installed tool in Windows that can help fix system problems if your machine can’t boot. You can access startup repair one of three different ways:

• Boot from a recovery drive you’ve created
• Boot from Windows installation media (You can download it from Microsoft media)
• Reboot into Recovery options (However, this option isn’t of much help if your computer can’t boot because it can only be accessed if it can start normally)

Once Windows boot into Recovery Environment, first click Troubleshoot and then click Startup Repair (it is right at the top). Next, you’ll need to choose the targeting system. Most of the time, you’re going to see only one. Click it and then the Startup Repair will go into the diagnosing mode and try to fix the underlying issue.

Solution #4 – Test your hard drive

If the problem persists, then it would be a good idea to test your hard drive. Windows include a tool, called CHKDSK, that scans the hard disk for errors and repair them.

Here’s what to do:

• Type command prompt in the Search bar, right-click Command Prompt in the search results, and select Run as administrator
• In the Elevated Command Prompt, type CHKDSK /f and press Enter
• Wait for the scan to complete 

Solution #5 – Update the volume boot code to use BOOTMGR

In case the volume boot code has corrupted, you could receive the hall.dll errors. However, as this is an advanced troubleshooting step, we recommend you consult a computer technician, unless of course you know how to use advanced tools in Windows. 

If none of the above solutions worked for you, you may have to perform a clean install of Windows 11 (or Windows 10 if you are using that).

Even though the hall.dll error is not related to device drivers, it is always a smart idea to keep your drivers up-to-date. The easiest way to do this is by using a reliable third-party tool such as Driver Updater.

Automatic driver update tools offer many benefits, the most important ones being:

• You can update device drivers automatically
• The software scans and updates all outdated or missing drivers at one go
• The tool picks the right drivers for your device and operating system, so you won’t have to worry about installing an incorrect driver by mistake
• Automatic driver updates are 100% safe

Driver Updater is one of the best driver update tools out there. Outbyte Driver Updater will give you access to a database of over 1 million drivers. It will regularly scan your PC, suggesting new driver versions to install. Driver Updater contains drivers for a variety of Windows devices. With just one click, you can update drivers in your system.

Step 1
Click here to Install and launch the app

Step 2
Scan all devices

Step 3
Install or update drivers automatically

 

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