# "fmodstudio.dll was not found" crash on visual studio release x64

**URL:** <https://qa.fmod.com/t/fmodstudio-dll-was-not-found-crash-on-visual-studio-release-x64/24083>\
**Category:** FMOD Engine\
**Tags:** cpp\
**Created:** [March 4, 2026, 6:07pm UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/fmodstudio-dll-was-not-found-crash-on-visual-studio-release-x64/24083 "2026-03-04T18:07:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![CiaranTDev](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/qa.fmod.com/ciarantdev/32/9560_2.png) [@CiaranTDev](https://qa.fmod.com/u/CiaranTDev)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 6:07pm UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/fmodstudio-dll-was-not-found-crash-on-visual-studio-release-x64/24083/1 "2026-03-04T18:07:23Z")

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Currently I am getting a crash “fmodstudio.dll was not found” when I try to run my fmod project on release.

It runs perfectly fine on debug, and I am almost certain I have linked my additional dependencies correctly (see images) which is why I am confused about the issue.

I’ve also tried reinstalling FMOD studio and replacing the API files like the error message suggests, but the error still occurs.

Any help greatly appreciated

 ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fmod/original/2X/9/906917f52e23fbe8f164054882fe34275a696a22.png)

 ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fmod/original/2X/c/ccc6a301aea48772e4b32f7a0042635fba228011.png)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![li\_fmod](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/qa.fmod.com/li_fmod/32/6577_2.png) [@li\_fmod](https://qa.fmod.com/u/li_fmod)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 12:49am UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/fmodstudio-dll-was-not-found-crash-on-visual-studio-release-x64/24083/2 "2026-03-05T00:49:20Z")

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Hi,

Thank you for sharing the information!

> [@CiaranTDev](#):
>
> Currently I am getting a crash “fmodstudio.dll was not found” when I try to run my fmod project on release.

Could you please try copying the `dlls` to your project folder where your release executable is to see if that resolves the issue?

Also, what FMOD version are you using?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CiaranTDev](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/qa.fmod.com/ciarantdev/32/9560_2.png) [@CiaranTDev](https://qa.fmod.com/u/CiaranTDev)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 10:51am UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/fmodstudio-dll-was-not-found-crash-on-visual-studio-release-x64/24083/3 "2026-03-05T10:51:20Z")

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Hi there, thanks for your reply!

I am currently using FMOD version 2.03.08

My .dll files are currently in the same folder as my project under Project/FMOD\_API/studio/lib/x64, though the file path I’m using in the project properties is the full path from my computer which might be causing issues?

EDIT: to be specific, I haven’t built the project yet, the crash occurs in visual studio with the release config

I’ve just tried moving the FMOD\_API folder to be under $(ProjectDir) in the project properties but I get the same error

 ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fmod/original/2X/6/61ae8e415088e8da264eacacb2db20553f98d11d.png)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CiaranTDev](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/qa.fmod.com/ciarantdev/32/9560_2.png) [@CiaranTDev](https://qa.fmod.com/u/CiaranTDev)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 11:47am UTC](https://qa.fmod.com/t/fmodstudio-dll-was-not-found-crash-on-visual-studio-release-x64/24083/4 "2026-03-05T11:47:49Z")

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Found the solution, I found I was over complicating the issue and it was just missing the .dll files in the x64 folder next to the application like you said.

Thanks again for your help!