steam_api.dll is considered a type of Dynamic Link Library (DLL) file. Dynamic Link Library files, like steam_api.dll, are essentially a "guide book" that stores information and instructions for executable (EXE) files - like FileCoAuth.exe - to follow. These files were created so that multiple programs (eg. Plants vs. Zombies) could share the same steam_api.dll file, saving valuable memory allocation, therefore making your computer run more efficiently.
Unfortunately, what makes DLL files so convenient and efficient, also makes them extremely vulnerable to problems. If something happens to a shared DLL file, either it goes missing or gets corrupted in some way, it can generate a "runtime" error message. Runtime is pretty self-explanatory; it means that these errors are triggered when steam_api.dll is attempted to be loaded either when Plants vs. Zombies is starting up, or in some cases already running. Some of the most common steam_api.dll errors include:
- Access Violation at address - steam_api.dll.
- steam_api.dll could not be found.
- Cannot find C:\Program Files (x86)\PopCap Games\Plants vs. Zombies(TM)\steam_api.dll.
- Cannot register steam_api.dll.
- Cannot start Plants vs. Zombies. A required component is missing: steam_api.dll. Please install Plants vs. Zombies again.
- Failed to load steam_api.dll.
- The application has failed to start because steam_api.dll was not found.
- The file steam_api.dll is missing or corrupt.
- This application failed to start because steam_api.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.
Your steam_api.dll file could be missing due to accidental deletion, uninstalled as a shared file of another program (shared with Plants vs. Zombies), or deleted by a malware infection. Furthermore, steam_api.dll file corruption could be caused from a power outage when loading Plants vs. Zombies, system crash while loading steam_api.dll, bad sectors on your storage media (usually your primary hard drive), or quite commonly, a malware infection. Thus, it's critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.
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