If you’re a gamer, you’ve probably come across the Ordinal 43 Not Found error while trying to play Fallout 3.
This error can reappear numerous times, but there are few things you can do to avoid it. In this post, we’ll share through some of the most effective methods and steps to fix it.
How to Fix the Ordinal 43 Not Found Error on Fallout 3
The Fallout 3 Ordinal 43 Error indicates that your PC is unable to locate the xlive.dll file required by Fallout 3 for its gaming processes.
It usually happens when you don’t have the Games for Windows Live program installed on your computer. Below are the solutions you can try to solve this problem.
Fix #1: Download and Install Games for Windows Live
Check to see if your PC has Games for Windows Live software installed. This software is not installed by default on your computer, and you must download it in order to play the game.
Here are some steps to downloading and installing the software [1].
- Download the Games for Windows Live software on your computer.
- Now, double-click the gfwlivesetup.exe setup file, or click Open file.
- Wait until the game's installation is complete.
- It is important to note that you do not need to run the tool. Instead, launch the game and see if the error has been resolved.
Fix #2: Download the Missing DLL File
If your problem persists after installing the gfwlivesetup.exe setup file on your PC, download the missing xlive.dll file. Follow the instructions exactly.
- Open a new browser tab and go to the official site to download DLL.
- Then, on your computer, download the most recent version 5.92.0 file. Wait for the Zip file to download after pressing the Download button.
- Now, navigate to the Downloads folder and unzip the xlive zip file.
- Then, copy the xlive.dll file within the folder and paste it into the game's installation folder as directed below.
If Fallout 3 is Installed Via Steam
- Navigate to LIBRARY in Steam.
- Then, press the HOME button and look for Fallout 3.
- Now, right-click on Fallout 3 and select Properties from the drop-down menu.
- Then, select the LOCAL FILES tab and click the Browse button.
- The game installation folder opens in the default location shown below. Copy and paste the copied file here: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common
If Fallout 3 is Installed Using a DVD
- Press the Windows key and enter Fallout 3.
- Then, in the left pane, right-click on the search results for Fallout 3 and select the Open File Location option.
- Now, copy the xlive.dll file and paste it into the installation folder that appears.
- Relaunch the game to see if the hack worked for you.
Fix #3: Provide Admin Rights to Fallout 3
Permission issues prevent you from properly launching the Fallout 3 game in several cases. It is a good idea to give the game admin rights. If you did not find a solution by running the game in compatibility mode, try doing these steps:
- Locate the Fallout3.exe file on your computer once more and right-click on it.
- Then, from the drop-down menu, select Properties.
- In the Properties window, navigate to the Compatibility tab.
- Then, check the box beside Run this program as an administrator.
- Click Apply and Ok to save the most recent changes.
Fix #4: Run Fallout 3 in Compatibility Mode
Many tech platforms claim that when Fallout 3 is launched in compatibility mode, the Ordinal 43 Could Not Be Located or Not Found error is fixed. The steps below will guide you through the process of running the game in compatibility mode.
- Locate and right-click the Fallout3.exe file on your computer.
- Then, from the drop-down menu, select Properties.
- In the Properties window, navigate to the Compatibility tab.
- Select Windows XP SP3 or Windows 8 from the list and check the box next to Run this game in compatibility mode.
- Furthermore, check the box next to Run this program as an administrator.
- Click Apply and Ok to save the most recent changes.
Fix #5: Install Older Graphics Card Drivers
If you have updated your graphics card and suddenly Fallout 3 does not work properly, it may be because the game does not support the newer versions of the driver.
We recommend that you install drivers that were released before 2018. To install older graphics card drivers, follow the steps outlined below.
- Press the Start button and type Device Manager. Then, select Open.
- Double-click on the Display adapters section to expand it. Right-click your graphics card and choose Uninstall Device.
- If a prompt appears, confirm it to proceed with the graphics card uninstallation.
- Then, on NVIDIA or AMD's websites, look for a suitable graphics card driver.
- Make sure to select the older entry and then click Download. To finish the driver installation, follow the on-screen instructions. Check to see if this solution works for you.
Fix #6: Perform a System Restore
The Ordinal 43 Could Not Be Located or Not Found error will occur if the current Windows operating system is incompatible with the latest version of the game. Here are some steps to follow to perform a system restore on your Windows computer.
However, before proceeding with these steps, consider booting your computer into safe mode. This can happen as a result of faulty errors and drivers. Follow the instructions to boot your computer into safe mode and restore it.
- Press the Windows and R keys together to open the Run dialog box.
- Now, in the window, type msconfig and press the Enter key.
- Now, in the System Configuration, navigate to the Boot tab.
- Then, in the Boot options menu, check the Safe boot box and click Ok.
- Proceed with the prompt, “You may need to restart your computer to apply these changes. Before restarting, save any open files and close all programs,” by clicking either Restart or Exit without restart.
- Launch the command prompt with administrator rights.
- Now, type the command rstrui.exe and press the Enter key.
- Click the Next button in the System Restore window.
- Finally, choose a restore point and then click Finish.
