7 Methods to Fix the ‘Unarc.dll Error Code 11’ on Windows

While unpacking or extracting game or app files during installation, you may face the ‘unarc.dll error’ error on Windows 10/11. This puts an immediate end to the installation setup. But you might not know what exactly caused it. However, don’t worry, though. The following article focuses on understanding typical factors triggering the ‘unarc.dll error code 11’ and presents 7 methods to resolve it!

Part 1: Overview of the Unarc.dll Error

Unarc.dll is a file that helps Windows unpack and extract compressed files, especially during software or game installations. Thus, the ‘unarc.dll error code 11’ often manifests when you’re installing software, especially games. It usually means there’s a problem with unpacking or extracting the files needed for the installation. The ‘unarc.dll error’ can happen due to numerous reasons, such as the following:

• Missing or Corrupted Unarc.dll: When Unarc.dll is either nonexistent or damaged, then the system will not locate or interpret the required file.
• Low Disk Space: The C drive lacks sufficient free space to execute the installation process.
• Invalid Install Path: Special characters and non-English letters found within installation path folders cause system installation problems.
• Processor Limits: The software fails when operating under 16 CPU core or higher settings.
• Damaged Installer: File extraction problems occur when the installer is damaged.

When the ‘unarc.dll returned an error code 11’ happens, it may manifest with the following symptoms:

• There was a problem unpacking the files: Can’t save data to the hard drive. Unarc.dll error code: -11. File couldn’t be written.
• There was a problem unpacking the files: Can’t save data to the hard drive. Unarc.dll error code: -11. The archive file is damaged and can’t be unpacked.

Part 2: How to Fix unarc.dll Error Code 11?

The following are 7 ways to fix the ‘unarc.dll error-11’ on Windows. Try out a method based on your circumstances:

Fix 1: Run the Program in Compatibility Mode

Execute the program with the ‘unarc.dll error code 11’ in Compatibility Mode, and it might be able to run. This is because many games and apps using unarc.dll were made for older Windows versions. But running them in the Compatibility mode helps them run on newer systems by mimicking how they operated on older versions of Windows. Follow the instructions below to execute the troubling program’s shortcut or .exe file in Compatibility Mode:

Step 1: Right-click the program’s shortcut or .exe file. Then, choose “Properties.”

Step 2: Head to the “Compatibility” tab. Tick mark “Run this program in compatibility mode for.”

Step 3: Pick the Windows version the program works best with. Then, tap “Apply.” Hit “OK” to save changes.

Fix 2: Repair Corrupted Dll Files

In case the ‘unarc.dll returned an error code 11’ is missing or corrupted, you can replace or fix it using a dll repair tool. 4DDiG DLL Fixer is a professional tool for finding and repairing 7000+ dll file errors on Windows in just one click. The app allows users to quickly resolve issues with DLL files that have become broken or damaged or are missing from their system. But that’s not all this tool can do. It offers:

• The extensive DLL database within the DLL Fixer allows it to replace defective DLL files.
• A speedy yet complete check to detect any DLL errors that trigger applications crashing.
• Offers a professional method to recover lost runtime libraries and all DirectX files.
• The software will repair startup problems within Windows applications and game programs.
• The tool achieves outstanding success rates that reach 99% in its repairs.

Follow the instructions beneath to resolve the ‘unarc.dll archive data corrupted’ error with this tool:

Step 1: Open and execute the DLL fixer tool on your computer. Then, choose “DLL Repair.” Tap “Full Scan” to examine for issues.

Step 2: After the scan, hit “Repair” to fix the missing or broken DLL files. Wait for the process to finish. The tool will replace the damaged ‘unarc.dll’ file with a clean, updated one.

Fix 3: Run SFC and DISM

Bad sectors or file system issues could be the cause of the ‘unarc.dll returned an error code 11.’ To fix them, you can execute the SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scans. Both are Windows-embedded utilities. SFC checks and fixes corrupted or missing system files by replacing them with correct versions.

It’s useful for problems like crashes or missing DLLs. Whereas DISM is more advanced as it repairs the entire Windows system image and is used when SFC can’t fix the issue or when there are deeper system problems. Here’s how to execute SFC and DISM scans  to resolve the ‘unarc.dll error-11:’

Step 1: Type “cmd” in the Windows search field. Then, execute “Command Prompt” with admin privileges.

Step 2: Input the following commands one after the other. Hit “Enter” after each one:

• sfc /scannow
• dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
• dism /online /cleanup-image /checkhealth
• dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Fix 4: Tweak Power and Core Settings

The ‘unarc.dll error’ can happen during repack installs because decompressing large 50–100GB files can overheat the CPU, causing Windows to throttle and show errors. However, you can tweak power and core settings so the CPU temps stay low. To do so:

Step 1: Type “con” in the Windows search field. Execute “Control Panel.” Then, tap “Hardware and Sound.” Click “Power Options.”

Step 2: Set “Windows Power Plan” to “Balanced.” Then, head to “Edit Power Plan.”

Step 3: Tap “Advanced Settings.” Next, select “Processor Power Management.” Adjust “Maximum Processor State” to “99%.”

Step 4: Afterward, type “Msconfig”  in the Windows search field. Execute “System Configuration.”

Step 5: Then, choose “Boot.” Pick “Advanced Options.” Then, adjust CPU cores to 6–8 based on your Intel processor.

Fix 5: Perform a Clean Boot

Third-party programs might conflict with the app or game installation, leading to the ‘unarc.dll error code 11.’ So, you can load your Windows into Safe Mode to avoid conflicts as well as install the game from there. To do so:

Step 1: Type “Msconfig”  in the Windows search field. Execute “System Configuration.”

Step 2: Then, choose “Boot.” Tick mark “Safe boot.” Tap “Apply. Next, hit “OK.”

Fix 6:  Increase Virtual Memory Size

Virtual memory is extra space on your hard drive that functions like RAM when your system runs low. The unarc.dll error-11 can happen during large game or app installs when there isn’t enough RAM. However, you can increase virtual memory, which will give Windows more room to operate, helping prevent errors caused by running out of memory. Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Search “Advanced system settings” in the Windows search field. Then, hit “Enter.”

Step 2: In the “Performance” section, click “Settings.” Head to the “Advanced” tab. Next, tap “Change” beneath “Virtual Memory.”

Step 3: Untick “Automatically manage paging file size.” Make sure “drive C:” is selected.

Step 4: Choose “Custom size.” Enter the “Recommended” value as the “Initial size.”

Step 5: Adjust the “Maximum size” to twice the initial value. Next, tap “Set.” Hit “OK.”

Fix 7: Disable Your Antivirus Software

The installation of games or applications can lead to an ‘unarc.dll error’ when your antivirus identifies these files as threats. Thus, you can disable antivirus protection like Windows Defender for a secure installation of the app or game before re-enabling protection afterward. To do so:

Step 1: Input “Windows Defender” in the Windows search field. Then, execute “Windows Defender Firewall.”

Step 2: The left side of the screen contains a button that says “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.”

Step 3: Afterward, check “Turn off Windows Defender Firewall” to disable firewall protection separately for both private and public network settings.

Step 4: Hit “OK.” Restart your PC and try installing the game or app again.

Conclusion

The primary causes of the ‘unarc.dll error’ include an absent DLL file, insufficient disk storage, installation directory problems, and CPU-related troubles. However, we’ve presented 7 solutions above to this problem, including running the app or game installation file in Compatibility Mode, executing SFC/DISM scans, and adjusting CPU power.

Executing a clean boot combined with virtual memory increase and the temporary deactivation of your antivirus system also makes up part of the solution. However, among all the solutions, 4DDiG DLL Fixer serves as the best tool to fix problematic unarc.dll files by reconstructing missing or corrupted DLL files instantly. It can also fix startup issues in programs and restore missing DirectX and runtime libraries files.