Even if you are running modern operating systems like Windows 10 or Windows 11—which come pre-installed with DirectX 11 or 12—they do not always include the legacy runtime files that older titles like PES 2016 rely on. When the game searches for this legacy file and fails to locate it in your system folders, it crashes before launching.
An outdated or corrupted graphics driver can cause DirectX to malfunction. Similarly, outdated Xbox controller drivers can cause xinput issues.
Because PES 2016 was designed for Windows 7/8, Windows 10/11 may not correctly initialize all legacy DLLs. Compatibility mode forces the operating system to emulate an older environment. pes 2016 xinput1-3.dll missing fix
He navigated to the official Microsoft Download Center. He searched for the This was the nuclear option. It didn't just patch one file; it forced the computer to reinstall the entire legacy library of DirectX 9, ensuring all the XINPUT files (1_1 through 1_3) were correctly placed in the System32 folders and registered with the OS.
If your system already has the file but PES 2016 is failing to look in the right global directory, you can place a copy of the DLL directly into the game's installation directory. Even if you are running modern operating systems
Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. The system will scan and repair errors in the file, including missing DLL files. Microsoft Community Hub missing xinput1_3.dll on windows 10 - Microsoft Q&A
The error in Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2016 occurs because the game cannot find a specific component of Microsoft DirectX 9.0c needed to communicate with your controller. Recommended Fix: Install DirectX End-User Runtime Similarly, outdated Xbox controller drivers can cause xinput
Note: You must match the bit-architecture of your game executable (PES 2016 is a 32-bit application).