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PHP Troubleshooting


Unable to load dynamic library ...\php_gd2.dll


Symptom:

The following message is generated when a PHP file (or one containing PHP) is viewed:

Title: Warning
Message: Unknown(): Unable to load dynamic library 'C:\Program Files\php-4.3.4.win-32\php_gd2.dll' - The specified module could not be found.

The actual directory given might vary, notably the version of php may be different.

Cause:

PHP is looking in the wrong directory for the php_gd2.dll extension library.

In this specific case PHP is looking for the extension library in the PHP installation directory. However the extensions are installed in a folder called "extensions".

Remedy:

Edit the php.ini file. Find the definition for "extension_dir". It may be something like:

extension_dir = "C:\Program Files\php-4.3.4-win32"

If it is missing "\extensions" at the end then add it:

extension_dir = "C:\Program Files\php-4.3.4-win32\extensions"
Be aware that the specific PHP installation directory may vary between systems and that the example shown here assumes version 4.3.4.

These notes are believed to be correct for PHP 4.3 running on Windows Server 2003 and may apply to other versions as well.



About the author: is a dedicated software developer and webmaster. For his day job he develops websites and desktop applications as well as providing IT services. He moonlights as a technical author and consultant.