System.DllNotFoundException: Unable to Load DLL 'System.Security.Cryptography.Native': The Specified Module Could Not Be Found - Shell-Bash

If you are a developer working on a project that uses .NET Core or .NET Standard, you might come across this error message:

System.DllNotFoundException: Unable to load DLL 'System.Security.Cryptography.Native': The specified module could not be found.

This error occurs when a managed application is trying to load a native DLL, but the DLL is not found or cannot be loaded. In this case, the missing DLL is System.Security.Cryptography.Native.

Causes

The most common cause of this error is a missing or corrupted system file. When a DLL is missing or corrupted, it cannot be loaded by the application.

Another possible cause could be that the application is trying to use a version of the DLL that is not compatible with the operating system.

Solutions

1. Reinstall .NET Core or .NET Standard. This should replace any missing or corrupted system files that were causing the issue.

2. Make sure the DLL is in the correct directory. If the DLL is missing or not in the correct directory, the application will not be able to load it. Ensure that the DLL is in the correct directory and try running the application again.

3. Check the version of the DLL. If the application is using a version of the DLL that is not compatible with the operating system, try using a different version of the DLL.

4. Check dependencies. The missing DLL may be a dependency of another DLL. If this is the case, make sure that all dependencies are installed and properly configured.

5. Check system environment variables. Ensure that the system environment variables are properly set and that the DLL is included in the PATH variable.

Conclusion

The System.DllNotFoundException error can be caused by a variety of issues, but is typically related to a missing or corrupted system file. By following the solutions outlined above, you should be able to resolve the issue and get your application working again.