ERROR

A Runtime Error has occurred. Do you wish to Debug?

Last Published: April 25, 2020

Error Message

When trying to open an ArcToolbox tool or open the Environments on the Tools > Options > Geoprocessing tab, the following or similar error message(s) is displayed:

"A Runtime Error has occurred.
Do you wish to Debug?

Line: 217
Error: Syntax error"

Cause

One possibility is that one or more MS XML .dll files are not properly registered.

Solution or Workaround

Manually re-register the msxml.dll, msxml2.dll and msxml3.dll.

  1. Navigate to Start > Run, type cmd and click OK.
  2. Type the following and press enter:

    Code:
    cd c:\windows\system32

  3. Type the following and press enter:

    Code:
    regsvr32 msxml.dll

  4. Type the following and press enter:

    Code:
    regsvr32 msxml2.dll

  5. Type the following and press enter:

    Code:
    regsvr32 msxml3.dll

Article ID:000010340

Software:
  • ArcMap

Receive notifications and find solutions for new or common issues

Get summarized answers and video solutions from our new AI chatbot.

Download the Esri Support App

Discover more on this topic

Get help from ArcGIS experts

Contact technical support

Download the Esri Support App

Go to download options