Sometimes, when running on a computer using an Intel Optane Memory, you may get the error message, Intel Optane™ Memory Pinning Unable to load DLL’ iaStorAfsServiceApi.dll” (Exception from HRESULT: 0x8007007E). Although this error does not stop you from performing any tasks, we always get the error notification each time we open the File Explorer.
What Causes Intel Optane Memory Pinning Error?
The error means that the Intel Optane Pinning Service Extension could not access the DLL (Dynamic Link Library) file named iaStorAfsServiceApi.dll. Sometimes, when the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (Intel RST) driver is updated to a version between 17.5.x and 17.8.x, the OS may search for files from previous versions that it cannot find. When the OS cannot find this file, we get the Intel Optane Memory Pinning error. Now that we know the main reason behind the Intel Optane Memory error. Let us see what may stop the OS from locating the File
How to Fix Intel Optane Memory Pinning Error?
Here are a few fixes we can try to solve the Intel Optane Memory Pinning Error. Before we start, please try the first three fixes one after the other. These may not work for you if done individually.
Repair/modify Intel Optane Pinning Explorer Extensions
The Intel Optane Pinning Explorer Extensions is an application that manages the Intel Optane Memory. If the OS has a hard time locating the iaStorAfsServiceApi.dll file, we can repair this application from Program and features to solve the issue with the Optane Memory. Repairing this application will fix any issues with its files and folders, which in turn will fix the problem you are having with the Intel Optane Memory. Follow these steps to modify the Intel Optane Pinning Explorer Extension from Control Panel. Suppose you cannot find the Intel Optane Pinning Explorer Extension application in Control Panel. Follow these steps. It may take some time to repair. Once it is complete, restart your computer. If repairing the application does not fix the issue, we can also uninstall it to see if it fixes the problem.
Install latest Intel Rapid Storage Technology
The Intel Rapid Storage Technology (Intel RST) Driver configures and enables the system acceleration with Intel’s Optane Memory. If your computer has the Intel Optane Memory, the Intel RST driver must be above 17.9.1.1009 to prevent any future Intel Optane Memory issues. Follow these steps to install the latest Intel RST.
Disable Intel RST.
Uninstall Intel RST driver.
Install Intel RST Driver
We first need to download the latest Intel RST driver from the internet to install this driver. Once you download the newest driver, follow these steps.
Uninstall Intel’s Pinning Shell Extension driver
We also need to remove Intel’s Pinning Shell Extension driver so that the error does not re-appear after the next Windows Update. Follow these steps to uninstall Intel’s Pinning Shell Extension Driver.
Roll Back Windows Update
As we figured out that the Intel Optane Memory error starts because of a Windows Update, W can try using the previous version of windows to fix this issue. However, we should know that this may or may not resolve the problem; if not, try some other fixes mentioned in this article. Follow these steps to roll back your Windows update.
Replace the Missing DLL file
A DLL (Dynamic Link Library) file consists of lines of code that any program can use simultaneously. As these DLL files are universal, we can download them from the internet and replace the missing file. If the Intel Optane Memory Pinning error says the iaStorAfsServiceApi.dll file is missing, we can try replacing this file from the system file. However, we also need to re-register the DLL file if we replace them in the system file. Follow these steps to replace and re-register the DLL file. Now, we need to register this DLL file for the system to recognize this file. Follow these steps to register the DLL file.
