i want to start the game but it keeps telling me "steam_api.dll missing" i downloaded the updated files.

Any ideas how to fix this?

i want to start the game but it keeps telling me "steam_api.dll missing" i downloaded the updated files.

Any ideas how to fix this?

Redownload the game? or search around

Delete caches.xml and start LaunchIW5M.exe

steam_api.dll isn't even used by IW5M, so there's no chance that you get that error while using the right IW5M files.

IW5M doesnt use steam_api.dll instead it uses iw5m.dll

Use LaunchIW5M.exe your problem is most likely that you are running Iw5mp.exe which is a Steam file that uses Steam_api.dll.