Arnold render MAXtoA errors when starting 3ds Max

Issue:

When starting 3ds Max it will crash with one or more of these messages:
DLL <c:\programdata\autodesk\applicationplugins\maxtoa_202x\MaxtoA.dlr> failed to initialize. Error code 126 – The specified module could not be found.

Error 126 MaxtoA.dlr failed to initialize message in 3ds Max

DLL <c:\programdata\autodesk\applicationplugins\maxtoa_202x\MaxtoA_Menu.gup> failed to initialize. Error code 126 – The specified module could not be found.

MaxtoA_Menu.gup failed to initialize error window in 3ds Max

“./ArnoldInstanceShape.dlu” specified in “C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\MAXtoA_20XX\PackageContents.xml” doesn’t exist.
“./ArnoldFluidUtil.dlu” specified in “C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\MAXtoA_20XX\PackageContents.xml” doesn’t exist.
“./OperatorGraphPlugin.dla” specified in “C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\MAXtoA_20XX\PackageContents.xml” doesn’t exist.

3ds Max Plug-in Package Manager showing missing Arnold .dlu and .dla files

Causes:

Corruption during Arnold installation.

Solution:

Uninstall and Reinstall the MaxtoA plugin:

1. In Windows, open the Control Panel > Programs and Features menu.
2. In the programs list, find the entry for the MAXtoA for 3ds Max plugin.
3. Right-click and select Uninstall.
4. Go to the Arnold Download page and download the latest version of MAXtoA for your version of 3ds Max.
5. Run the installer and complete the setup.
6. Restart 3ds Max to verify the plugin loads correctly.