If none of the above work, the issue is likely a deep-seated permission error or registry corruption. Do a clean reinstall:
If you have tried everything and still see the error, check the Steam Community Hub for Black Ops 2 —there are user-made batch scripts that force permissions, but use them with caution. Good luck, soldier. black ops 2 cannot create steam-api.dll
: If the file won't restore, disable your real-time antivirus protection temporarily, uninstall the game, and then reinstall it. Ensure you add the game's installation folder to your antivirus Exclusion list before turning protection back on. Move the Game Folder Fixing the "Black Ops 2 Cannot Create steam-api
: Antivirus programs, like Windows Defender, often flag steam-api.dll as a threat and quarantine it. : If the file won't restore, disable your