[asp.net] You must add a reference to assembly 'netstandard, Version=2.0.0.0

The project is an ASP.NET MVC Web App targeting the .NET Framework 4.6.1.

All of a sudden (some NuGet packages were upgraded) I started to get the following error during runtime:

CS0012: The type 'System.Object' is defined in an assembly that is not referenced. You must add a reference to assembly 'netstandard, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=cc7b13ffcd2ddd51'.

In my main view Index.cshtml, in a line where I make use of @Html.ActionLink

I do have .NET Core SDK 2.0 and .NET Framework 4.7.1 installed in my machine but I don't want to include a reference to it. This is a .NET Framework web app only, it's hosted on Windows IIS where the installed framework is 4.6.1, there's no NET Core installed in the server.

So why is it asking to add a reference to netstandard? How can I fix it without referencing netstandard but the full Windows .NET Framework 4.6.1?

I've checked out a previous commit which worked fine and I'm still getting this error. So it's not related to NuGet packages being upgraded. Seems to be something on my local dev machine.

If a publish the app to a directory and run it with IIS it works.

Link to .csproj gist

packages.config

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<packages>
  <package id="Antlr" version="3.5.0.2" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="BundleTransformer.Core" version="1.9.69" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="BundleTransformer.Handlebars" version="1.9.73" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="BundleTransformer.Less" version="1.9.69" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="BundleTransformer.Yui" version="1.9.52" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Dapper" version="1.42" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="EcmaScript.Net" version="1.0.1.0" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="EntityFramework" version="6.0.0" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Glimpse" version="1.8.6" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Glimpse.AspNet" version="1.9.2" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Glimpse.Mvc5" version="1.5.3" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="JavaScriptEngineSwitcher.Core" version="1.2.4" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="JavaScriptEngineSwitcher.V8" version="1.3.0" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="jQuery" version="2.1.3" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="jQuery.Validation" version="1.13.1" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="LowercaseDashedRoute" version="1.0.14" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Microsoft.AspNet.Mvc" version="5.2.3" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Microsoft.AspNet.Razor" version="3.2.3" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Microsoft.AspNet.Web.Optimization" version="1.1.3" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Microsoft.AspNet.WebApi" version="5.2.3" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Microsoft.AspNet.WebApi.Client" version="5.2.3" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Microsoft.AspNet.WebApi.Core" version="5.2.3" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Microsoft.AspNet.WebApi.WebHost" version="5.2.3" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Microsoft.AspNet.WebPages" version="3.2.3" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Microsoft.jQuery.Unobtrusive.Validation" version="3.2.3" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Microsoft.Owin" version="3.0.1" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Microsoft.Owin.Host.SystemWeb" version="3.0.1" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Microsoft.SqlServer.Compact" version="4.0.8876.1" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Microsoft.Web.Infrastructure" version="1.0.0.0" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Moment.js" version="2.10.2" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Newtonsoft.Json" version="10.0.3" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="NWebsec" version="5.1.1" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="NWebsec.Core" version="2.1.0" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="NWebsec.Mvc" version="5.1.1" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Owin" version="1.0" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Respond" version="1.4.2" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Sendgrid" version="6.3.0" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="SendGrid.SmtpApi" version="1.3.1" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Serilog" version="2.6.0" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Serilog.Enrichers.Environment" version="2.1.2" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Serilog.Sinks.File" version="3.2.0" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Serilog.Sinks.RollingFile" version="3.3.0" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Serilog.Sinks.Sentry" version="2.1.4" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="SerilogWeb.Classic" version="2.1.17" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="SharpRaven" version="2.2.0" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="System.Data.SQLite" version="1.0.108.0" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="System.Data.SQLite.Core" version="1.0.108.0" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="System.Data.SQLite.EF6" version="1.0.108.0" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="System.Data.SQLite.Linq" version="1.0.108.0" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="Twitter.Bootstrap.Less" version="3.3.4" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="WebActivatorEx" version="2.0.6" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="WebGrease" version="1.6.0" targetFramework="net46" />
  <package id="YUICompressor.NET" version="2.7.0.0" targetFramework="net46" />
</packages>

When publishing the app using VS2017 to the file system I get the following warning in the output:

The following assembly has dependencies on a version of the .NET Framework that is higher than the target and might not load correctly during runtime causing a failure: netstandard, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=cc7b13ffcd2ddd51. The dependencies are: System.Transactions, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089. You should either ensure that the dependent assembly is correct for the target framework, or ensure that the target framework you are addressing is that of the dependent assembly.

But I can't find anything on System.Transactions. How can I search what's referencing it?

This question is related to asp.net .net asp.net-mvc .net-framework-version

The answer is


Might have todo with one of these:

  1. Install a newer SDK.
  2. In .csproj check for Reference Include="netstandard"
  3. Check the assembly versions in the compilation tags in the Views\Web.config and Web.config.

After upgrading from 4.6.1 framework to 4.7.2 we started getting this error:

"The type 'System.Object' is defined in an assembly that is not referenced. You must add a reference to assembly 'netstandard, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=cc7b13ffcd2ddd51'." and ultimately the solution was to add the "netstandard" assembly reference mentioned above:

<compilation debug="true" targetFramework="4.7.1" >
    <assemblies>
      <add assembly="netstandard, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, 
            PublicKeyToken=cc7b13ffcd2ddd51"/>
    </assemblies>
  </compilation>

Manually editing the .csproj file and adding the reference below worked for me.

<Reference Include="netstandard" />

Thank you to Fahad Alshaya who suggested it here.


We started getting this error on the production server after deploying the application migrated from 4.6.1 to 4.7.2.

We noticed that the .NET framework 4.7.2 was not installed there. In order to solve this issue we did the following steps:

  1. Installed the .NET Framework 4.7.2 from:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4054530/microsoft-net-framework-4-7-2-offline-installer-for-windows

  2. Restarted the machine

  3. Confirmed the .NET Framework version with the help of How do I find the .NET version?

Running the application again with the .Net Framework 4.7.2 version installed on the machine fixed the issue.


You can add to your web.config in your project.

It wouldn't work when you add it to projects web.config because it works with MVC.


I was facing this problem when trying to add a .NETStandard dependency to a .NET4.6.1 library, and compiling it in Linux with Mono 4.6.2 (the version that comes with Ubuntu 16.04).

I finally solved it today; the solution requires to do both of these things:

  1. Change <TargetFrameworkVersion>v4.6.1</TargetFrameworkVersion> to <TargetFrameworkVersion>v4.7.1</TargetFrameworkVersion> in the .csproj file.
  2. Upgrade your mono to a newer version. I believe 5.x should work, but to be sure, you can just install Ubuntu 20.04 (which at the time of writing is only in preview), which includes Mono 6.8.0.105.

Deleting Bin and Obj folders worked for me.


I had to do a combination of other people's answers on this thread.

  1. Install the NetStandard.Library via NuGet
  2. Manually editing the .csproj file and adding the reference. <Reference Include="netstandard" />
  3. Expanding project-->References in the VS Solution Explorer, right clicking on 'netstandard' and showing the properties page and setting "Copy Local" to true.

I experienced this when upgrading .NET Core 1.1 to 2.1.

I followed the instructions outlined here.

Try to remove <RuntimeFrameworkVersion>1.1.1</RuntimeFrameworkVersion> or <NetStandardImplicitPackageVersion> section in the .csproj.


Although this is an old thread, I had the same issue today, last week I updated some NuGet packages and although the MVC website worked OK on my dev machine when I published to the testing server it failed.

I read numerous posts but none worked. I finally compared the DLL's in my local bin to those in the testing server and found that the netstandard.dll was not uploaded, once uploaded the website worked OK, not sure why VS2017 web deploy did not publish the DLL.

Just something to look out for in case none of the above work for you.


Those who are not having web.config file. Output Type other than web application. update the project file (.csproj) with below give code.

It may cause due to adding/removing the .netframework in improper way or it may broke unexpected way.

  <ItemGroup>
    <Reference Include="netstandard" />
  </ItemGroup>

Output Type

  • Console application
  • Class Library

enter image description here

Set Copy Enbale to true in netstandard.dll properties.

Open Solution Explorer and right click on netstandard.dll. Set Copy Local to true.


This is where netstandard.dll exists: C:\Program Files (x86)\Reference Assemblies\Microsoft\Framework.NETFramework\v4.7.2\Facades\netstandard.dll Add ref to your Project through this.


The solution of Quango in is working but I prefer to resolve it by adding this code in my Web.config like new projects :

<system.codedom>
    <compilers>
      <compiler language="c#;cs;csharp" extension=".cs"
        type="Microsoft.CodeDom.Providers.DotNetCompilerPlatform.CSharpCodeProvider, Microsoft.CodeDom.Providers.DotNetCompilerPlatform, Version=3.6.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35"
        warningLevel="4" compilerOptions="/langversion:default /nowarn:1659;1699;1701"/>
      <compiler language="vb;vbs;visualbasic;vbscript" extension=".vb"
        type="Microsoft.CodeDom.Providers.DotNetCompilerPlatform.VBCodeProvider, Microsoft.CodeDom.Providers.DotNetCompilerPlatform, Version=3.6.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35"
        warningLevel="4" compilerOptions="/langversion:default /nowarn:41008 /define:_MYTYPE=\&quot;Web\&quot; /optionInfer+"/>
    </compilers>
  </system.codedom>

I am facing Same Problem i do following Setup Now Application Work fine

1-

<compilation debug="true" targetFramework="4.7.1">
      <assemblies>
        <add assembly="netstandard, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, 
      PublicKeyToken=cc7b13ffcd2ddd51"/>
      </assemblies>
    </compilation>

2- Add Reference

 **C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual
Studio\2017\Professional\Common7\IDE\Extensions\Microsoft\ADL
 Tools\2.4.0000.0\ASALocalRun\netstandard.dll**

3-

Copy Above Path Dll to Application Bin Folder on web server


I have run into this before and trying a number of things has fixed it for me:

  • Delete a bin folder if it exists
  • Delete the hidden .vs folder
  • Make sure the 4.6.1 targeting pack is installed
  • Last Ditch Effort: Add a reference to System.Runtime (right click project -> add -> reference -> tick the box next to System.Runtime), although I think I've always figured out one of the above has solved it instead of doing this.

Also, if this is a .net core app running on the full framework, I've found you have to include a global.json file at the root of your project and point it to the SDK you want to use for that project:

{
  "sdk": {
    "version": "1.0.0-preview2-003121"
  }
}

This issue is based on your installed version of visual studio and Windows, you can follow the following steps:-

  1. Go to Command Window
  2. downgraded your PCL by the following command

    Install-Package Xamarin.Forms -Version 2.5.1.527436
    
  3. Rebuild Your Project.
  4. Now You will able to see the required output

Examples related to asp.net

RegisterStartupScript from code behind not working when Update Panel is used You must add a reference to assembly 'netstandard, Version=2.0.0.0 No authenticationScheme was specified, and there was no DefaultChallengeScheme found with default authentification and custom authorization How to use log4net in Asp.net core 2.0 Visual Studio 2017 error: Unable to start program, An operation is not legal in the current state How to create roles in ASP.NET Core and assign them to users? How to handle Uncaught (in promise) DOMException: The play() request was interrupted by a call to pause() ASP.NET Core Web API Authentication Could not load file or assembly 'CrystalDecisions.ReportAppServer.CommLayer, Version=13.0.2000.0 WebForms UnobtrusiveValidationMode requires a ScriptResourceMapping for jquery

Examples related to .net

You must add a reference to assembly 'netstandard, Version=2.0.0.0 How to use Bootstrap 4 in ASP.NET Core No authenticationScheme was specified, and there was no DefaultChallengeScheme found with default authentification and custom authorization .net Core 2.0 - Package was restored using .NetFramework 4.6.1 instead of target framework .netCore 2.0. The package may not be fully compatible Update .NET web service to use TLS 1.2 EF Core add-migration Build Failed What is the difference between .NET Core and .NET Standard Class Library project types? Visual Studio 2017 - Could not load file or assembly 'System.Runtime, Version=4.1.0.0' or one of its dependencies Nuget connection attempt failed "Unable to load the service index for source" Token based authentication in Web API without any user interface

Examples related to asp.net-mvc

Using Lato fonts in my css (@font-face) Better solution without exluding fields from Binding Vue.js get selected option on @change You must add a reference to assembly 'netstandard, Version=2.0.0.0 How to send json data in POST request using C# VS 2017 Metadata file '.dll could not be found The default XML namespace of the project must be the MSBuild XML namespace How to create roles in ASP.NET Core and assign them to users? The model item passed into the dictionary is of type .. but this dictionary requires a model item of type How to use npm with ASP.NET Core

Examples related to .net-framework-version

You must add a reference to assembly 'netstandard, Version=2.0.0.0 redistributable offline .NET Framework 3.5 installer for Windows 8 Determine .NET Framework version for dll What are the correct version numbers for C#?