A crash during installation or an interrupted update can leave files missing.
This is the most common cause. Antivirus software often flags the DLL as a "false positive" and moves it to quarantine, thinking it's a threat. steam api dll pes 2016 link
If you are a fan of Pro Evolution Soccer 2016, you’ve likely encountered the frustrating "steam_api.dll is missing" or "entry point not found" error. This specific Dynamic Link Library (DLL) file is essential for the game to communicate with the Steam client, and without it, the game simply won't launch. A crash during installation or an interrupted update
Sometimes the issue isn't with the game, but with the Steam API itself. Reinstalling the Steam client can refresh the global DLL files stored on your system. A Warning on "Steam_api.dll Link" Downloads If you are a fan of Pro Evolution
It is always safer to get the file via Steam’s verification process or by reinstalling the game rather than downloading a loose file from an unverified source. Conclusion