What does HRESULT 0x00040EDB (DB_S_PARAMUNAVAILABLE) mean?

DB_S_PARAMUNAVAILABLE

OLE DB parameter information is unavailable

DB_S_PARAMUNAVAILABLE is HRESULT 265947 (0x00040EDB) from Microsoft OLE DB. The documented description is “Parameter is invalid.” The severity bit indicates a nonfailure result, but the value carries a specific condition that must not be collapsed into plain S_OK.

In the OLE DB provider and consumer contract, this result means that parameter is invalid. A generic success branch is insufficient for this HRESULT because continuation and output validity remain code-specific.

What must be true before accepting it

Verify that the caller can continue without the requested parameter information and does not mistake an unavailable parameter for a valid populated value. This boundary is where this result changes from useful state information into a potentially mishandled result.

A retry decision for this HRESULT requires evidence about already-completed work and outstanding work.

Where the status is encountered

• This result can be returned during OLE DB command or rowset processing; log the exact method and object state instead of interpreting the constant outside that contract.
• This result can be returned during provider metadata, binding, or update handling; log the exact method and object state instead of interpreting the constant outside that contract.
• It can be returned during data-access wrappers that reduce HRESULT to a Boolean; log the exact method and object state instead of interpreting the constant outside that contract.

Evidence to preserve

• Preserve parameter ordinal and name.
• Preserve requested and returned type metadata.
• Preserve DBPARAMINFO flags.
• Preserve provider error records.
• Preserve whether the command was prepared or executed.

Correct handling and recovery

Inspect the parameter-specific status and provider error records. Continue only if the parameter is optional or can be derived from the command contract; otherwise request corrected metadata or reject execution before binding.

Practical scenario

A command builder asks the provider for parameter metadata before preparing a stored procedure. One optional return parameter is unavailable, so it binds the documented input parameters only and records the provider version instead of inventing a type.

Difference from nearby results

DB_S_ERRORSOCCURRED reports mixed per-element results, while it is specifically about parameter information that the provider did not make usable.

Branching precisely on it prevents cancellation, pending work, and partial output from sharing one path.

References

• Microsoft: OLE DB return codes — official Microsoft material relevant to this HRESULT.
• Microsoft: OLE DB errors
• Microsoft: HRESULT values