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VFW_E_CIRCULAR_GRAPH
Meaning
Windows documents VFW_E_CIRCULAR_GRAPH as “The filter graph is circular”. In practical terms, it is returned when a DirectShow connection would create a cycle in the filter graph where the graph-building operation requires an acyclic topology.
Likely causes
- Possible cause 1: an output is routed back to an upstream input.
- Possible cause 2: automatic graph building selects a path through a filter already in the branch.
- Possible cause 3: application topology code confuses source and sink endpoints.
Evidence to collect
- Capture 1: proposed source and destination pin identities.
- Capture 2: current graph edges and traversal path.
- Capture 3: intermediate filters selected by the graph builder.
Correct handling and retry
- Corrective action 1: detect reachability before adding the connection.
- Corrective action 2: separate intentional feedback processing into a component designed for intentional feedback processing.
- Corrective action 3: build and validate topology in a staging representation.
Retry guidance. Retry after changing the proposed edge or removing the conflicting path.
Practical scenario
A custom routing UI connects a transform output to a pin upstream of the same transform; cycle detection prevents it.
Difference from nearby HRESULTs
VFW_E_INVALID_DIRECTION rejects pins with incompatible directions, while it rejects a directionally possible edge that closes a cycle.
Official Microsoft references
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