What does HRESULT 0x80040238 (VFW_E_NO_MODEX_AVAILABLE) mean?

 
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ConstantTypeOS
TPC_E_QUEUE_FULLHRESULTWindows
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TPC_E_QUEUE_FULL TPC_E_INVALID_CONFIGURATION

VFW_E_NO_MODEX_AVAILABLE

Meaning

Windows documents VFW_E_NO_MODEX_AVAILABLE as “No full-screen modes are available”. In practical terms, it is returned when a legacy DirectShow renderer cannot find an available Mode X full-screen display mode.

Where the failure belongs

This result belongs to DirectShow filter-graph processing. The relevant condition is that a legacy DirectShow renderer cannot find an available Mode X full-screen display mode.

Likely causes

  • Possible cause 1: the adapter or driver does not expose Mode X.
  • Possible cause 2: current display or remote session disallows legacy full-screen modes.
  • Possible cause 3: another component owns the required exclusive display state.

Evidence to collect

  • Capture 1: adapter, driver and display-mode enumeration.
  • Capture 2: session type and exclusive-mode ownership.
  • Capture 3: renderer CLSID and requested dimensions.

Diagnostic sequence

  1. Confirm that the observed path matches this condition: a legacy DirectShow renderer cannot find an available Mode X full-screen display mode.

Correct handling and retry

  • Corrective action 1: use windowed or modern presentation instead of requiring Mode X.
  • Corrective action 2: select an actually enumerated full-screen mode.
  • Corrective action 3: treat legacy mode absence as a capability limitation.

Retry guidance. Retry only after display configuration or session ownership changes; modern systems may never provide this legacy capability.

Practical scenario

A legacy player requests Mode X inside a remote desktop session; selecting windowed rendering avoids it.

Difference from nearby HRESULTs

VFW_E_NO_FULLSCREEN is the broader absence of any suitable full-screen mode, while it specifically names legacy Mode X.

Official Microsoft references


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