What does HRESULT 0x8004023B (VFW_E_IN_FULLSCREEN_MODE) mean?

 
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VFW_E_NO_FULLSCREEN VFW_E_UNKNOWN_FILE_TYPE

VFW_E_IN_FULLSCREEN_MODE

Meaning

Windows documents VFW_E_IN_FULLSCREEN_MODE as “Cannot call IVideoWindow methods while in full-screen mode”. In practical terms, it is returned when an application calls IVideoWindow methods that are unavailable while the renderer is operating in full-screen mode.

Where the failure belongs

This result belongs to DirectShow filter-graph processing. The relevant condition is that an application calls IVideoWindow methods that are unavailable while the renderer is operating in full-screen mode.

Likely causes

  • Possible cause 1: window ownership or style is changed before leaving full-screen.
  • Possible cause 2: layout code runs without checking current mode.
  • Possible cause 3: asynchronous UI updates race the full-screen transition.

Evidence to collect

  • Capture 1: full-screen mode state and transition timestamps.
  • Capture 2: specific IVideoWindow method and calling thread.
  • Capture 3: UI message and graph-control ordering.

Diagnostic sequence

  1. Confirm that the observed path matches this condition: an application calls IVideoWindow methods that are unavailable while the renderer is operating in full-screen mode.

Correct handling and retry

  • Corrective action 1: leave full-screen before performing windowed-mode operations.
  • Corrective action 2: suspend incompatible layout updates during transition.
  • Corrective action 3: serialize renderer mode changes on the owning UI thread.

Retry guidance. Retry after full-screen mode is disabled and the transition has completed.

Practical scenario

A resize handler calls put_WindowStyle during full-screen playback; deferring layout until windowed mode prevents it.

Difference from nearby HRESULTs

VFW_E_NO_FULLSCREEN means full-screen cannot be entered; it means it is active and blocks a windowed-only method.

Official Microsoft references


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