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DB_E_MISMATCHEDPROVIDER
Meaning
Windows documents DB_E_MISMATCHEDPROVIDER as “Initialization string specifies a provider that does not match the active provider”. In this case, an initialization string names a provider different from the provider represented by the active data source object.
Relevant contract
OLE DB initialization strings select a provider and set initialization properties before IDBInitialize::Initialize. Syntax errors, missing provider registration and a provider mismatch are distinct from server connectivity and authentication failures.
Investigation of this result should start with the uninitialized data source object, parsed initialization properties and provider CLSID or ProgID.
Evidence to collect
When recording diagnostic data involving passwords, tokens, server names and complete connection strings, use types, lengths, hashes or redacted identifiers rather than secrets or complete business data.
- Evidence 1: active provider CLSID and ProgID.
- Evidence 2: provider specified by the parsed string.
- Evidence 3: factory or pool key that created the data source object.
Conditions that specifically lead to it
- Cause 1: a generic connection string is applied to a precreated provider object.
- Cause 2: pool metadata and connection-string provider fields diverged.
- Cause 3: a wrapper retained a Provider property while switching factories.
Diagnostic sequence
- Identify the exact failing stage: an initialization string names a provider different from the provider represented by the active data source object.
Retry and recovery
Retry rule: retry after aligning the active data source object with the provider specified by the initialization properties.
Corrective actions
- Action 1: remove redundant provider selection when using a fixed provider object.
- Action 2: create the object for the provider named by the string.
- Action 3: include provider identity in pooling and configuration keys.
Practical scenario
A pool reuses a SQL provider object for a Jet connection string; provider-aware pool keys prevent the mismatch.
Difference from nearby HRESULT values
DB_E_BADINITSTRING means the string is malformed, while DB_E_MISMATCHEDPROVIDER means valid properties select a different provider.
Official Microsoft references
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