| Previous | Next |
| COMADMIN_E_ROLE_DOES_NOT_EXIST | COMADMIN_E_REQUIRES_DIFFERENT_PLATFORM |
COMADMIN_E_START_APP_NEEDS_COMPONENTS
Starting and controlling a COM+ application: exact meaning of COMADMIN_E_START_APP_NEEDS_COMPONENTS
A COM+ application cannot be started because it contains no components. StartApplication validates that the application has executable component entries before launching a host.
Windows describes this condition as “You must have components in an application in order to start the application”.
Where the result occurs
Administrative start/stop operations apply only to appropriate server applications with valid enabled components; they do not create executable contents or change application type. In the specific case of this result, populate the Components collection, verify installation completed, and distinguish an intentionally empty deployment shell from a failed install.
Evidence to collect before repair
- Preserve AppID, application type, Enabled property, and component count; it anchors the failure to the real administration object.
- Evidence should include StartApplication caller and exact target selector, captured before a repair changes state.
- Collect recent deployment and disablement events when diagnosing this result; without it the symbolic HRESULT is underdetermined.
- Record COM+ application process and System Application logs.
Diagnostic sequence
- resolve the application by AppID.
- verify it is an enabled server application.
- The next diagnostic action is to confirm at least one valid component is installed.
- To isolate it, correct deployment/configuration before starting.
- Start once and validate activation rather than looping retries.
Retry and recovery
Install at least one valid component or avoid starting the empty application.
Difference from nearby COMADMIN results
COMADMIN_E_CAN_NOT_START_APP concerns an application type such as library application or proxy; it concerns missing contents.
Practical administration scenario
Deployment creates the application object but component installation fails, and a later start request sees an empty application.
Official Microsoft references
Looking for a different code? Search another status or error code.