HRESULT 0x8022001A (WCM_E_ASSERTIONFAILED): meaning and diagnosis

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A concrete SMI value or metadata state fails a declared assertion.

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WCM_E_CONFLICTINGASSERTION	WCM_E_DUPLICATENAME

WCM_E_ASSERTIONFAILED

WCM_E_ASSERTIONFAILED is the failure HRESULT 0x8022001A (signed decimal -2145255398, unsigned decimal 2149711898). Its severity bit is 1, facility is 34 (FACILITY_STATE_MANAGEMENT), and the facility-specific code field is 0x001A.

AllStat records the Windows SDK description as “Assertion Validation failed.”

What the HRESULT establishes

A declared assertion rejected the current configuration. The operation reached validation after the applicable assertion has been found and evaluated. The first branch to test is whether the value lies outside a declared range; keep that separate from the possibility that a cross-setting condition is false.

Processing stage

At this boundary, capture failed setting path and rendered value, then correlate it with assertion text/name and source location. Assign ownership only after checking other settings referenced by the assertion.

Failure patterns to separate

the value lies outside a declared range
a cross-setting condition is false
a required relationship between list members is not satisfied
target/user scope changes the assertion applied to the same apparent value

Capture these facts first

failed setting path and rendered value
assertion text/name and source location
other settings referenced by the assertion
target mode, user scope, architecture, and language
all validation results because one invalid value can trigger dependent failures

A safe investigation order

evaluate the assertion with captured inputs
correct the value or dependent setting rather than removing validation
test boundary and scope-specific cases
validate the smallest settings set that preserves the relationship
re-run namespace validation before saving or applying changes

Recovery conditions

Retry after changing the evaluated inputs. Repeating validation against unchanged settings will produce the same result.

Do not confuse it with adjacent codes

WCM_E_RESTRICTIONFAILED usually identifies a value violating a restriction facet; ASSERTIONFAILED can represent a broader declarative condition involving multiple pieces of state.

Deployment example

A setting is valid alone, but an assertion requires it to be disabled whenever another feature flag is off. The combined configuration fails validation.

Telemetry fields worth retaining

For operational telemetry, retain other settings referenced by the assertion; also record target mode, user scope, architecture, and language. Preserve a redacted summary of all validation results because one invalid value can trigger dependent failures; use a cryptographic hash when that evidence is a file, stream, or generated artifact.

Validate the complete input set

A single displayed setting may not be the only input. Capture every setting referenced by the assertion so the failed condition can be replayed without relying on mutable machine state.

Official Microsoft references.

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