What does HRESULT 0x80284005 (TBS_E_INSUFFICIENT_BUFFER) mean?

 
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TBS_E_INVALID_CONTEXT TBS_E_IOERROR

TBS_E_INSUFFICIENT_BUFFER

Where the failure is raised

TBS_E_INSUFFICIENT_BUFFER (0x80284005) belongs to the public and internal TPM Base Services path. It indicates the public TBS output buffer is valid but cannot hold the full returned result.

Evidence that changes the diagnosis

QuestionEvidence
What exact state was rejected?the public TBS output buffer is valid but cannot hold the full returned result
Which layer owns the result?The TBS client library, local RPC service and command scheduler before or around device execution.
What must be correlated?input capacity, required size returned through the length parameter, command maximum response, allocation arithmetic, and whether the same variable was reused incorrectly
Controlled comparisonperform the documented sizing call or allocate the reported size and repeat without changing the command

A useful trace links three code-specific timelines: the application call, the local TBS/provider or firmware event, and the raw command/response exchange. The timestamps should describe one attempt; combining data from separate retries is particularly misleading for authorization sessions, context counters, DAA stages and lockout state.

A controlled verification

The one-variable check is to perform the documented sizing call or allocate the reported size and repeat without changing the command. Record the before/after state that the result command is allowed to change. If the operation can have side effects, use a disposable key, session, counter or NV index rather than production material.

  1. Capture this result and 0x80284005 at the first code-specific return boundary.
  2. Decode the result state: TBS function, context, pointer and buffer contract, service state, command size and nested status.
  3. Run the controlled comparison once and preserve both binary transcripts.
  4. Verify the expected output or state transition instead of relying on absence of a UI message.

Related TPM and TBS results

Comparison codeBuilt-in distinction
TBS_E_INVALID_CONTEXT_PARAMOne or more context parameters is invalid.
TBS_E_INVALID_CONTEXTThe specified context handle does not refer to a valid context.
TBS_E_SERVICE_START_PENDINGThe TBS service has been started but is not yet running.

It specifically answers whether the public TBS output buffer is valid but cannot hold the full returned result. In contrast, TBS_E_BUFFER_TOO_LARGE rejects an excessive buffer rather than insufficient capacity.

Correction and proof

To remediate it, honor the returned required length and cap allocations against the documented TBS maximum. Do not restart or disable TBS before capturing its service and event data. Most caller-contract errors are reproducible without touching TPM ownership, firmware state or stored keys.

Authoritative references


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