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ERROR_GRAPHICS_MULTISAMPLING_NOT_SUPPORTED
Interpret the result in its owning layer: graphics multisampling not supported
The useful interpretation of ERROR_GRAPHICS_MULTISAMPLING_NOT_SUPPORTED (0xC0262349) starts at the vidpn boundary: the path cannot scan out the requested multisampled primary surface arrangement. In practical terms, inspect VidPN present-path multisampling mode before changing application-wide graphics settings.
Resolve before scan-out when required
Multisampling can be valid for an application render target while unsupported for the primary surface used on a specific present path. Record sample count, sample quality, source format and whether a resolve operation occurs before presentation. The focused control renders into the same multisampled resource, resolves to a single-sample surface and presents that surface. Success demonstrates a scan-out restriction rather than absence of multisample rendering support.
This result: VidPN handles and subobjects are generation-bound. A monitor hot-plug, docking action, session switch or mode commit can invalidate an otherwise well-formed cached object. The built-in one-line message identifies the immediate result; diagnosis also needs the producing API, object ownership and the display generation current at the time.
Capture before recreating objects
| Capture item | Why it matters for it |
|---|---|
| Rejected boundary | the path cannot scan out the requested multisampled primary surface arrangement |
| Decisive capture | sample count, sample quality, source format, path support and resolve behavior |
| Current graph state | VidPN, topology, source and target mode sets, and the present path connecting them |
| Supporting trace | source and target IDs, topology generation, path descriptors, pinned modes, mode-set handles and monitor timing data |
| Object identity | VidPN present-path multisampling mode |
Preserve the unsigned HRESULT, symbolic name, first failing API and timestamp in one record. If cleanup later fails too, keep that secondary result separately from this result.
Reproduce one variable at a time
- Freeze the result generation. Record sample count, sample quality, source format, path support and resolve behavior. Before diagnosing this result, do not resize, hot-plug, recreate or release the object under examination.
- Run the narrow this result comparison. resolve into a single-sample presentation surface and compare. During the result comparison, keep every driver, monitor, resource format and unrelated policy unchanged.
- Observe the layer after it. for it, if the exact check passes, record the next HRESULT or visible outcome. A different downstream result shows that the boundary was crossed.
- Repeat it through a lifecycle transition. for it, exercise one relevant resize, mode switch, device recreation, hot-plug or session change and confirm that it does not reuse stale handles.
The comparison with ERROR_GRAPHICS_INVALID_PIXELFORMAT is especially useful: ERROR_GRAPHICS_INVALID_PIXELFORMAT concerns the source format independent of sample count. Recording both names prevents a broad “graphics error” label from merging distinct ownership, capability and lifetime problems.
Recovery contract
Perform multisampling in the render target and resolve before presentation when required. Repair of it is complete only when the original call succeeds or returns its documented nonfatal status and the same lifetime test remains correct after a second display transition.
- The result trace identifies one producing API and one current graphics object, rather than only the final UI symptom.
- The passing run changes exactly the condition described for it; unrelated adapter, monitor and application state remains unchanged.
- debug-layer, ETW or driver diagnostics no longer report the rejected VidPN present-path multisampling mode contract during the same scenario.
- The application handles recurrence of it without an unbounded retry loop, leaked resource, duplicate composition target or stale topology handle.
Implementation notes
Log source and target IDs, topology generation, path descriptors, pinned modes, mode-set handles and monitor timing data. When the path returns a count, size, status flag or replacement object, retain it even on a nonfatal result because it can direct the next call.
A production fallback for it should be explicit: pause rendering, re-enumerate, rebuild one cache entry, recreate a device, or decline a protected path only when this layer calls for that action. Reinstalling every display component, deleting all caches or forcing a resolution change is not an evidence-based fix for it.
Technical references
- Microsoft: Introduction to Video Present Networks — background for the VidPN present-path multisampling mode boundary involved in it.
- Microsoft: VidPN objects and interfaces
- Microsoft: Enumerating cofunctional VidPN modes
- Microsoft: Determining VidPN support
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