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ERROR_GRAPHICS_INVALID_COPYPROTECTION_TYPE
Interpret the result in its owning layer: graphics invalid copyprotection type
The useful interpretation of ERROR_GRAPHICS_INVALID_COPYPROTECTION_TYPE (0xC026234F) starts at the vidpn boundary: the requested copy-protection type is invalid for the present path descriptor. In practical terms, inspect VidPN path copy-protection selection before changing application-wide graphics settings.
Keep VidPN metadata separate from OPM negotiation
The copy-protection field in a present path must be a recognized type; it is not a shortcut for forcing HDCP, ACP or another OPM protection level. Record the connector, content classification, requested path field and the actual OPM capability result. In the A/B test, submit a documented neutral or supported path value and negotiate protection through the protected-output interface separately. This prevents a malformed enum from being misdiagnosed as an HDCP hardware failure.
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 |
|---|---|
| Object identity | VidPN path copy-protection selection |
| Rejected boundary | the requested copy-protection type is invalid for the present path descriptor |
| Decisive capture | protection enum, connector, content type, OPM capability and target mode |
| 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 |
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 protection enum, connector, content type, OPM capability and target mode. Before diagnosing this result, do not resize, hot-plug, recreate or release the object under examination.
- Run the narrow this result comparison. remove the invalid type or select one reported for the output. 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_OPM_NOT_SUPPORTED is especially useful: ERROR_GRAPHICS_OPM_NOT_SUPPORTED indicates the output protection subsystem is unavailable. Recording both names prevents a broad “graphics error” label from merging distinct ownership, capability and lifetime problems.
Recovery contract
Negotiate output protection through OPM and keep VidPN metadata within documented enums. 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 path copy-protection selection 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 path copy-protection selection boundary involved in it.
- Microsoft: VidPN objects and interfaces
- Microsoft: Enumerating cofunctional VidPN modes
- Microsoft: Determining VidPN support
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