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ERROR_SEM_TIMEOUT
The synchronization wait timed out
ERROR_SEM_TIMEOUT reports that a synchronization or device operation waited for a semaphore-related condition and the configured timeout elapsed first. It often points to a stalled peer, slow hardware, or an operation whose timeout is too aggressive.
What to check
- Measure the actual wait duration and record the timeout value.
- Inspect the thread or device expected to signal completion.
- Check for deadlocks, lost notifications, blocked I/O, and overloaded hardware.
- Do not assume that a longer timeout fixes the underlying cause.
How to handle it
Treat the result according to whether the operation is safe to retry. Cancel or unwind outstanding work before retrying so that a late completion cannot corrupt state.
References
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