Windows error 1425 (ERROR_DC_NOT_FOUND): meaning and diagnosis

Status / error code:		Category:

Constant name:
Source:		Operating System:
Description: the supplied HDC does not identify a valid device context for the requested operation.

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ERROR_DC_NOT_FOUND

The device-context handle is invalid

A display device context is an opaque GDI drawing state obtained through paths such as BeginPaint, GetDC, GetDCEx, or GetWindowDC. Its lifetime and release API depend on how it was obtained.

A frequent cause is keeping a common/window DC after ReleaseDC, using a paint DC after EndPaint, or confusing an HDC with another GDI handle. ReleaseDC must also be paired with GetDC/GetWindowDC and called from the same thread for common/window DCs.

What to check

Track the acquisition API next to the HDC.
Pair BeginPaint with EndPaint and GetDC with ReleaseDC.
Do not cache common DCs beyond their documented use.
Log thread identity if the handle crosses worker/UI thread boundaries.

Drawing failures with a valid DC may involve selected GDI objects or clipping; this code says the DC handle itself cannot be resolved.

References

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