What does Windows error code 2010 (ERROR_INVALID_CMM) mean?

 
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ERROR_CLIPPING_NOT_SUPPORTED ERROR_INVALID_PROFILE

ERROR_INVALID_CMM

The specified color management module is invalid.

ERROR_INVALID_CMM is Win32 error 2010 (0x7DA). A color management module (CMM) evaluates profile data and builds color transforms. The error means the requested CMM identifier or implementation cannot be used; it is distinct from an invalid ICC/WCS profile supplied to an otherwise valid color engine.

Why a CMM is rejected

  • the CMM identifier is unknown, malformed, or refers to a component that is not installed
  • registration points to a missing, wrong-architecture, damaged, or incompatible module
  • the process requests a legacy or vendor CMM unavailable in the current Windows environment
  • application configuration confuses a profile identifier, file name, or display label with a CMM identifier
  • security hardening, servicing, or deployment removed the module while cached settings still select it

Color-engine evidence

Record the API, requested CMM ID, process architecture, installed/selected color engine, profile paths and classes, rendering intent, Windows build, deployment package version, and whether the default CMM succeeds. Do not copy proprietary profile contents into telemetry; hashes, file metadata, and validation results are usually sufficient.

Diagnosis

Verify how the application selected the CMM and whether the identifier corresponds to an installed supported implementation. Repeat the operation with the system default CMM while keeping profiles and rendering intent unchanged. Success isolates module selection rather than profile content.

Check architecture and registration consistency after upgrades. If a vendor CMM is required, validate its signed installation and supported Windows versions. Avoid manually copying DLLs or editing registration without the vendor installer.

Recovery

Select the system default or a properly installed compatible CMM, repair the vendor package, and invalidate cached transforms created with the unavailable module. Re-run color validation after replacement because output can differ across engines.

Applications should store stable CMM identifiers, enumerate availability at startup, and degrade explicitly to a documented default. Include the selected engine in color-production audit records for reproducibility.

Difference from ERROR_INVALID_PROFILE

ERROR_INVALID_PROFILE says the color profile is malformed or unusable. Error 2010 says the processing module itself is invalid; testing the same profile with the default CMM distinguishes the two.

Example

A proofing tool is configured to use a vendor CMM removed during an upgrade. Transform creation returns 2010 for every profile. Switching to the system CMM succeeds, and reinstalling the supported vendor package restores the intended production configuration.

References

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