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ERROR_INVALID_EA_HANDLE
The EA handle is not valid for this request
ERROR_INVALID_EA_HANDLE is a Win32 result associated with extended-attribute enumeration or update APIs., diagnosis should begin with the exact API, target object, and operation that produced it rather than with the message text alone.
What the result means
The extended-attribute handle supplied to the operation is invalid or stale. The practical meaning depends on the caller and on whether the affected object is local, remote, removable, policy-managed, or handled asynchronously. Diagnostics for it should retain its symbolic name, numeric value, and the operation name together.
What to check
- Trace where the handle was opened and closed.
- Check for reuse after close and cross-thread lifetime races.
- Verify that the handle belongs to the same file, volume, and API family.
- Reopen the object after media changes or reconnects.
Recommended handling
Retry only after obtaining a new valid handle. Reusing the same stale value can hide a lifetime bug and may target the wrong object if handle values are recycled.
Developer notes
Code handling this result should capture the failing API, resolved path or device identity, requested access, process identity, and the first observed error. After a call that reports it, read GetLastError() immediately because later cleanup or logging can overwrite the value. Retry it only when the specific condition is documented as transient, using a bounded delay and cancellation support.
References
- Microsoft: System error codes relevant to ERROR_INVALID_EA_HANDLE
- Microsoft: File management context for ERROR_INVALID_EA_HANDLE
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