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VFW_E_NO_COLOR_KEY_SET
Meaning
Windows documents VFW_E_NO_COLOR_KEY_SET as “No color key has been set”. In practical terms, it is returned when an overlay operation requires a color key but none has been configured for the current surface or connection.
Likely causes
- Possible cause 1: the application queries or uses the key before calling the relevant overlay setup.
- Possible cause 2: graph reconstruction discards the previous key.
- Possible cause 3: the renderer selected a mode that does not establish a destination color key.
Evidence to collect
- Capture 1: overlay connection identity and surface mode.
- Capture 2: last color-key set call and value.
- Capture 3: display-format changes and graph reconnection events.
Correct handling and retry
- Corrective action 1: set a supported color key before the dependent overlay operation.
- Corrective action 2: reapply overlay state after reconnection or display changes.
- Corrective action 3: avoid color-key code paths when the renderer uses another presentation mode.
Retry guidance. Retry after a key is successfully set and verified; changing unrelated palette state is not enough.
Difference from nearby HRESULTs
VFW_E_NO_COLOR_KEY_FOUND means negotiation could not find a matching key, whereas it means no key has been configured.
Practical scenario
A legacy overlay renderer is reconnected after a display-mode change and loses its destination key; reapplying the key resolves it.
Official Microsoft references
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