| Previous | Next |
| VFW_E_NO_COLOR_KEY_FOUND | VFW_E_NO_DISPLAY_PALETTE |
VFW_E_NO_PALETTE_AVAILABLE
Meaning
Windows documents VFW_E_NO_PALETTE_AVAILABLE as “No palette is available”. In practical terms, it is returned when a DirectShow renderer or media type requires palette information but no palette is available.
Evidence to collect
- Capture 1: media subtype, bit depth and format block.
- Capture 2: palette entry count and source buffer length.
- Capture 3: AM_MEDIA_TYPE copy and ownership path.
Where the failure belongs
This result belongs to DirectShow filter-graph processing. The relevant condition is that a DirectShow renderer or media type requires palette information but no palette is available.
Likely causes
- Possible cause 1: the source format omits required palette entries.
- Possible cause 2: the renderer expects an indexed-color palette that the upstream filter did not provide.
- Possible cause 3: palette data was lost during media-type copying.
Diagnostic sequence
- Confirm that the observed path matches this condition: a DirectShow renderer or media type requires palette information but no palette is available.
Correct handling and retry
- Corrective action 1: supply a complete palette for indexed formats.
- Corrective action 2: preserve palette data when copying format blocks.
- Corrective action 3: select a true-color format when palette presentation is not supported.
Retry guidance. Retry after renegotiating a media type that includes valid palette data.
Difference from nearby HRESULTs
VFW_E_NO_DISPLAY_PALETTE means the display itself does not use a palette, while it means required palette data is absent.
Practical scenario
A custom source copies only the BITMAPINFOHEADER and omits following palette entries; preserving the complete format block resolves it.
Official Microsoft references
Looking for a different code? Search another status or error code.