What does HRESULT 0x80040230 (VFW_E_ENUM_OUT_OF_RANGE) mean?

VFW_E_ENUM_OUT_OF_RANGE

Meaning

Windows documents VFW_E_ENUM_OUT_OF_RANGE as “The list has already been exhausted”. In practical terms, it is returned when a DirectShow enumerator has already reached the end of its available list.

Likely causes

• Possible cause 1: caller requests another item after S_FALSE or end-of-sequence.
• Possible cause 2: index-based wrapper advances beyond the snapshot count.
• Possible cause 3: graph mutation invalidates assumptions about enumeration length.

Evidence to collect

• Capture 1: enumerator method results and fetched count.
• Capture 2: requested index and collection snapshot generation.
• Capture 3: graph changes between enumeration calls.

Correct handling and retry

• Corrective action 1: treat end of enumeration as a normal boundary.
• Corrective action 2: reset or create a new enumerator when another pass is intended.
• Corrective action 3: do not assume collection count remains stable during graph edits.

Retry guidance. Retry only after Reset, a new enumerator or a known collection change; looping Next at end is a logic error.

Difference from nearby HRESULTs

VFW_E_NOT_FOUND is a failed named lookup, while it is exhaustion of a sequential enumeration.

Practical scenario

A filter-inspection loop ignores the fetched count and calls Next once more; honoring the end condition prevents it.

Official Microsoft references

• Microsoft: DirectShow error and success codes
• Microsoft: IEnumPins
• Microsoft: DirectShow filters and pins