What does NTSTATUS 0xC00002D2 (STATUS_PNP_REBOOT_REQUIRED) mean?

Status / error code:		Category:

Constant name:
Source:		Operating System:
Description: A Plug and Play change was accepted, but a restart is required before the device can enter the requested state.

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STATUS_SYSTEM_IMAGE_BAD_SIGNATURE	STATUS_POWER_STATE_INVALID

STATUS_PNP_REBOOT_REQUIRED

The Plug and Play operation requires a restart to complete

STATUS_PNP_REBOOT_REQUIRED is a lifecycle result, not evidence that the newly installed driver is corrupt. Plug and Play reached a change that cannot be activated safely in the current boot, so the requested device state must be completed after restart.

What to record

Identify the device instance, driver package, installation or update operation, and the PnP request that returned the status.
Preserve SetupAPI/PnP events showing whether an older driver or device stack remained in use, a pending replacement exists, or another component requested the reboot.
Distinguish this result from a device-start failure after reboot. A later Problem Code or driver load status is a separate condition.

Correct handling

Finish the current installation transaction, report the restart requirement to the caller, and reboot through the supported system lifecycle when policy permits. Installers should not repeatedly unload devices or rewrite driver state merely to avoid the restart.

After reboot, verify the expected driver version, device state, and absence of a new PnP error. If the device still cannot start, diagnose that post-reboot result rather than continuing to label it STATUS_PNP_REBOOT_REQUIRED.

Official references

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