What does HRESULT 0xC00E005C (MQ_ERROR_ILLEGAL_SORT_PROPID) mean?

MQ_ERROR_ILLEGAL_SORT_PROPID

Operational meaning

When MQ_ERROR_ILLEGAL_SORT_PROPID appears, start with the queue operation and its property arrays rather than with a broad repair of the Message Queuing service. It applies to sort property is not eligible. The requested column cannot be used as an AD DS sort key even if it can be returned or filtered.

MQLocateBegin searches public queues registered in the directory; it does not enumerate arbitrary private queues. When diagnosing this result, its restriction, projection, and sort structures are translated into a directory-backed query.

The locator observes a directory snapshot beginning when MQLocateBegin is called. Newly replicated objects and properties unsupported as columns or sort keys can produce results that differ from direct queue access.

Where the condition occurs

Separate a malformed query structure from an AD DS availability error. Repeating the same invalid MQSORTSET or MQRESTRICTION against another domain controller will not repair it. The code-specific boundary is sort property is not eligible.

Evidence to preserve

• The ad ds mode and domain identity of the caller.
• The exact property used for filtering, projection, or ordering.
• Mqrestriction, mqcolumns, and mqsortset as submitted.

Handling and recovery

Sort by a supported property or order results after retrieval.

Nearby failures

A directory query shape error is deterministic. Switching domain controllers cannot make an unsupported column, relation, or sort key valid. Code-specific condition: sort property is not eligible.

Worked example

A migration inventory tool encounters it. It captures the restriction/column/sort structures and validates the query before testing directory availability.

References

• Microsoft Open Specifications: MSMQ and directory services
• IETF RFC 4511: LDAP protocol
• Microsoft: Message Queuing error and information codes
• Microsoft: MQLocateBegin