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ERROR_GRAPHICS_NOT_POST_DEVICE_DRIVER
Why this is not a generic GPU failure: graphics not post device driver
Windows reports ERROR_GRAPHICS_NOT_POST_DEVICE_DRIVER (0xC0262438) at the linked checkpoint. Here, the starting driver does not correspond to the adapter used for firmware POST display. That narrows the first investigation to boot-display driver continuity instead of the entire GPU stack.
Linked-adapter failures are ordered PnP and power problems. Restarting only the lead member can make the state less consistent and hide the first failing chain device.
The smallest evidence set
| Capture item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What to capture | POST adapter identity, PCI location, loaded driver, boot display flags and adapter LUID |
| Current graph state | lead adapter, chain members and their PnP/power transitions |
| Supporting trace | device-instance IDs, lead/chain role, PnP problem codes, Dx states and start/power IRP ordering |
| Object identity | boot-display driver continuity |
| Rejected condition | the starting driver does not correspond to the adapter used for firmware POST display |
A/B test for the exact condition
- Capture the failing state. Record POST adapter identity, PCI location, loaded driver, boot display flags and adapter LUID.
- Compare a normal boot with a configuration that changes the boot adapter or driver binding.
The comparison with ERROR_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_MISMATCH is especially useful: ERROR_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_MISMATCH concerns user/kernel graphics driver version compatibility.
Safe remediation
Bind the correct display miniport to the POSTed adapter or allow the system to transition through supported handoff logic.
- debug-layer, ETW or driver diagnostics no longer report the rejected boot-display driver continuity contract during the same scenario.
Implementation notes
Log device-instance IDs, lead/chain role, PnP problem codes, Dx states and start/power IRP ordering.
Technical references
- Microsoft: DirectX graphics kernel subsystem — background for the boot-display driver continuity.
- Microsoft: WDDM architecture
- Microsoft: Display miniport driver requirements
- Microsoft: Graphics error codes
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