What does HRESULT 0xC0380031 (ERROR_VOLMGR_PACK_INVALID) mean?

ERROR_VOLMGR_PACK_INVALID

What this result says about the disk model: volmgr pack invalid

The practical meaning of ERROR_VOLMGR_PACK_INVALID (0xC0380031) is tied to dynamic-disk pack identity, quorum and replicated configuration log: the disk group exists as an object but its configuration is marked invalid and is not eligible for the requested transaction. The result does not, by itself, prove file-system corruption or physical-media failure.

Capture the exact object instance

Prove the condition in a test volume

1. Create a nonproduction case that preserves the same geometry and ownership model.
2. Collect pack GUID and name, online state, primary flag, disk inventory, configuration-log sequence numbers, quorum view and failing transaction ID before invoking the first mutating API.
3. Change one condition only: serialize the exact VM_VOLUME_LAYOUT buffer, validate every count and Size field, and compare it with a layout produced by a known-good management API.
4. Re-enumerate after the transition and confirm this result is not reproduced by a stale handle from the old generation.

ERROR_VOLMGR_PACK_ID_INVALID describes a nearby but different storage condition; this result indicates that the disk group exists as an object but its configuration is marked invalid and is not eligible for the requested transaction.

Mechanism-specific note

Keep the exact storage identity and state transition associated with this HRESULT. A successful rescan does not prove the original operation was valid, because it may have replaced the object instance that failed.

Safe recovery path

Repair the pack configuration through supported dynamic-disk management, preserving GUIDs and the newest valid log sequence; avoid sector-level edits to replicated metadata. Apply the change through the supported storage API, then close and reacquire affected objects before retrying.

• The controlled A/B case changes only the invariant that triggers this result.
• No unrelated disk, cluster owner, tier policy or virtual-disk backing file is altered to hide it.
• Health, synchronization or job state reaches a terminal value consistent with the repaired operation.
• Telemetry includes both symbolic names when it or ERROR_VOLMGR_PACK_ID_INVALID occurs again.

Technical references

• Microsoft: COM error codes for VOLMGR, VHD and SDIAG — use this source to verify volmgr state and parameters.
• Microsoft: Virtual Disk Service object model — documents the supported management path relevant to this HRESULT.
• Microsoft: Pack object — defines the volmgr objects used to interpret it.
• Microsoft: Virtual Disk Service common return codes — primary API or object-model reference.