What does Windows error code 1285 (ERROR_DELAY_LOAD_FAILED) mean?

ERROR_DELAY_LOAD_FAILED

A delayed import could not be satisfied

ERROR_DELAY_LOAD_FAILED (1285) means the delay-load path reached the point where a DLL or imported procedure was needed, but the helper could not load the library or resolve the required function. The executable can start successfully before this happens because the dependency is intentionally resolved only when first used.

Evidence to capture

• Record the delay-loaded DLL name, requested procedure, calling module, process architecture, search path, and the underlying loader error if the helper exposes one.
• Verify that the selected DLL is the intended version and architecture and that all of its own dependencies are loadable.
• If the DLL loads but the procedure is absent, compare the consumer's import expectation with the exports of the installed provider version.

Recovery

Deploy a compatible dependency set or correct the application's delay-load configuration. Do not copy a same-named DLL from another machine or globally change the DLL search path without identifying which library or export actually failed.

Retest the exact feature that first triggers the delayed import; launching the application alone is not sufficient verification because the delay-loaded code path may not run at startup.

Official references

• Microsoft: System Error Codes
• Microsoft: Linker support for delay-loaded DLLs