What does Windows error code 700 (ERROR_IMAGE_NOT_AT_BASE) mean?

ERROR_IMAGE_NOT_AT_BASE

What ERROR_IMAGE_NOT_AT_BASE means

An executable image could not be mapped at its preferred base address and required relocation. In practical terms, this status belongs to PE image loading and relocation: the loader places a DLL or executable image at a different virtual address because the preferred range is unavailable.

Typical causes

• Another mapping occupies the preferred address
• Address-space layout randomization intentionally relocates the image
• The image layout or rebasing assumptions are obsolete

How to investigate

1. Record the module path, preferred image base, actual base, and architecture
2. Verify that the image contains valid relocation data
3. Check for code that incorrectly assumes fixed module addresses

Developer guidance

Relocation is normally handled by the Windows loader and is not a failure by itself. It becomes actionable when the image lacks relocations or software stores absolute addresses incorrectly.

References

• Microsoft: System error codes 500–999