What does Windows error code 776 (ERROR_REQUEST_OUT_OF_SEQUENCE) mean?

ERROR_REQUEST_OUT_OF_SEQUENCE

the requested operation is invalid in the component’s current state.

ERROR_REQUEST_OUT_OF_SEQUENCE identifies this condition: The component implements a stateful protocol, and the caller invoked a method before a prerequisite step or after the relevant phase had already finished.

Where the result appears

• initialize-bind-execute-fetch style APIs.
• asynchronous components with pending operations.
• transactional providers.
• objects reused after close, cancel, or completion.

What to collect

• object state immediately before the call.
• complete method sequence with timestamps.
• pending asynchronous callback or completion.
• thread identity when the object is not documented as thread-safe.

Handling and recovery

Model the API as an explicit state machine and allow each call only in documented states. Serialize access where required and make cancellation and close paths update state atomically.

Common misinterpretation

Adding a delay may hide but not fix an ordering defect. The reliable solution is to wait for the documented completion signal or correct the call sequence.

References

• Microsoft: System error codes 500–999