ERROR_BAD_DESCRIPTOR_FORMAT 0x80070551

Error code 1361 · HRESULT 0x80070551

WINDOWS

A security descriptor is not in the right format (absolute or self-relative).

Windows troubleshooting diagram: Device Manager warning and a system file scan
Windows errors: check drivers, system files and Event Viewer, in that order.

What it means

ERROR_BAD_DESCRIPTOR_FORMAT is a Windows error code (system error 1361, returned as HRESULT 0x80070551) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “A security descriptor is not in the right format (absolute or self-relative).”

How to fix ERROR_BAD_DESCRIPTOR_FORMAT

  1. Reboot once — many one-off system codes disappear with a clean restart
  2. Repair system files: 'sfc /scannow' then 'DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth'
  3. Find the source in Event Viewer → System: filter for this exact code and open its provider link

Related errors

ERROR_GENERIC_NOT_MAPPEDERROR_NOT_LOGON_PROCESSERROR_INTERNAL_ERROR0xC004C0080xC004F2130x803F70010xC19001010xC1900208

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

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