ERROR_BAD_DLL_ENTRYPOINT 0x80070261

Error code 609 · HRESULT 0x80070261

WINDOWS

The dynamic link library … is not written correctly. The stack pointer has been left in an inconsistent state. The entrypoint should be declared as WINAPI or STDCALL. Select YES to fail the DLL load. Select NO to continue execution. Selecting NO may cause the application to operate incorrectly.

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_DLL_ENTRYPOINT is a Windows error code (system error 609, returned as HRESULT 0x80070261) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “{Invalid DLL Entrypoint} The dynamic link library %hs is not written correctly. The stack pointer has been left in an inconsistent state. The entrypoint should be declared as WINAPI or STDCALL. Select YES to fail the DLL load. Select NO to continue execution. Selecting NO may cause the application to operate incorrectly.”

How to fix ERROR_BAD_DLL_ENTRYPOINT

  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_INSUFFICIENT_LOGON_INFOERROR_BAD_SERVICE_ENTRYPOINTERROR_TIMER_RESOLUTION_NOT_SET0xC19001010xC19002080xC19002000xC1900223STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

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