ERROR_BAD_IMPERSONATION_LEVEL 0x80070542

Error code 1346 · HRESULT 0x80070542

WINDOWS

Either a required impersonation level was not provided, or the provided impersonation level is invalid.

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_IMPERSONATION_LEVEL is a Windows error code (system error 1346, returned as HRESULT 0x80070542) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “Either a required impersonation level was not provided, or the provided impersonation level is invalid.”

How to fix ERROR_BAD_IMPERSONATION_LEVEL

  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_INVALID_GROUP_ATTRIBUTESERROR_CANT_OPEN_ANONYMOUSERROR_ALLOTTED_SPACE_EXCEEDEDERROR_LOGON_FAILUREERROR_FILE_CORRUPTERROR_DISK_CORRUPTERROR_TIMEOUTERROR_INSTALL_FAILURE

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

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