ERROR_BAD_PATHNAME 0x800700A1

Error code 161 · HRESULT 0x800700A1

WINDOWS

The specified path 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_PATHNAME is a Windows error code (system error 161, returned as HRESULT 0x800700A1) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “The specified path is invalid.”

How to fix ERROR_BAD_PATHNAME

  1. Verify the path/file actually exists and is not blocked by antivirus quarantine
  2. Reinstall the application that raised the error to restore missing files
  3. Check the full path spelling (long paths >260 chars need a registry opt-in)

Related errors

ERROR_BAD_ARGUMENTSERROR_SIGNAL_PENDINGERROR_BAD_THREADID_ADDRWU_E_UH_INSTALLERFAILUREWU_E_DM_NOTDOWNLOADEDWU_E_SERVICE_STOPSL_E_INVALID_PRODUCT_KEY0xC004F074

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

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