ERROR_CANTREAD 0x800703F4

Error code 1012 · HRESULT 0x800703F4

WINDOWS

The configuration registry key could not be read.

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_CANTREAD is a Windows error code (system error 1012, returned as HRESULT 0x800703F4) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “The configuration registry key could not be read.”

How to fix ERROR_CANTREAD

  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_CANTOPENERROR_CANTWRITEERROR_BADKEYERROR_DIR_NOT_EMPTYERROR_BAD_EXE_FORMATERROR_FILENAME_EXCED_RANGEERROR_ELEVATION_REQUIREDERROR_UNRECOGNIZED_VOLUME

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

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