ERROR_DS_INAPPROPRIATE_MATCHING 0x8007202E

Error code 8238 · HRESULT 0x8007202E

WINDOWS

Inappropriate matching.

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_DS_INAPPROPRIATE_MATCHING is a Windows error code (system error 8238, returned as HRESULT 0x8007202E) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “Inappropriate matching.”

How to fix ERROR_DS_INAPPROPRIATE_MATCHING

  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_DS_INAPPROPRIATE_AUTHERROR_DS_CONFIDENTIALITY_REQUIREDERROR_DS_CONSTRAINT_VIOLATIONERROR_DS_NO_SUCH_OBJECTERROR_DS_UNAVAILABLE_CRIT_EXTENSIONERROR_DS_REFERRALERROR_DS_ALIAS_PROBLEM

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

Last updated: