ERROR_DS_SORT_CONTROL_MISSING 0x80072045

Error code 8261 · HRESULT 0x80072045

WINDOWS

The search requires a SORT control.

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_SORT_CONTROL_MISSING is a Windows error code (system error 8261, returned as HRESULT 0x80072045) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “The search requires a SORT control.”

How to fix ERROR_DS_SORT_CONTROL_MISSING

  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_OFFSET_RANGE_ERRORERROR_DS_REFERRAL_LIMIT_EXCEEDEDERROR_DS_CLIENT_LOOPERROR_DS_RIDMGR_DISABLEDERROR_DS_CONTROL_NOT_FOUNDERROR_DS_NO_RESULTS_RETURNEDERROR_DS_NOT_SUPPORTED

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

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