ERROR_INVALID_TARGET_HANDLE 0x80070072

Error code 114 · HRESULT 0x80070072

WINDOWS

The target internal file identifier is incorrect.

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_INVALID_TARGET_HANDLE is a Windows error code (system error 114, returned as HRESULT 0x80070072) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “The target internal file identifier is incorrect.”

How to fix ERROR_INVALID_TARGET_HANDLE

  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_DISK_FULLERROR_SEM_TIMEOUTERROR_NO_MORE_SEARCH_HANDLESSTATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_FORMATSTATUS_STACK_OVERFLOWSTATUS_DLL_NOT_FOUNDSTATUS_ENTRYPOINT_NOT_FOUNDSTATUS_DLL_INIT_FAILED

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

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