ERROR_VHD_SPARSE_HEADER_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH 0xC03A0006

Hex 0xC03A0006 · Decimal -1069940730 · Type NTSTATUS

WINDOWS

The virtual hard disk is corrupted. The sparse header checksum does not match the on-disk checksum.

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_VHD_SPARSE_HEADER_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH is a Windows error code (NTSTATUS 0xC03A0006) reported by Windows. Its official message is: “The virtual hard disk is corrupted. The sparse header checksum does not match the on-disk checksum.”

How to fix ERROR_VHD_SPARSE_HEADER_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH

  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_VHD_SPARSE_HEADER_UNSUPPORTED_VERSIONERROR_VHD_SPARSE_HEADER_CORRUPTERROR_VHD_FORMAT_UNSUPPORTED_VERSIONERROR_VHD_FORMAT_UNKNOWNSTATUS_VHD_SPARSE_HEADER_CHECKSUM_MISMATCHSTATUS_VHD_FORMAT_UNSUPPORTED_VERSIONSTATUS_VHD_SPARSE_HEADER_UNSUPPORTED_VERSION

Source: Microsoft WinError.h

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