Editorial policy

This page explains how the information on Error Decoder is gathered, written, checked and corrected. If you rely on a page to fix a problem, you deserve to know where it came from.

Our principles

  • Accuracy before volume. We would rather publish fewer pages that are right than many that are vague.
  • Primary sources first. Definitions come from the vendor or standards body that created the code whenever such a source exists.
  • Safest step first. Fix steps are ordered from the quickest and least risky to the most invasive.
  • Transparency. We tell you when a page is a hand-written guide and when it is an automatically assembled reference entry.
  • Independence. Advertising never decides what we write, which fixes we recommend or which products we mention. We do not accept payment for coverage.

Sourcing

Each error code, its numeric value and its official short message are taken from a public source:

  • Microsoft Windows SDK headers (winerror.h, ntstatus.h) and Microsoft's published documentation for Windows codes.
  • The Chromium source code (net_error_list.h) for Chrome and Edge network errors.
  • The IANA HTTP Status Code Registry and the relevant RFCs for HTTP status codes.
  • The Linux kernel headers for errno values.
  • Open community datasets for Steam (SteamKit), Xbox and OBD-II codes. These are not official vendor documentation, and we treat them with extra caution.

The full list with links is on the About page. The dataset is rebuilt from these sources by a script, so definitions stay in step with the upstream files rather than being copied by hand.

When we explain causes or fixes, we rely on vendor documentation, vendor support articles, release notes and well-established troubleshooting practice. We do not copy text from other troubleshooting websites.

Two kinds of pages

Hand-written guides

For the errors people search for most, a person writes the plain-English summary, the list of likely causes, the ordered fix steps and the FAQ. While writing, we:

  • check the code and its meaning against the primary source;
  • confirm that each fix step applies to the products and versions listed on the page;
  • remove steps that are outdated, risky without good reason, or that only work in rare cases;
  • add warnings where a step could cause data loss or make a device unbootable;
  • record the date of the last review, shown on the page as "Updated".

Reference entries and automation

The databases we draw on contain thousands of codes, many of which are rarely seen. Writing a full guide for each would take years, but the official definition is still useful to someone who has just met one of them. For these codes:

  • the code, value and official description come directly from the structured source data;
  • the general troubleshooting steps are chosen automatically by rules that look at the type of error (for example access denied, file not found, disk full, network timeout or driver problem) and attach the matching set of standard checks;
  • no generative AI is used to invent definitions, causes or error-specific claims on these pages.

We are open about this because it matters for how much weight you give a page. A reference entry tells you what the code officially means and gives sensible generic checks. It is not a researched, error-specific guide. Most reference entries are marked noindex so that search engines do not present them as full articles. When a code turns out to be commonly searched, we write a proper guide for it and replace the automatic steps.

We may use software tools, including AI-based writing or research assistants, to help draft or check hand-written guides. When we do, a person verifies every factual statement against a source and is responsible for the published text.

Update cadence

  • The source dataset is refreshed periodically from the upstream files, and whenever a major new release (for example a new Windows SDK or Chromium version) adds or changes codes.
  • Hand-written guides are reviewed when we receive a correction, when a vendor changes the behaviour behind an error, and as part of a regular review of the most visited pages.
  • Each guide shows the date it was last meaningfully updated. We do not change dates without changing content.

Corrections

Mistakes happen. If you find one, email contact@errordecoder.online with the page address and what is wrong. We will:

  1. check the report against the primary source;
  2. fix factual errors as quickly as we can, usually within a few days;
  3. update the page's "Updated" date when the change is substantive.

If a fix step turns out to be harmful or misleading, we remove it immediately, before anything else on the page is revised.

Safety

Some troubleshooting steps can make things worse if they are done wrong. Our guides follow these rules:

  • Back up first. Any step that can affect your files is preceded by a reminder to back up.
  • Windows Registry. Registry edits are offered only when there is no simpler option, with exact keys and a reminder to export the key first. A mistaken registry edit can stop Windows from starting.
  • BIOS/UEFI and firmware. Firmware updates and BIOS changes should only be done using the manufacturer's own tools and instructions. An interrupted update can permanently damage a device.
  • Security software. If a step involves turning off antivirus or a firewall, we say so explicitly and tell you to turn it back on afterwards.
  • Vehicles. OBD-II pages explain what a code generally indicates. They are not a diagnosis of your car. Brakes, airbags, steering, fuel systems and anything affecting safety on the road should be inspected by a qualified mechanic.
  • Data recovery. If the data on a failing drive matters, stop using the drive and consult a professional recovery service before running repair tools.

When in doubt, contact the manufacturer's official support or a qualified professional.

Advertising and independence

Error Decoder may show ads served by Google AdSense. Ads are clearly labelled "Advertisement", kept visually separate from the instructions, and never placed so that they could be mistaken for a download button or a fix step. We do not write sponsored content, and no advertiser can request changes to a page.

Contact

Questions about this policy: contact@errordecoder.online.

Last updated: November 4, 2026