Knowledge

ERROR_DISK_RESOURCES_EXHAUSTED - 314 (0x13A)

The physical resources of this disk have been exhausted.

Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Technical Background

The ERROR_DISK_RESOURCES_EXHAUSTED error code indicates that the physical resources of a disk have been fully utilized, and no more space is available for storage operations. This can occur due to various reasons such as insufficient free space or reaching hardware limitations.

Error Details

  • Error Name: ERROR_DISK_RESOURCES_EXHAUSTED
  • Numeric Code: 314 (0x13A)
  • Short Description: The physical resources of this disk have been exhausted.

This error typically occurs when attempting to write data to a disk that is already at its capacity. It can be triggered by operations such as file creation, directory creation, or any other operation that requires additional storage space on the disk.

Common Causes

  • Insufficient free space on the disk.
  • Reaching hardware limitations imposed by the physical characteristics of the disk.
  • Incorrect usage context where the operation is attempted without sufficient available resources.

Real-World Context

This error can occur in various scenarios, such as when a user attempts to save large files or when an application tries to write data to a nearly full disk. It is important to monitor disk space and ensure that there are adequate free resources before performing operations that require additional storage.

Is This Error Critical?

Yes, this error can be critical if it prevents necessary operations from completing successfully. It may lead to data loss or corruption if the operation cannot complete due to lack of available space.

How to Diagnose

To diagnose this issue, follow these steps:

  1. Review Operation Context: Ensure that the disk has sufficient free space before performing any write operations.
  2. Validate Parameters: Verify that all parameters used in the operation are correct and appropriate for the intended action.
  3. Confirm Object Types: Ensure that the object types being manipulated (files, directories) are compatible with the expected storage requirements.
  4. Verify Input Data: Check if the input data is within acceptable limits to avoid exceeding disk capacity.
  5. Check Limits or Constraints: Confirm that the operation does not exceed any hardware-imposed limitations on the disk's capacity.

How to Resolve

To resolve this issue, take these actions:

  1. Correct Parameter Usage: Ensure all parameters are correctly set and do not exceed available resources.
  2. Adjust Operation Context: If possible, perform operations during times of lower disk usage or free up space by deleting unnecessary files.
  3. Restore Data: If data corruption is suspected due to the error, consider restoring from backups if available.
  4. Retry Operation with Valid Inputs: Attempt the operation again after ensuring that all conditions are met for successful execution.

Developer Notes

Developers should implement mechanisms to check disk space before performing write operations and handle this error gracefully by providing appropriate feedback to users or taking corrective actions within the application.

Related Errors

  • ERROR_DISK_FULL (0x7A): Indicates that a disk is completely full, which can be a precursor to ERROR_DISK_RESOURCES_EXHAUSTED if no space is available for new files.
  • ERROR_HANDLE_EOF (0x8D): Occurs when an end-of-file condition is encountered, but this error specifically relates to resource exhaustion rather than file operations.

FAQ

Q: What does the ERROR_DISK_RESOURCES_EXHAUSTED error mean?

A: It indicates that there are no available resources on a disk for storage operations. This can be due to insufficient free space or reaching hardware limitations.

Q: How can I prevent this error from occurring?

A: Regularly monitor disk usage and ensure that there is sufficient free space before performing write operations. Implement checks within your application to handle low-space conditions gracefully.

Q: Can this error be caused by software issues rather than hardware limitations?

A: While the primary cause is often hardware limitations, software issues such as incorrect file system configurations or corrupted data can also contribute to this error.

Summary

The ERROR_DISK_RESOURCES_EXHAUSTED error code indicates that a disk has reached its capacity and cannot accommodate additional storage. Developers should implement checks for available space before performing write operations and handle this error appropriately to ensure the reliability of their applications.