ERROR_ILLEGAL_CHARACTER - 582 (0x246)
An illegal character was encountered. For a multi-byte character set this includes a lead byte without a succeeding trail byte. For the Unicode character set this includes the characters 0xFFFF and 0xFFFE.
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
Technical Meaning
The ERROR_ILLEGAL_CHARACTER error indicates that an illegal character was encountered during a specific operation. This can occur in various contexts, such as file names, directory paths, or other string-based operations.
Error Details
This error is typically associated with the following scenarios:
- Multi-byte Character Sets: An illegal lead byte without a corresponding trail byte has been detected.
- Unicode Character Set: The characters
0xFFFFand0xFFFEare not valid and have caused this error.
Usage Context
This error can be encountered in various operations, such as:
- File or directory name validation
- Path parsing
- String manipulation functions
Developer Interpretation
When encountering the ERROR_ILLEGAL_CHARACTER, developers should ensure that all input strings are properly formatted and validated. This includes checking for valid characters within multi-byte character sets and ensuring compliance with Unicode standards.
Related Errors
- ERROR_PATH_NOT_FOUND: The specified path does not exist or is invalid.
- ERROR_INVALID_NAME: The file name, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.
- ERROR_BAD_NETPATH: The network path was not found.
FAQ
Q: What causes the ERROR_ILLEGAL_CHARACTER?
A: This error occurs when an illegal character is encountered in a string-based operation. Common causes include invalid characters within multi-byte or Unicode sets.
Q: How can I prevent this error?
A: Ensure that all input strings are validated and conform to the expected character set standards before performing operations.
Summary
The ERROR_ILLEGAL_CHARACTER is a specific error indicating an illegal character encountered during string-based operations. Developers should validate inputs and ensure compliance with character set standards to avoid this error.