ERROR_SEEK_ON_DEVICE - 132 (0x84)
The file pointer cannot be set on the specified device or file.
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
Technical Meaning
The ERROR_SEEK_ON_DEVICE error code indicates that an attempt to set the file pointer on a specified device or file has failed. This typically occurs when the operation is not supported by the underlying storage mechanism.
Error Details
This error can arise in various scenarios, such as attempting to seek beyond the end of a file, seeking on a device that does not support random access, or encountering an unsupported operation within the file system.
Usage Context
The ERROR_SEEK_ON_DEVICE is commonly encountered when performing file operations that involve setting the current position (file pointer) in a non-supported manner. This can include operations like seeking to a specific byte offset on certain types of storage devices, such as tapes or networked files where random access is not feasible.
Developer Interpretation
When this error code is returned, it signifies that the operation attempted was not supported by the file system or device in question. Developers should ensure that their operations are compatible with the underlying storage mechanism and that they handle cases where such operations might fail gracefully.
Related Errors
ERROR_NOT_SUPPORTED(0x00000080)ERROR_HANDLE_EOF(0x0000021C)ERROR_HANDLE_DISK_FULL(0x00000249)
FAQ
Q: What does the ERROR_SEEK_ON_DEVICE error mean?
A: It indicates that an attempt to set the file pointer on a specified device or file has failed due to unsupported operations.
Q: How can I handle this error in my application?
A: Ensure your code checks for supported operations and handles errors gracefully, providing appropriate feedback to users or logging the issue for further investigation.
Summary
The ERROR_SEEK_ON_DEVICE is a generic error indicating that an operation was not supported by the file system or device. Developers should be aware of this limitation when designing applications that interact with files and devices.