ERROR_WRITE_FAULT - 29 (0x1D)
The system cannot write to the specified device.
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
Technical Meaning
ERROR_WRITE_FAULT is a generic error code indicating that the system encountered an issue while attempting to write data to a specified device. This error suggests that there was a failure in the write operation, which could be due to various underlying issues such as invalid parameters, hardware limitations, or corruption.
Error Details
The numeric value of this error is 29 (0x1D) and it typically indicates that the system attempted to perform a write operation but failed. This can occur in scenarios where the device is not capable of accepting writes at the moment, the data being written is corrupted, or there are issues with the parameters passed to the write function.
Usage Context
This error code can be encountered in various contexts within Windows applications and system operations. It is commonly returned by functions that perform write operations on files, directories, or other types of devices such as network drives or removable storage media.
Developer Interpretation
When encountering ERROR_WRITE_FAULT, developers should consider the following aspects:
- Parameter Validation: Ensure that all parameters passed to the write function are valid and correctly formatted. Invalid parameters can lead to write failures.
- Device State: Verify that the target device is in a state where it can accept writes. Devices may be temporarily unavailable due to hardware issues or system constraints.
- Data Integrity: Check for any corruption in the data being written. Corrupted data can cause write operations to fail, even if all parameters are correct.
Related Errors
ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED(5)ERROR_INVALID_PARAMETER(87)ERROR_WRITE_PROTECT(299)ERROR_DISK_FULL(28)
FAQ
Q: What does ERROR_WRITE_FAULT mean?
A: It indicates that the system failed to write data to a specified device.
Q: How can I troubleshoot this error?
A: Review the parameters passed to the write function, ensure the target device is available and not write-protected, and verify the integrity of the data being written.
Summary
ERROR_WRITE_FAULT (29) is a generic error code indicating that a write operation failed. Developers should focus on validating input parameters, ensuring the target device state, and checking for data corruption to resolve this issue.