Knowledge

RPC_S_UUID_LOCAL_ONLY - 1824 (0x720)

A UUID that is valid only on this computer has been allocated.

Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Technical Meaning

The RPC_S_UUID_LOCAL_ONLY error code indicates that a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) has been allocated, but it is valid only on the local computer. This typically occurs when an operation involving UUIDs fails because the UUID was generated or used in a way that restricts its scope to the local machine.

Error Details

This error code is specific to operations within the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) framework and is related to the handling of UUIDs, which are 128-bit numbers commonly used for unique identification across different systems. The RPC_S_UUID_LOCAL_ONLY error suggests that a UUID was expected to be globally unique but was instead generated in a manner that confines its uniqueness to the local machine.

Common Causes

  • Invalid Parameter Values: An operation involving UUIDs may fail if an invalid or improperly formatted UUID is passed as a parameter. The system expects a universally unique identifier, but receives one that is only valid on the local computer.
  • Incorrect Object Type: The operation might be expecting a globally unique UUID, but a locally scoped UUID was generated instead. This can occur in scenarios where global uniqueness is required for interoperability between different systems or processes.

Real-World Context

This error typically arises in distributed computing environments where components need to communicate with each other using universally unique identifiers. For instance, when a service running on one machine attempts to reference another service by UUID and expects the UUID to be globally unique but encounters a locally scoped UUID instead.

Is This Error Critical?

The criticality of this error depends on the specific operation being performed. If the operation requires global uniqueness for proper functioning, then encountering RPC_S_UUID_LOCAL_ONLY can prevent successful execution. However, in some cases, local UUIDs might be sufficient, and the application could continue to operate without issues.

How to Diagnose

  1. Review Operation Context: Ensure that the operation is correctly configured for global uniqueness if required. Check whether the service or component expects a globally unique identifier.
  2. Validate Parameters: Verify that all UUIDs passed as parameters are indeed globally unique and not restricted to local use only.
  3. Confirm Object Types: Confirm that the object types involved in the operation support global uniqueness, especially when interacting with remote systems.
  4. Verify Input Data: Ensure that input data is correctly formatted and does not contain locally scoped UUIDs where globally unique ones are expected.
  5. Check Limits or Constraints: Review any system limits or constraints related to UUID usage, ensuring they do not inadvertently restrict the scope of generated UUIDs.

How to Resolve

  1. Correct Parameter Usage: Ensure that all parameters passed to operations involving UUIDs are correctly formatted and globally unique. If local UUIDs are acceptable, ensure this is explicitly supported by the system or application.
  2. Adjust Operation Context: Modify the operation context if it requires global uniqueness but currently uses locally scoped UUIDs. This might involve changing configuration settings or modifying code logic to generate or handle UUIDs appropriately.
  3. Restore Data: If corrupted data is causing the issue, restore the correct UUID values from a backup or re-generate them using appropriate methods that ensure global uniqueness.
  4. Retry Operation with Valid Inputs: After addressing any issues identified during diagnosis, retry the operation to see if it resolves the RPC_S_UUID_LOCAL_ONLY error.

Developer Notes

When developing applications that interact with remote systems, always consider the requirement for globally unique identifiers and ensure that UUIDs are generated or used in a way that meets this requirement. This can involve using specific libraries or APIs designed to handle UUID generation and validation across different environments.

Related Errors

  • RPC_S_UUID_INVALID: Indicates an invalid UUID was passed as a parameter.
  • RPC_S_UUID_NO_CHANGE: No change occurred, possibly due to a locally scoped UUID being used where global uniqueness is required.
  • RPC_S_UUID_LOCAL_ONLY: A UUID that is valid only on this computer has been allocated (this error).

FAQ

Q: What does the RPC_S_UUID_LOCAL_ONLY error mean?

A: It indicates that a UUID generated or passed in an operation is valid only on the local machine, whereas global uniqueness was expected.

Q: How can I prevent this error from occurring?

A: Ensure that all UUIDs used in operations are globally unique and not restricted to local use. Validate parameters and confirm object types support global uniqueness requirements.

Q: Is this error critical for my application?

A: The criticality depends on the specific operation. If global uniqueness is required, then encountering this error can prevent successful execution. However, if locally scoped UUIDs are acceptable, the application might continue to operate without issues.

Summary

The RPC_S_UUID_LOCAL_ONLY error code indicates that a UUID generated or passed in an operation is valid only on the local machine, whereas global uniqueness was expected. This can occur due to invalid parameter values, incorrect object types, or improperly formatted input data. Diagnosing and resolving this issue involves reviewing operation context, validating parameters, confirming object types, verifying input data, and checking system limits. Proper handling of UUIDs is crucial for ensuring the successful execution of operations in distributed computing environments.