WSA_QOS_ESERVICETYPE - 11016 (0x2B08)

An invalid or unrecognized service type was found in the flowspec.

Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Technical Background

The Windows Sockets API (WSA) includes a set of error codes to indicate various issues encountered during network operations. The WSA_QOS_ESERVICETYPE error code is specific to Quality of Service (QoS) configurations and indicates that an invalid or unrecognized service type was found in the flowspec.

Error Details

The numeric value for this error is 11016, which translates to hexadecimal as 0x2B08. This error typically arises when a QoS configuration contains a service type that is not recognized by the system. Flowspec is used to define Quality of Service policies and can include various types of service definitions.

Common Causes

This error may occur due to one or more of the following reasons:

  • An incorrect or unsupported service type was specified in the flowspec configuration.
  • The QoS policy contains a service type that has been deprecated or removed from the system.
  • There is a misconfiguration in the network stack or application layer handling QoS policies.

Real-World Context

In practical scenarios, this error might be encountered when setting up advanced networking configurations where specific QoS policies are required. For example, if an application attempts to set up a QoS policy with a service type that is not supported by the current version of Windows or the network stack, this error will be returned.

Is This Error Critical?

The criticality of this error depends on the context in which it occurs. If the application relies heavily on specific QoS policies for its operation, then encountering this error could prevent the application from functioning as intended. However, if the application can operate without these specific QoS settings, the impact may be minimal.

How to Diagnose

To diagnose and resolve WSA_QOS_ESERVICETYPE, follow these steps:

  1. Review Operation Context: Ensure that the operation context is correct and that all necessary parameters are provided.
  2. Validate Parameters: Check the service type specified in the flowspec against the supported types documented by Microsoft or relevant standards.
  3. Confirm Object Types: Verify that the object types used in the QoS configuration match the expected types for the specific operation.
  4. Verify Input Data: Ensure that all input data, including service types, are valid and correctly formatted.
  5. Check Limits or Constraints: Confirm that the system limits have not been exceeded, such as maximum number of flowspec entries allowed.

How to Resolve

To resolve this error, consider the following actions:

  • Correct any invalid service type specifications in the QoS configuration.
  • Update the application or network stack if deprecated or unsupported types are being used.
  • Review and adjust the QoS policy settings to ensure they align with current system capabilities.

Developer Notes

Developers should consult the official Microsoft documentation for supported QoS service types and ensure that their applications handle all possible error conditions gracefully. Additionally, testing in a controlled environment can help identify and resolve issues before deployment.

Related Errors

  • WSA_QOS_EFLOWDESC: Indicates an invalid or unrecognized flow descriptor was found.
  • WSA_QOS_ESUBFLOW: Indicates an invalid or unsupported subflow type was specified.
  • WSA_QOS_EPOLICY: Indicates a policy-related error in the QoS configuration.

FAQ

What does WSA_QOS_ESERVICETYPE mean?

WSA_QOS_ESERVICETYPE indicates that an invalid or unrecognized service type was found in the flowspec, which is part of the Quality of Service (QoS) configuration.

How can I prevent this error from occurring?

Ensure that all QoS configurations are correctly specified and that they align with the supported types documented by Microsoft. Regularly update your application to support any changes or deprecations in the system's QoS capabilities.

Can this error be ignored if my application does not rely on QoS policies?

If your application can operate without specific QoS settings, then encountering this error may have minimal impact. However, it is advisable to address the issue to ensure compatibility with future updates or changes in the system's networking stack.

Summary

WSA_QOS_ESERVICETYPE is a specific error code that indicates an invalid or unrecognized service type was found in the flowspec configuration. This error can be diagnosed by reviewing the QoS policy settings and ensuring they are correctly specified. Proper handling of this error requires understanding the supported QoS types and maintaining up-to-date configurations to avoid issues.