ErrorVault.com

Error: 0x80070246 - An invalid character was encountered.


How to fix the Windows Error 0x80070246 Error 0x80070246

This article discusses Error 0x80070246, also known as Error 0x80070246 and it means An invalid character was encountered.


About Windows Error

The Windows operating system is used by millions of PC and laptop users today. And it's likely that most of them have at one time experienced some type of Windows error. Crash reports were presented by Microsoft to provide means for collecting and sending post-error debug information or for applying troubleshooting steps depending on whether the user received a syntax, logic or run-time error.

If the user receives a stop code, then brief troubleshooting information are given with the error message. User can then search for that particular error message and apply the fix provided in Microsoft support sites as well as other available online articles and journals for the topic.

At other times, the user only receives a notification that the computer crashed and then proceeds to give them an option to send a crash report back to Microsoft. This is to collect data for analysis so that Microsoft can send back a solution to the user.

Whatever the case may be, here are some general troubleshooting information you can use to resolve Windows Errors.


Definitions (Beta)

Here we list some definitions for the words contained in your error, in an attempt to help you understand your problem. This is a work in progress, so sometimes we might define the word incorrectly, so feel free to skip this section!

  • Character - Refers to a symbol that represents a letter or number

Symptoms of 0x80070246 - Error 0x80070246

Windows Errors can be categorized as syntax error, logic error or run-time error.

When a user receives a Syntax Error, the computer just suddenly pop up an error message that something crashed in the background. Programs accessed by the user may stall or completely crash. The user can still use the other applications, but somehow, a confusing message comes up once in a while to say that the accessed program cannot launch because a process is not working.

Run-time errors happen during the time that an application is running. So, when the error occurs, it simply happens without a warning, and the computer gives a notification that there was an error.

Logic errors are programming related. A bug causes unintended output or behavior. Speaking of computer systems which have passed all testing and commercialized, logic error happen only when there had been significant changes in the physical state of the logic board. Perhaps a portion of the actual buses melted together or a similar situation. This can cause the computer to suddenly give off a loud beep or a grinding noise, and may even go to a sudden unstable operation, freezing up or a sudden change in temperature prior to actual crash.


Fix Error 0x80070246 (Error 0x80070246)
(For illustrative purposes only)



Causes of Error 0x80070246 - 0x80070246

Windows errors may be caused by hardware component malfunction or OS corruption. Some may be even attributed to programming issues that were not resolved because errors were not addressed during design stage. Sometimes, Windows errors can occur due to changes made to the computer.


Repair Methods

Different Windows Error categories have different troubleshooting steps. However, there are generic steps that can be applied when faced with these errors. Here they are.

If a repair method works for you, please click the upvote button to the left of the answer, this will let other users know which repair method is currently working the best.

Please note: Neither ErrorVault.com nor it's writers claim responsibility for the results of the actions taken from employing any of the repair methods listed on this page - you complete these steps at your own risk.

up vote 1 down vote accepted
When a good computer suddenly operates in a weird manner, Windows Updates may have been the culprit. To repair this, users may run System Restore if there is a restore date save prior to the error. Here is how it is done.
Restore In Windows 7:
  • Click Start and type System Restore on the search box, then click enter key.
  • When the System Restore window appears, click Next until you get to the window where you can choose a restore point. You will see a list of restore dates with the description.
  • Then click Next again and confirm restore process. Wait for it to stop processing and you get a window where you can click the Finish button. Close the window and let your computer reboot.
You may also restore your computer using the OS installation disk.
  • To do that boot to OS CD or Recovery Media.
  • Follow the prompt until you get to the screen where it gives you the option Repair My Computer, click and choose System Restore from the list of recovery tools.
  • You can choose any restore point on the System Restore window, but make sure you restore to a date which you know your computer is working fine.
  • Wait till the process finish and let your computer reboot to the Desktop.
You may also boot to Safe Mode.
  • Boot your computer and click F8. Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt by clicking the keyboard arrows to move the highlight down to that item.
  • Once in Safe Mode, Type rstrui.exe and hit enter on command prompt. Follow the restore wizard and reboot your computer normally.
Restore in Windows 8:
Restore inside Windows environment
  • While in Windows 8, Click the search icon and type System Restore.
  • Keep clicking Next till you get to the window where you can select the restore date.
  • Confirm restoration by following the remaining steps. After it is done, reboot your computer normally.
Restore at Boot
  • Reboot your computer and tap F11 to start System Recovery
  • You will see Advanced Options screen, and you will find System Restore in it.
  • It will prompt you to choose the Administrator account, just choose and log into your admin account.
  • Hit Next button until you get to the screen that allows you to choose restore dates.
  • Keep pressing next button until you get to the end of the restore process and you see the Finish button.
  • Reboot computer normally.
Restore in Windows 10:
Inside windows environment
  • Run System Restore by typing it on the Search box. Click on the item that will come up on the search results.
  • When System Restore window opens, click Next until you are given a list to choose restore date, choose the one that you know works best for you.
  • Confirm the process by Next, then yes then finally Finish. Reboot your computer after closing the window.
Using the installation media
  • If you cannot boot into windows, then you're better off downloading the Media Creator file from Microsoft. Create boot disk using a DVD or a flash disk.
  • Once done, reboot your computer and access your BIOS to change boot device to either your DVD or your flash disk.
  • When you get to the installation screen, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore and perform the process the same way.
Windows may sometimes run improperly because of a wrong setting, that of the time settings. To fix the time and the date:
On Windows 7
  • Click Start, then Control Panel.
  • Click Date and Time.
  • While on Date and Time window, click Change time zone to choose the correct time zone.
  • Click Apply and OK.
On Windows 8
  • Open Settings by moving your mouse to the right side, when the tab opens click the gear icon.
  • It will open a new pop up tab for Settings, click Control Panel.
  • In Control Panel, click Clock, Language and Region. Then Click Set the time and date under Date and Time.
  • When Date and Time window opens, click Change date and time and proceed to clicking the right date and time on the next window. To apply, simply click OK.
On Windows 10
  • Simply right click on the date and time on your system tray, located at the right bottom part of the screen.
  • Click Adjust date and time. It will open Date & time settings.
  • You can select the time zone, then close the window. This will automatically update the time and date on the system tray.
  • Run System File Checker
    • To run the command, open elevated Command prompt by typing it on the search window, then right clicking Command Prompt and choosing run as administrator
    • Type sfc /scannow on the prompt and wait until verification process is successfully completed
  • Run Checkdisk - Chkdsk repairs many inconsistencies with the OS. System errors may also be repaired using this utility. To run it,
    • Open Command Prompt by typing it on the search box, then when you see the result on the list overhead, right click on it and choose, Run as Administrator
    • Your system might say you cannot run it at the moment because you are still processing data, and will ask you if you want to run it before the next startup, just click y for yes and then exit the screen and reboot the computer
    • Once the computer reboots, you will see checkdisk running outside of Windows, just let it finish till it gives you a report of what was found, fixed or marked
    • Exit the window and the let your computer reboot normally.
Other languages:

Wie beheben 0x80070246 (Fehler 0x80070246) - Es wurde ein ungültiges Zeichen gefunden.
Come fissare 0x80070246 (Errore 0x80070246) - È stato rilevato un carattere non valido.
Hoe maak je 0x80070246 (Fout 0x80070246) - Er is een ongeldig teken aangetroffen.
Comment réparer 0x80070246 (Erreur 0x80070246) - Un caractère invalide a été rencontré.
어떻게 고치는 지 0x80070246 (오류 0x80070246) - 잘못된 문자가 발견되었습니다.
Como corrigir o 0x80070246 (Erro 0x80070246) - Um caractere inválido foi encontrado.
Hur man åtgärdar 0x80070246 (Fel 0x80070246) - Ett ogiltigt tecken påträffades.
Как исправить 0x80070246 (Ошибка 0x80070246) - Обнаружен недопустимый символ.
Jak naprawić 0x80070246 (Błąd 0x80070246) - Napotkano nieprawidłowy znak.
Cómo arreglar 0x80070246 (Error 0x80070246) - Se encontró un carácter no válido.




The Author About The Author: Phil Hart has been a Microsoft Community Contributor since 2010. With a current point score over 100,000, they've contributed more than 3000 answers in the Microsoft Support forums and have created almost 200 new help articles in the Technet Wiki.


Follow Us: Facebook Youtube Twitter
Last Updated:
22/07/24 12:39 : A Windows 10 user voted that repair method 1 worked for them.

Recommended Repair Tool:


This repair tool can fix common computer problems such as blue screens, crashes and freezes, missing DLL files, as well as repair malware/virus damage and more by replacing damaged and missing system files.

STEP 1:
Click Here to Download and install the Windows repair tool.

STEP 2:
Click on Start Scan and let it analyze your device.

STEP 3:
Click on Repair All to fix all of the issues it detected.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Compatibility

Requirements
1 Ghz CPU, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB HDD
This download offers unlimited scans of your Windows PC for free. Full system repairs start at $19.95.

Article ID: ACX014289EN

Applies To: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000

Help someone else with this error and Share This Page:
Email Facebook Google LinkedIn Print Twitter

Speed Up Tip #23

Troubleshooting Windows Hanging On Shutdown:

If your Windows is taking too long to shutdown you can always do something about it. Troubleshoot the issue by trying out to reinstall network drivers, disabling certain hardware devices, checking on your hard drive and quitting some software before shutdown.

Click Here for another way to speed up your Windows PC
Home     Blog     About     Privacy Policy     Contact Us


Errors in Alphabetical Order: # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Microsoft & Windows® logos are registered trademarks of Microsoft. Disclaimer: ErrorVault.com is not affiliated with Microsoft, nor does it claim such affiliation. This page may contain definitions from https://stackoverflow.com/tags under the CC-BY-SA license. The information on this page is provided for informational purposes only. © Copyright 2018