Fixing Win32 Error 0x000006A5 (RPC_S_WRONG_KIND_OF_BINDING)

The error code 0x000006A5 translates to RPC_S_WRONG_KIND_OF_BINDING. This error message indicates an issue with a Remote Procedure Call (RPC) where the type of binding used is incompatible with the remote service or program you’re trying to connect to.

Here’s a breakdown of the issue and troubleshooting steps to address the RPC_S_WRONG_KIND_OF_BINDING error:

Understanding Incompatible RPC Bindings:

• RPC communication can utilize different binding types like local, remote procedure calls (RPC), named pipes, or shared memory. The type of binding determines the communication method used to establish the connection.
• The RPC_S_WRONG_KIND_OF_BINDING error occurs when the application attempts to use an incompatible binding type for the remote service. For instance, trying to use a local binding for a service designed for remote access over a network.

Reasons Behind RPC_S_WRONG_KIND_OF_BINDING:

There are a couple of reasons why you might encounter this error:

• Incorrect Binding Type Specified: You might have explicitly specified the wrong binding type when configuring the RPC connection.
• Automatic Binding Misconfiguration: In some cases, the automatic RPC binding selection might choose an incompatible type for the remote service.
• Program or Service Misconfiguration: The program or service you’re trying to access remotely might be misconfigured to use an unsupported binding type.

Resolving RPC_S_WRONG_KIND_OF_BINDING:

1. Review Binding Type Configuration:

   • If you’re manually specifying the binding type for the RPC connection, double-check to ensure it’s compatible with the remote service or program you’re trying to access. Consult the program’s documentation for supported binding types.

2. Verify Automatic Binding Selection (if applicable):

   • If the application allows configuration options for RPC connections, see if there are options related to automatic binding selection. You might be able to force it to use a specific binding type if necessary.

3. Software Vendor Support:

   • If you’re unsure about the appropriate binding type or encounter configuration issues with the program or service, consider reaching out to the software vendor’s support for guidance. They can provide information on supported binding types and how to establish a compatible RPC connection.

4. Review Event Viewer (if applicable):

   • The Windows Event Viewer might sometimes log detailed messages related to RPC errors. Checking the Event Viewer for relevant entries around the time the error occurred might provide additional clues.

Additional Tips:

• Some programs might offer built-in options to configure RPC connections. Explore the program’s settings to see if there are options for specifying the remote service or program, which can help avoid manual configuration issues.
• If you have access to the configuration of the remote service, ensure it’s set up to support the binding type you’re trying to use for the RPC communication.

By understanding the concept of binding types in RPC and the reasons behind the RPC_S_WRONG_KIND_OF_BINDING error, you can identify the incompatibility issue. Reviewing binding type configuration, checking automatic binding selection, consulting software vendor support, and reviewing the Event Viewer (if applicable) are some recommended steps to address this error.