This error occurs when Windows Event Log tries to format an event message and cannot resolve one or more substitution inserts (placeholders like
In plain terms:
“The event message expects a value (like
This is a message rendering / metadata mismatch error, not a logging, query, or channel failure.
Fact:
Those templates contain insert placeholders:
When the event is written:
Check:
This restores missing or mismatched message resources.
The fix is not in Event Viewer — it’s in restoring or correcting the event publisher and its message resources.
%1, %2, etc.) because the corresponding value was not provided or cannot be found.In plain terms:
“The event message expects a value (like
%1), but the event didn’t supply it.”This is a message rendering / metadata mismatch error, not a logging, query, or channel failure.
Error code equivalence (same error, different formats)
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| Win32 (decimal) | 15029 |
| Win32 (hex) | 0x3AB5 |
| HRESULT | 0x80073AB5 |
| Symbolic name | ERROR_EVT_UNRESOLVED_VALUE_INSERT |
| Message | The substitution string for insert index could not be found. |
0x80073AB5 is the HRESULT-wrapped form of Win32 error 15029.What this error really means
Event messages are built from templates stored in message DLLs.Those templates contain insert placeholders:
Code:
User %1 logged on from %2- The publisher supplies a list of insert values
- Each
%nmust have a corresponding value - Event Log substitutes them at render time
- The message template references
%1(or another index) - That index does not exist in the event’s data payload
- Rendering fails for that insert
Common real-world scenarios that trigger this error
1) Publisher emits fewer insert values than required
Cause- Buggy or outdated application/driver
- Event template updated but code not updated
- Event appears with raw placeholders
- Happens consistently for the same event ID
- Update or fix the event publisher
- Reinstall or patch the application/driver
2) Message DLL and publisher version mismatch
Cause- Message DLL updated independently
- Partial uninstall or rollback
- Side-by-side version conflict
- Event Viewer can’t render messages
- Same event renders fine on another machine
- Repair or reinstall the owning component
- Restore matching message DLL version
3) Event data corruption or truncation
Cause- Memory or disk corruption
- Faulty logging implementation
- Interrupted write
- Only some events fail to render
- Other events from same source work
- Repair system files
- Validate publisher health
4) Missing or inaccessible message DLL
Cause- Message file deleted or moved
- Registry path invalid
- Permission issues
- Event Viewer shows generic message errors
- Multiple events affected
- Restore the message DLL
- Repair system or application files
5) Rendering through API with incorrect flags
Cause- Custom tooling using
EvtFormatMessage - Incorrect rendering context or flags
- Missing user data buffer
- Events render in Event Viewer but not in custom tool
- Correct API usage
- Ensure insert values are supplied
What this error is NOT
Not an Event Log channel configuration issue- Not an XPath query problem
- Not a stale query result
- Not fixed by clearing logs
Real fixes & solutions (correct order matters)
Step 1: Identify the event source and event ID
Look at:- Event Source (Publisher)
- Event ID
- Which insert index (
%1,%2, etc.) failed
Step 2: Verify message DLL registration
Event publishers register message files under:
Code:
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EventLog\<Log>\<Source>EventMessageFileParameterMessageFile
Step 3: Repair or reinstall the publisher
If the event comes from:- A driver
- A Windows component
- A third-party application
Step 4: Repair system files (if Windows publisher)
Run as administrator:
Code:
sfc /scannow
Code:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthStep 5: Handle gracefully in custom tooling (developers)
If you’re rendering events programmatically:- Expect unresolved inserts
- Fall back to raw event data
- Don’t treat this as fatal
Fast “symptom → fix” mapping
| Symptom | Likely Fix |
|---|---|
| Same event ID always fails to render | Update/reinstall publisher |
| Works on some machines only | Version mismatch of message DLL |
| Event Viewer shows placeholders | Restore message file |
| Custom tool fails, Event Viewer works | Fix API rendering logic |
| Random unresolved inserts | Check for corruption or partial updates |
Related Event Log message/rendering errors (context map)
| Code / Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
15029 ERROR_EVT_UNRESOLVED_VALUE_INSERT | Missing insert value for message template |
15007 ERROR_EVT_MESSAGE_NOT_FOUND | Message DLL missing |
15002 ERROR_EVT_PUBLISHER_METADATA_NOT_FOUND | Publisher metadata missing |
15004 ERROR_EVT_INVALID_PUBLISHER_NAME | Invalid publisher reference |
15011 ERROR_EVT_QUERY_RESULT_STALE | Query result invalid (unrelated rendering) |
Practical diagnostic checklist
- Which publisher and event ID?
- Which insert index (
%1,%2, etc.) failed? - Does the message render correctly on another system?
- Are message DLL paths valid and accessible?
- Was there a recent update, uninstall, or rollback?
- Is this coming from a custom event reader?
Note
ERROR_EVT_UNRESOLVED_VALUE_INSERT means the event template and its data don’t match.The fix is not in Event Viewer — it’s in restoring or correcting the event publisher and its message resources.