dotnet/wpf · error · IOException

SR.StreamNotExist

Error message

SR.StreamNotExist

What it means

Thrown by StorageInfo.GetStreamInfo when the requested named stream does not exist in this storage. It is the strict variant: unlike TryGetStreamInfo-style paths, an absent stream name is treated as a hard failure with IOException rather than returning null.

Solutions

1. Check StreamExists(streamName) before calling GetStreamInfo
2. Confirm the file is a valid OLE compound file with the expected package layout (e.g. open with EncryptedPackageEnvelope/XpsDocument rather than raw StorageInfo)
3. Fix the stream name; note internal streams start with the '\u0006' prefix
4. Create the stream first via CreateStream if your code is responsible for populating it

Example fix

// before
var si = storage.GetStreamInfo(versionStreamName);
// after
if (storage.StreamExists(versionStreamName))
{
    var si = storage.GetStreamInfo(versionStreamName);
}
else
{
    throw new InvalidDataException($"Stream '{versionStreamName}' missing; not a valid package");
}

if (!storage.StreamExists(streamName)) throw new FileNotFoundException($"Stream '{streamName}' not found in storage");

StreamInfo TryGetStream(StorageInfo s, string name) => s.StreamExists(name) ? s.GetStreamInfo(name) : null;

try { var si = storage.GetStreamInfo(name); }
catch (IOException ex) { /* treat as missing stream; log name and file */ }

When it happens

Trigger: Calling GetStreamInfo(streamName) for a stream name that was never created in the storage, or after the stream was deleted via DestroyElement/Delete.

Common situations: Reading well-known compound-file streams ('\u0006DataSpaces/DataSpaceMap', version stream, content stream) from a file that is not actually an XPS/RM package or has a different internal layout; typos in stream names including the '\u0006'-prefixed internal names.

Understand the failure class

Background: "File not found" and ENOENT errors: why libraries can't find a file that should exist — this error's family across 50 libraries.

Related errors

• SR.StorageNotExist
• A read or write operation references a location outside the…
• Cannot access Stream object because it was closed or…
• Cannot change content of read-only stream.
• Cannot set seek pointer to a negative position.

AI-assisted analysis of dotnet/wpf@81131a70a4 (2026-09-14). Data as JSON: /api/errors/351c256714bc50b4. Report an issue: GitHub.

Appendix: source

Thrown at src/Microsoft.DotNet.Wpf/src/WindowsBase/System/IO/Packaging/CompoundFile/StorageInfo.cs:384

    /// Returns the streaminfo by the passed name.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="name">Name of stream</param>
    /// <returns>Reference to the stream</returns>
    public StreamInfo GetStreamInfo(string name)
    {
        CheckDisposedStatus();

        //check the arguments
        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(name);

        StreamInfo streamInfo = new StreamInfo(this, name);
        if (streamInfo.InternalExists())
        {
            return streamInfo;
        }
        else
        {
            throw new IOException(SR.StreamNotExist);
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Check if the stream exists.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="name">Name of stream</param>
    /// <returns>True if exists, False if not</returns>
    public bool StreamExists(string name)
    {
        CheckDisposedStatus();
        
        bool streamExists = false;

        StreamInfo streamInfo = new StreamInfo(this, name);
        streamExists = streamInfo.InternalExists();

        return streamExists;

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