Error "Exit Code 3322" and "C0000142" in AutoSys Windows Command Jobs

Products

• Autosys Workload Automation
• Workload Automation Agent

Issue/Introduction

Windows command jobs fail intermittently with exit code 3322 and status code C0000142.​​​​​​​․
The issue may occur on shared servers where jobs begin failing after a period of successful operation.
The Windows System event logs show "desktop heap allocation failed" warnings corresponding to the job failure timestamps.

ERROR MESSAGE: "State FAILED Cmpc(3322) SetEnd" "Status(Aborted, code C0000142)" "desktop heap allocation failed"

SYMPTOMS:

• Jobs fail intermittently with exit code 3322

• Status code C0000142 appears in agent logs

• "Desktop heap allocation failed" warning appears in Windows System logs

• Failures increase in frequency until the server reboot

CONTEXT: Occurs on Windows agents executing command jobs.

IMPACT: Scheduled jobs fail to execute, requiring manual intervention or server reboots.

Environment

AutoSys Workload Automation Component: SYSAGD
Operating System: Windows
Product Release: 12.1 0000
Workload Automation Agent for Windows 12.1

Environment:

• Operating System: Windows

• Agent: Workload Automation Agent for Windows 12.1

Cause

ROOT CAUSE:
The Windows desktop heap allocation is exhausted, preventing new processes (jobs) from spawning.
This is indicated by the "desktop heap allocation failed" warning in the system logs and the C0000142 (STATUS_DLL_INIT_FAILED) error code,
which often points to initialization failures due to resource exhaustion.

Resolution

PREREQUISITES:

• Administrator access to the Windows server

• Permission to edit the Windows Registry

STEPS:

1. VERIFY DESKTOP HEAP SETTINGS

   Navigate to the following registry path to inspect the current heap allocation.

   Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows

   EXPECTED: Locate the "DesktopHeap" key or value.

2. INCREASE DESKTOP HEAP SIZE

   Modify the desktop heap allocation value to increase available memory for non-interactive desktops.

   Value: Increase from 768 to 4096

   WARNING: Backup the registry before making changes. Incorrect registry edits can affect system stability.

   NOTE: Ensure the value is appropriate for the system architecture.

3. REBOOT SERVER

   Restart the Windows server to apply the registry changes.

   EXPECTED: The new desktop heap allocation takes effect.

VERIFY SUCCESS:

• Jobs execute successfully without exit code 3322

• No new "desktop heap allocation failed" warnings appear in System logs