contextSwitchDeadlock MDA
Note
This article is specific to .NET Framework. It doesn't apply to newer implementations of .NET, including .NET 6 and later versions.
The contextSwitchDeadlock managed debugging assistant (MDA) is activated when a deadlock is detected during an attempted COM context transition.
Symptoms
The most common symptom is that a call on an unmanaged COM component from managed code does not return. Another symptom is memory usage increasing over time.
Cause
The most probable cause is that a single-threaded apartment (STA) thread is not pumping messages. The STA thread is either waiting without pumping messages or is performing lengthy operations and is not allowing the message queue to pump.
Memory usage increasing over time is caused by the finalizer thread attempting to call Release on an unmanaged COM component and that component is not returning. This prevents the finalizer from reclaiming other objects.
By default, the threading model for the main thread of Visual Basic console applications is STA. This MDA is activated if an STA thread uses COM interoperability either directly or indirectly through the common language runtime or a third-party control. To avoid activating this MDA in a Visual Basic console application, apply the MTAThreadAttribute attribute to the main method or modify the application to pump messages.
It is possible for this MDA to be falsely activated when all of the following conditions are met:
An application creates COM components from STA threads either directly or indirectly through libraries.
The application was stopped in the debugger and the user either continued the application or performed a step operation.
Unmanaged debugging is not enabled.
To determine if the MDA is being falsely activated, disable all breakpoints, restart the application, and allow it to run without stopping. If the MDA is not activated, it is likely the initial activation was false. In this case, disable the MDA to avoid interference with the debugging session.
Note
This MDA is in the default set for Visual Studio. For information about how to disable MDAs, see Diagnosing Errors with Managed Debugging Assistants.
Resolution
Follow COM rules regarding STA message pumping.
Effect on the Runtime
This MDA has no effect on the CLR. It only reports data about COM contexts.
Output
A message describing the current context and the target context.
Configuration
<mdaConfig>
<assistants>
<contextSwitchDeadlock />
</assistants>
</mdaConfig>
