DOUBLE FREE | Memory freed twice

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Systems & Devices

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/systems/embedded-systems/error-codes/double-free/

Last Updated

Feb 27, 2026

Summary

The firmware attempted to free a heap pointer more than once, corrupting allocator state.

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Guides

Embedded / IoT Device Error Codes: Firmware, Connectivity, and Hardware Fault Patterns

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What This Code Means

“Double free” indicates a programming error where the same heap allocation is released twice. In embedded systems this can lead to heap corruption, random crashes, and unpredictable behavior.

Where Users Usually See This Code

Debug builds with heap checks enabled
Crash logs that include allocator diagnostics

Why This Code Appears

Pointer ownership is unclear between modules
Error-handling paths free memory twice
Race conditions in multi-threaded code

What Typically Happens Next

Heap corruption leading to crash/reset

What This Code Is Not

It is not a normal field-service “hardware” error
It is not a connectivity failure

Troubleshooting Checklist

□ Capture the call stack and allocation/free trace if available
□ Review code paths for ownership and lifetime rules

Notes And Edge Cases

In production firmware, these issues often present as random reboots without clear “double free” text.

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