Trace backward from the dereference
- Identify the variable and the statement that should assign it.
- Inspect suppressed errors around
CreateObject, database opens, form/control lookup or collection access. - Confirm every branch initializes the object before use.
- Compare environment-specific configuration, COM registration and database availability.
- Add bounded error handling at the creation step so the original failure is visible.
Typical upstream causes
| COM creation returned Nothing | Identity, registration, dependency or permission failure. |
|---|---|
| Database object absent | Connection/query failed and error was suppressed. |
| Lookup returned no object | Missing configuration, control, record or collection key. |
| Only one machine fails | Initialization depends on environment state. |
Use error 429 for COM activation, COM analysis for identity compatibility and source analysis for systematic initialization risk. Database context starts at legacy databases.
Provide source around creation/use, preceding errors, configuration and reproducible inputs.