Get Heap Information From Full Dotnet Dumps

[Trips]

If you're unable to get heap information from full .NET dumps, here are some steps you can follow to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

 

1. Use the Right Tools

• Ensure you are using the appropriate tools for analyzing .NET dumps, such as:
  • WinDbg: A powerful debugger that can handle .NET memory dumps.
  • dotnet-dump: A command-line tool specifically for .NET Core applications.
  • Visual Studio: It can open and analyze .NET memory dumps.

2. Load the Correct SOS Extension

• In WinDbg, make sure to load the SOS debugging extension properly:
  .loadby sos clr
• If you're using .NET Core, you might need to load the SOS extension differently:
  .load clrmd.dll

3. Check Dump Type

• Ensure you are working with a full memory dump. Mini dumps may not contain the necessary heap information.
• Use the command:
  !analyze -v
• This will give you a detailed analysis and confirm if it's a full dump.

4. Verify CLR Version

• Make sure you are using the correct version of the SOS extension that matches the CLR version of the dump. Use:
  !clrstack
• This can help verify the CLR version.

5. Use the Right Commands

• To get heap information, use:
  !dumpheap -stat
• This command provides statistics about the managed heap.

6. Investigate Possible Corruption

• If the dump file is corrupted, you may not be able to extract heap information. Try to capture a new dump if possible.

7. Check for Permissions

• Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to analyze the dump file. Run your tools as an administrator if needed.

8. Consult Documentation

• Refer to the official Microsoft documentation for more detailed instructions on using WinDbg or other tools with .NET dumps.

9. Community Support

• If issues persist, consider reaching out to community forums or support channels, such as Stack Overflow or the Microsoft Q&A platform, providing details about the issue for further assistance.

 

By following these steps, you should be able to gather heap information from your full .NET dumps

Edited November 13 by Trips