SSIS Error DTS_E_PROCESSINPUTFAILED : Data flow component failed during processing input data

 The SSIS Error Code DTS_E_PROCESSINPUTFAILED indicates that a component encountered an error while processing input data. This can happen due to various reasons, such as data type mismatches, constraints violations, or unexpected data formats. Below are steps to diagnose and resolve this error:

Steps to Resolve DTS_E_PROCESSINPUTFAILED

1. Review Error Message Details:

   • Look at the detailed error message in the SSIS log or output window. It often provides specific information about the component that failed and the nature of the error.

2. Identify the Failing Component:

   • Determine which component in the data flow task is generating the error. The error message should indicate the component's name or type.

3. Check Data Flow Path:

   • Examine the data flow leading to the failing component. Ensure that data is being correctly passed from upstream components.

4. Validate Data Types and Metadata:

   • Ensure that data types are consistent across components. A common issue is mismatched data types between source, transformations, and destination.
   • Verify that the metadata for columns is correct and consistent.

5. Handle Null Values and Data Constraints:

   • Ensure that null values are handled appropriately. Non-nullable columns receiving null values will cause errors.
   • Check for any data constraints (e.g., length constraints, unique constraints) that might be violated by the incoming data.

6. Inspect Data Quality:

   • Check the source data for any unexpected values or anomalies that could cause processing issues.
   • Cleanse and validate the data before it reaches the failing component.

7. Component Configuration:

   • Review the configuration settings of the failing component. Ensure that all properties are set correctly.
   • Look for any settings that might be causing the error, such as buffer sizes or data access modes.

8. Enable Debugging and Logging:

   • Enable SSIS logging to capture detailed information about the data flow execution. This can help identify the exact point of failure.
   • Use data viewers to inspect the data at various stages of the data flow to see where the issue arises.

Common Scenarios and Solutions

Scenario 1: Data Type Mismatch

Issue: A column in the source data has a different data type than expected by the destination component.

Solution:

• Use a Data Conversion or Derived Column transformation to convert the data to the expected type.
• Ensure that the data type conversion handles all possible values correctly.

Scenario 2: Null Values in Non-Nullable Columns

Issue: A non-nullable column in the destination component receives null values from the source data.

Solution:

• Use a Derived Column transformation to replace null values with default values.
• Example:

  ISNULL([SourceColumn]) ? "DefaultValue" : [SourceColumn]

Scenario 3: Data Constraints Violation

Issue: Incoming data violates constraints such as length or uniqueness in the destination component.

Solution:

• Validate and cleanse data before loading it into the destination.
• Use conditional split transformations to filter out or handle invalid data.

Example Error Handling in SSIS

Handling Null Values and Data Type Conversion:

-- Derived Column Transformation Example
[CleanedColumn] = ISNULL([SourceColumn]) ? 0 : (DT_I4)[SourceColumn]

Conditional Split to Handle Invalid Data:

-- Conditional Split Example
ValidData: LEN([Column]) <= 50
InvalidData: LEN([Column]) > 50

By systematically diagnosing the issue and implementing appropriate fixes, you can resolve the DTS_E_PROCESSINPUTFAILED error in your SSIS package.