---
name: "pam_strerror"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "pam"
version: "1.7.3-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/pam_strerror"
---

# pam\_strerror(3)

return string describing PAM error code

## NAME

pam\_strerror - return string describing PAM error code

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <security/pam_appl.h>
```

**const char \*pam\_strerror(pam\_handle\_t \****pamh***, int** *errnum***);**

## DESCRIPTION

The **pam\_strerror** function returns a pointer to a string describing the error code passed in the argument *errnum*, possibly using the LC\_MESSAGES part of the current locale to select the appropriate language. This string must not be modified by the application. No library function will modify this string.

## RETURN VALUES

This function returns always a pointer to a string.

## SEE ALSO

[**pam**(8)](/pam/8.md)