---
title: FlushConsoleInputBuffer function
description: Flushes the console input buffer. All input records currently in the input buffer are discarded.
author: miniksa
ms.author: miniksa
ms.topic: article
keywords: console, character mode applications, command line applications, terminal applications, console api
f1_keywords:
- consoleapi2/FlushConsoleInputBuffer
- wincon/FlushConsoleInputBuffer
- FlushConsoleInputBuffer
MS-HAID:
- '\_win32\_flushconsoleinputbuffer'
- 'base.flushconsoleinputbuffer'
- 'consoles.flushconsoleinputbuffer'
MSHAttr:
- 'PreferredSiteName:MSDN'
- 'PreferredLib:/library/windows/desktop'
ms.assetid: 6f7832d6-1fb2-4ca8-bd07-43123c990851
topic_type:
- apiref
api_name:
- FlushConsoleInputBuffer
api_location:
- Kernel32.dll
- API-MS-Win-Core-Console-l2-1-0.dll
- KernelBase.dll
- API-MS-Win-DownLevel-Kernel32-l1-1-0.dll
api_type:
- DllExport
---

# FlushConsoleInputBuffer function

[!INCLUDE [not-recommended-banner](./includes/not-recommended-banner.md)]

Flushes the console input buffer. All input records currently in the input buffer are discarded.

## Syntax

```C
BOOL WINAPI FlushConsoleInputBuffer(
  _In_ HANDLE hConsoleInput
);
```

## Parameters

*hConsoleInput* \[in\]  
A handle to the console input buffer. The handle must have the **GENERIC\_WRITE** access right. For more information, see [Console Buffer Security and Access Rights](console-buffer-security-and-access-rights.md).

## Return value

If the function succeeds, the return value is nonzero.

If the function fails, the return value is zero. To get extended error information, call [**GetLastError**](/windows/win32/api/errhandlingapi/nf-errhandlingapi-getlasterror).

## Remarks

> [!TIP]
> This API is not recommended and does not have a **[virtual terminal](console-virtual-terminal-sequences.md)** equivalent. Attempting to empty the input queue all at once can destroy state in the queue in an unexpected manner.

## Requirements

|   |   |
|-|-|
| Minimum supported client | Windows 2000 Professional \[desktop apps only\] |
| Minimum supported server | Windows 2000 Server \[desktop apps only\] |
| Header | ConsoleApi2.h (via WinCon.h, include Windows.h) |
| Library | Kernel32.lib |
| DLL | Kernel32.dll |

## See also

[Console Functions](console-functions.md)

[Low-Level Console Input Functions](low-level-console-input-functions.md)

[**GetNumberOfConsoleInputEvents**](getnumberofconsoleinputevents.md)

[**PeekConsoleInput**](peekconsoleinput.md)

[**ReadConsoleInput**](readconsoleinput.md)

[**WriteConsoleInput**](writeconsoleinput.md)