ReferenceMarkdown

Why a generation failed

A generation that ends with status: "failed" carries an error. A failed generation is never charged: the reservation is released and price_usd only shows what it would have cost. Branch on code; message is written for people and can change.

json

{
  "data": {
    "id": "gen_4Fq9xT2mLr7Kd1sV8bN3pZ0c",
    "object": "generation",
    "status": "failed",
    "model": "bytedance-lipsync",
    "price_usd": 0.45,
    "outputs": [],
    "error": {
      "code": "invalid_input",
      "message": "The `audio` is 12.4 s long, longer than `duration` (9). Send 13.",
      "retryable": false
    },
    "created_at": "2026-11-01T18:04:11.000Z",
    "finished_at": "2026-11-01T18:04:19.000Z"
  }
}

Field	Type	What it is
`code`	string	Stable. See the table below.
`message`	string	What happened and what to change.
`retryable`	boolean	Whether the same request may work if you send it again. Sending again is a new generation with a new `Idempotency-Key`; a failed one costs nothing.
`reason`	string	Only on `content_policy`: the kind of block, `sexual`, `minors`, `copyright`, `real_person` or `other`.

Code	Retryable	Why	Fix
`content_policy`	No	The prompt or a file was blocked by a content policy. `reason` says which kind.	Change the prompt or the input.
`invalid_input`	No	A file or an option cannot be used: the wrong type, a link that did not open, too large, too long, or longer than `duration`. The message says which and what to send.	Check the file and the model's `params`, or upload the file.
`model_declined`	No	The model is not offered with these options right now.	Try other options, such as another resolution or duration.
`reference_changed`	No	The reference clip is longer than the request was priced for.	Send the `extra.video_seconds` the message gives.
`max_cost_exceeded`	No	The measured price is over your `max_cost_usd`.	Raise `max_cost_usd`, or lower the resolution or duration.
`max_wait_exceeded`	No	No route could finish inside your `max_wait_s`.	Raise `max_wait_s`.
`model_busy`	Yes	No route can take this model right now.	Try again in a few minutes, or use another model.
`model_unavailable`	Yes	The model is switched off for the moment.	Try again later, or use another model.
`all_routes_failed`	Yes	Every route that could take the call turned it away.	Try again in a few minutes.
`timeout`	Yes	A route did not answer in time, or the generation ran for longer than 6 hours.	Try again, or shorten the request.
`processing_failed`	Yes	The route could not make it, or the result could not be delivered.	Try again, or change the prompt.

Failures that happen before a generation exists (a bad body, no credit) are request errors, see Errors.