> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getsmelt.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Error Messages

> Complete reference of error messages and how to fix them

Complete reference of all error messages you might see in Smelt.

## File Upload Errors

| Error                        | Cause                          | Solution                                    |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------- |
| "File contains no data rows" | Empty CSV or only headers      | Verify file has data rows, not just headers |
| "No columns detected"        | Missing header row             | Add a header row to your CSV                |
| "File too large"             | Over 50MB                      | Split into smaller files (under 50MB each)  |
| "Invalid file format"        | Not a CSV file                 | Export from source as CSV format            |
| "Encoding error"             | Unsupported character encoding | Re-save file as UTF-8                       |
| "File processing failed"     | Corrupted or malformed file    | Re-export from original source              |
| "Too many columns"           | Over 100 columns               | Remove unnecessary columns                  |
| "Too many rows"              | Over 50,000 rows               | Split into multiple files                   |

## Job Errors

| Error                         | Cause                            | Solution                                   |
| ----------------------------- | -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| "Usage limit exceeded"        | Monthly row limit reached        | Upgrade plan or wait for cycle reset       |
| "No templates selected"       | Forgot to select templates       | Select at least one template in wizard     |
| "Invalid row range"           | Start row greater than end row   | Fix row range (start must be ≤ end)        |
| "Template not found"          | Template was deleted             | Select a different template                |
| "File not found"              | Source file was deleted          | Upload file again or select different file |
| "Job timed out"               | Very large job or network issues | Split into smaller batches, retry          |
| "Insufficient rows remaining" | Requested more than available    | Reduce row range or upgrade plan           |

## API Key Errors

| Error                    | Cause                         | Solution                                   |
| ------------------------ | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| "Invalid API key"        | Wrong key or revoked          | Re-enter key or generate new one at OpenAI |
| "API key expired"        | Key was revoked at OpenAI     | Generate new key at platform.openai.com    |
| "Rate limit exceeded"    | Too many API requests         | Wait 1 minute, Smelt auto-retries          |
| "Insufficient credits"   | OpenAI account has no credits | Add credits at platform.openai.com         |
| "API key not configured" | BYOK mode but no key added    | Add your API key in Settings               |
| "Invalid API key format" | Key doesn't start with sk-    | Ensure you copied the full key correctly   |

## Authentication Errors

| Error                      | Cause                                 | Solution                                     |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| "Invalid credentials"      | Wrong email or password               | Check spelling, use password reset if needed |
| "Account not found"        | Email not registered                  | Create a new account                         |
| "Too many login attempts"  | Rate limit triggered                  | Wait 15 minutes before trying again          |
| "Reset link expired"       | Password reset link older than 1 hour | Request a new password reset                 |
| "Reset link already used"  | Link was already used                 | Request a new password reset                 |
| "Email already registered" | Trying to register existing email     | Log in instead, or use password reset        |

## Template Errors

| Error                           | Cause                             | Solution                               |
| ------------------------------- | --------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| "Template name required"        | Empty name field                  | Enter a template name                  |
| "Prompt template required"      | Empty prompt field                | Enter your prompt instructions         |
| "Invalid variable syntax"       | Malformed `{{variable}}`          | Check variable format (double braces)  |
| "Output column name required"   | Empty output column field         | Enter an output column name            |
| "Cannot edit system template"   | Trying to edit default template   | Duplicate it first, then edit the copy |
| "Cannot delete system template" | Trying to delete default template | System templates cannot be deleted     |

## Network Errors

| Error                 | Cause                            | Solution                         |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| "Network error"       | Connection issue                 | Check internet connection, retry |
| "Request timeout"     | Slow connection or large request | Retry, or try smaller batch      |
| "Service unavailable" | Smelt or OpenAI temporarily down | Wait a few minutes and retry     |
| "Connection refused"  | Network blocking                 | Check firewall/VPN settings      |

## Billing Errors

| Error                    | Cause                    | Solution                                                  |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| "Payment failed"         | Card declined or expired | Update payment method in billing portal                   |
| "Subscription not found" | Billing sync issue       | Contact [support@getsmelt.io](mailto:support@getsmelt.io) |
| "Invalid plan selection" | Plan no longer available | Select a different plan                                   |

## Export Errors

| Error                  | Cause                        | Solution                                       |
| ---------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| "No results to export" | Job has no completed results | Wait for job to complete or check for failures |
| "Export failed"        | Server error during export   | Retry, contact support if persistent           |

## Quality Flag "Errors"

These aren't errors, but warnings about output quality:

| Flag              | Meaning                          | Action                                         |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| `forbidden_word`  | Output contains banned word      | Edit to remove, or update forbidden words list |
| `has_placeholder` | Output has unfilled \[Name] etc. | Check CSV has data, edit to fix                |
| `has_ai_speak`    | Output says "As an AI..."        | Edit to remove, improve prompt                 |

See [Quality Flags](/results/quality-flags) for the complete list.

***

## Getting Help

If you encounter an error not listed here:

1. **Screenshot the error** — Include the full message
2. **Note what you were doing** — Which action triggered it
3. **Contact support** — Email [support@getsmelt.io](mailto:support@getsmelt.io)

<Tip>
  Most errors include guidance in the message itself. Read the full error text for specific instructions.
</Tip>