aws api_error ai_generated true

An error occurred (ValidationException) when calling the X operation

ID: aws/validation-exception

Also available as: JSON · Markdown
90%Fix Rate
90%Confidence
50Evidence
2023-01-01First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
2 active — — —

Root Cause

AWS API validation failed. Wrong parameter format, missing required field, or exceeds limits.

generic

Workarounds

  1. 95% success Read the full error message — it usually tells you exactly which parameter is invalid 
    # Add --debug to any AWS CLI command to see the full API response:
aws s3api put-object --bucket my-bucket --key test --debug 2>&1 | grep 'ValidationException'

# The error message typically includes the field name and constraint, e.g.:
# 'Value for parameter X is invalid. Reason: Must be between 1 and 100.'
# Fix the indicated parameter value to match the documented constraints.

    Sources: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/general/latest/gr/error-responses.html

  2. 90% success Check AWS API docs for the specific operation's required parameters and formats 
    Check AWS API docs for the specific operation's required parameters and formats

    Sources: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/general/latest/gr/aws-apis.html

  3. 85% success Check for parameter length/pattern limits (e.g., IAM names must be alphanumeric) 
    e.g., IAM names must be alphanumeric

    Sources: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/IAM/latest/UserGuide/reference_iam-quotas.html

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. Retry the same request 90% fail

    Validation errors are deterministic — same request will always fail

  2. Upgrade AWS CLI version 70% fail

    Validation happens server-side — CLI version rarely matters

Error Chain

Frequently confused with: