Feedback: guides-common_errors_and_solutions

Documentation Feedback

Original URL: https://www.assemblyai.com/docs/guides/common_errors_and_solutions
Category: guides
Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:42:34 pm

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Claude Sonnet 4 Feedback

Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:42:33 pm

Technical Documentation Analysis: AssemblyAI Common Errors Guide

Overall Assessment

This documentation provides valuable troubleshooting information but has several areas for improvement in structure, completeness, and user experience. Here’s my detailed analysis:

🔴 Critical Issues

1. Incomplete Coverage

Problem: The documentation appears to cut off abruptly in the “Audio File Errors” section. Fix: Complete the missing sections:

• Add more audio file error types (corrupted files, unsupported formats, file size limits)
• Include network/timeout errors
• Add rate limiting errors
• Cover webhook-related errors

2. Inconsistent Error Format Examples

Problem: Some examples show JSON responses while others show Python code snippets without clear separation. Fix: Standardize the format:

**Error Response:**
```json
{
  "error": "Error message here",
  "status_code": 400
}

Code Example:

# Handle this error
if response.status_code == 400:
    # Handle specific error

## 🟡 Structure & Organization Issues

### 3. Poor Information Hierarchy
**Problem**: Solutions are buried within long text blocks, making them hard to scan.
**Fix**: Restructure each error section:
```markdown
### Error Name
**When this occurs:** Brief explanation
**Error Response:** JSON example
**Quick Fix:** One-line solution
**Detailed Solutions:**
1. Primary solution with code
2. Alternative approach
3. Prevention tips

4. Missing Quick Reference

Problem: Users need to scroll through entire document to find specific errors. Fix: Add a table of contents with error codes:

## Quick Error Reference
| Error Code | Error Type | Quick Solution |
|------------|------------|----------------|
| 400 | Models not supported | Check [supported languages](link) |
| 401 | Invalid API token | Verify token in dashboard |

🟠 Content & Clarity Issues

5. Insufficient Context for Error Types

Problem: The distinction between “request errors” vs “processing errors” is unclear. Fix: Add a flowchart or clear explanation:

## Error Types Quick Guide
**Request Errors (Immediate):**
- Occur when you submit the transcription request
- Return immediately with HTTP status codes
- Usually authentication, validation, or parameter issues

**Processing Errors (Delayed):**
- Occur during transcription processing
- Found in the transcript object's `error` field
- Usually audio file or processing issues

6. Weak Code Examples

Problem: The error handling examples are too generic and don’t show complete implementations. Fix: Provide complete, runnable examples:

import assemblyai as aai
import requests
import time

def handle_transcription_with_error_handling(audio_url):
    """Complete example with proper error handling"""
    try:
        # Submit transcription
        transcript = aai.Transcriber().transcribe(audio_url)

        # Handle processing errors
        if transcript.status == aai.TranscriptStatus.error:
            if "duration is too short" in transcript.error.lower():
                return {"error": "audio_too_short", "message": transcript.error}
            elif "not accessible" in transcript.error.lower():
                return {"error": "url_not_accessible", "message": transcript.error}
            else:
                return {"error": "processing_failed", "message": transcript.error}

        return {"success": True, "transcript": transcript}

    except aai.exceptions.AuthenticationError:
        return {"error": "auth_failed", "message": "Check your API key"}
    except requests.exceptions.RequestException as e:
        return {"error": "network_error", "message": str(e)}

🟡 Missing Information

7. No Retry Logic Examples

Problem: Documentation mentions implementing retries but provides no examples. Fix: Add comprehensive retry examples:

import time
import random

def transcribe_with_retry(audio_url, max_retries=3):
    """Transcribe with exponential backoff retry logic"""
    for attempt in range(max_retries):
        try:
            response = requests.post(
                "https://api.assemblyai.com/v2/transcript",
                json={"audio_url": audio_url},
                headers={"authorization": API_KEY}
            )

            if response.status_code == 500:
                # Server error - retry with backoff
                wait_time = (2 ** attempt) + random.uniform(0, 1)
                time.sleep(wait_time)
                continue
            elif response.status_code == 429:
                # Rate limit - wait longer
                time.sleep(60)
                continue
            else:
                return response

        except requests.exceptions.RequestException:
            if attempt == max_retries - 1:
                raise
            time.sleep(2 ** attempt)

    raise Exception("Max retries exceeded")

8. Missing Debugging Information

Problem: No guidance on how to debug issues or what information to collect. Fix: Add debugging section:

## Debugging Checklist
When reporting issues, include:
- [ ] Full error message and status code
- [ ] Transcript ID (if available)
- [ ] Audio file URL or upload details
- [ ] Request parameters used
- [ ] SDK version or curl command
- [ ] Timestamp of the request

🔵 User Experience Improvements

9. Add Interactive Elements

Fix: Include:

• Copy buttons for code examples
• Expandable sections for detailed solutions
• Links to related documentation
• “Was this helpful?” feedback buttons

10. Improve Navigation

Fix: Add:

• Floating table of contents
• “Next steps” sections
• Related articles suggestions
• Search functionality within the page

📋 Recommended Action Plan

Phase 1 (High Priority)

1. Complete the missing audio file errors section
2. Standardize error format examples
3. Add quick reference table
4. Improve code examples with complete implementations

Phase 2 (Medium Priority)

1. Restructure information hierarchy
2. Add retry logic examples
3. Include debugging checklist
4. Add error type flowchart

Phase 3 (Enhancement)

1. Add interactive elements
2. Improve navigation
3. Add related articles
4. Implement user feedback system

This documentation has good foundational content but needs significant structural improvements and completion to provide an excellent user experience.

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