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

# Error Codes

> HTTP status codes and API error responses returned by the TikTool API.

## HTTP Status Codes

| Code  | Meaning               | Description                                     |
| ----- | --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| `200` | OK                    | Request succeeded                               |
| `400` | Bad Request           | Missing or invalid parameters                   |
| `401` | Unauthorized          | Missing or invalid API key                      |
| `403` | Forbidden             | API key doesn't have permission for this action |
| `404` | Not Found             | Endpoint doesn't exist or user not found        |
| `429` | Too Many Requests     | Rate limit exceeded - wait and retry            |
| `500` | Internal Server Error | Server-side error - retry with backoff          |
| `503` | Service Unavailable   | Server temporarily overloaded                   |

## Error Response Format

All errors return a JSON body with `status_code` and `message`:

```json theme={null}
{
  "status_code": 401,
  "message": "Invalid or expired API key"
}
```

## Common Errors

### Invalid API Key

```json theme={null}
{
  "status_code": 401,
  "message": "Invalid API key. Get a free key at https://tik.tools"
}
```

**Fix:** Check your API key in the [Dashboard](https://tik.tools/dashboard). Ensure you're passing it as `apiKey` query parameter.

### User Not Live

```json theme={null}
{
  "status_code": 400,
  "message": "User is not currently live"
}
```

**Fix:** Use [`/webcast/check_alive`](/rest-api/check-alive) to verify the user is live before connecting.

### Rate Limit Exceeded

```json theme={null}
{
  "status_code": 429,
  "message": "Rate limit exceeded. Retry after 60 seconds."
}
```

**Fix:** Implement exponential backoff. Check `X-RateLimit-Remaining` headers to avoid hitting limits. Consider upgrading your tier.

### Connection Limit

```json theme={null}
{
  "status_code": 403,
  "message": "WebSocket connection limit reached for your tier"
}
```

**Fix:** Close unused WebSocket connections. Upgrade to a higher tier for more concurrent connections.

## WebSocket Close Codes

For WebSocket-specific error codes, see [WebSocket Close Codes](/websocket/close-codes).