Error reference

Every API error is JSON with a stable machine-readable code, a human-readable message, and a referenceId you can give support. Validation errors add a details object keyed by field. Codes are append-only — build against them safely.

{
  "error": {
    "code": "WAVEBAND_VALIDATION",
    "message": "The request failed validation.",
    "details": { "budgetUsdMinor": "must be a positive integer" },
    "referenceId": "8afaaee8-e7ab-4702-9802-881b52e02faf"
  }
}

Retry guidance

All error codes

HTTPCodeDefault message
400WAVEBAND_VALIDATIONThe request failed validation.
400WAVEBAND_BUDGET_BELOW_DELIVEREDBudget cannot be set below the amount already delivered.
400WAVEBAND_BUDGET_BELOW_MINIMUMDaily budget is below the platform minimum of $1.00.
400WAVEBAND_BUDGET_CAP_REACHEDThis change would exceed the account spend cap. Contact support to raise it.
400WAVEBAND_TARGETING_INVALIDThe targeting expression is invalid.
400WAVEBAND_TARGETING_EMPTY_REACHThis targeting combination has no available reach.
400WAVEBAND_CREATIVE_INVALIDThe creative failed validation for its channel.
400WAVEBAND_CREATIVE_CHANNEL_MISMATCHThis creative type cannot be attached to a line item of this channel.
400WAVEBAND_ACTIVATION_NO_CREATIVESA line item cannot go live without at least one attached creative.
400WAVEBAND_SEGMENT_TOO_SMALLThis audience is below the minimum size required for activation.
401WAVEBAND_UNAUTHORIZEDAuthentication is required.
402WAVEBAND_ACTIVATION_BLOCKED_BILLINGActivation is blocked until the outstanding balance is settled.
402WAVEBAND_PAYMENT_FAILEDThe payment method was declined. Update it to continue.
402WAVEBAND_CREDIT_LIMIT_EXCEEDEDThis account has reached its credit limit.
403WAVEBAND_FORBIDDENYou do not have access to this resource.
403WAVEBAND_ACTIVATION_RISK_HOLDActivation requires review for new accounts at this spend level.
403WAVEBAND_FEATURE_NOT_ENABLEDThis feature is not enabled for your plan. Contact support to enable it.
404WAVEBAND_NOT_FOUNDThe requested resource was not found.
409WAVEBAND_IDEMPOTENCY_CONFLICTA different request with this idempotency key was already processed.
409WAVEBAND_SYNC_PENDINGThis entity has a pending sync. Retry once it settles.
409WAVEBAND_CREATIVE_TRANSCODINGThe creative is still transcoding. It can be attached once processing completes.
409WAVEBAND_CREATIVE_REJECTEDThe creative was rejected by an exchange review. See the approval status for details.
429WAVEBAND_RATE_LIMITEDRate limit exceeded. Retry after the indicated delay.
500WAVEBAND_INTERNALSomething went wrong on our side. Our team has been notified.
502WAVEBAND_PROVISIONING_FAILEDYour change could not be applied to the delivery infrastructure. It has been queued for retry; support has the reference id.
Error reference — Waveband Docs