Exceptions

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When an error occurs, whether as the result of a malformed event or too many requests, AVS will return a message to your client that includes an exception code and a description. The description may include details about the error that can be used for logging and troubleshooting. It is possible for the description to be null.

Warning: Unlike directives and events, exception messages are not multipart messages and should be handled accordingly.

The following is a sample exception returned by AVS.

Sample Exception

{
    "header": {
        "namespace": "System",
        "name": "Exception",
        "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
    },

    "payload": {
        "code": "{{STRING}}",
        "description": "{{STRING}}"
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
code	An exception code returned when an error is encountered.	string
description	Additional details for logging and troubleshooting. This is an optional parameter for AVS and may not be included in the JSON (or appear as `null`).	string

Code	HTTP Status Code	Description
INVALID_REQUEST_EXCEPTION	400	The request was malformed.
UNAUTHORIZED_REQUEST_EXCEPTION	403	The request was not authorized.
UNSUPPORTED_MEDIA_TYPE	415	The server does not support the requested media type.
THROTTLING_EXCEPTION	429	Too many requests to the Alexa Voice Service.
INTERNAL_SERVICE_EXCEPTION	500	Internal service exception.
N/A	503	The Alexa Voice Service is unavailable.