Video generation failures
Recover a video that failed to generate.
Videos, shorts and Voiceovers fail and recover the same way; choose a video product compares them. For podcast Episodes, see episode generation failed.
Card statuses
A failed card in the Videos library shows a red status and a line saying what went wrong. Libraries and card actions lists every status.
| Status | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Needs attention | Another attempt could succeed. Most causes are temporary: a provider timed out, a step stopped early, or another generation was already working on the visuals. | Click Retry generation. |
| Needs attention with a fix link | Something must change first. | Use the link, then Retry generation. |
| Cannot be finished | The same request would fail again: refused wording, an unimportable script, or lines that could not be voiced. | Change the request. There is no retry. |
| Needs visuals | Production finished but the visuals did not. The draft is saved. | Click Retry generation to finish the visuals. |
Fix links:
- Add credits: the generation needs more credits than you have.
- Review sources: a source could not be processed.
- Choose a voice or Create a character: a Character has no usable Voice, or a script names a speaker that is not a saved Character.
A render failure keeps the video editable. To fix refused wording, open the item if it opens, then edit the lines or switch the Character and regenerate, as in edit narration.
Retry generation
A retry continues from where generation stopped. If only the render failed, it renders again; if a script exists, it uses the saved script; otherwise it starts from your original prompt, sources and settings. A Voiceover retry reuses the files you uploaded.
What a failure costs
Credits are held when generation starts.
- Fails before narration and visuals finish: the hold is released and nothing is charged.
- Narration and visuals finish: generation is charged and the editable draft is ready. Rendering happens when you download or share.
- Render fails later: the generation charge stays, and retrying the render is free.
- Some visuals or lines could not be produced: you pay only for what was generated, and the draft opens for you to finish.
A retry is charged only for what it generates. Narration is charged on first voicing, so a retry never pays for it twice. Rates and holds are in understanding credits.
Do not delete to fix a failure
Deleting a failed item and creating a new one repairs nothing. The new item is charged in full and runs the same pipeline with the same settings, so it will likely stop the same way. Start over only when you want a different result, such as a new prompt, orientation or visual style.
Voiceover file errors
Generate does not wait for uploads, so a file that cannot be processed shows up as a failed Voiceover, not when you add it. Retry from the card first. If it fails again, re-export the file and create a new Voiceover from it; see supported files.
If retry keeps failing
If Retry generation fails twice, or a Cannot be finished card’s suggested fix does not help, stop and contact support. Include the link to the failed item and roughly when you first generated it.