Intermittent problems creating clips via API

API
1

I’m experiencing a problem when trying to create clips via the Twitch API on some specific channels. Here are the details:

  • When using the clip creation API (POST https://api.twitch.tv/helix/clips), I frequently get the error: { “error”: “Service Unavailable”, “status”: 503, “message”: “” }

  • This error only occurs on some channels, even when using a valid token with the scope clips:edit.

  • The behavior is intermittent: sometimes the clip is created, but 99% of the time it doesn’t work.

Resolution attempts:

  • I have validated that the token and broadcaster ID are correct.
  • The problem occurs even with a new token generated.
  • I have monitored the rate limit headers to avoid overruns.

Observed behavior:
The API works normally on some channels, but returns error 503 consistently on others.

I would like to know if there is an issue related to the clip creation limit or the specific configuration of certain channels that could be causing this behavior. If necessary, I can provide more details or request logs to help with the investigation.

2

Just means the service is temorarily unavailable on twitch side and the first party clip button on the player would also not work.

Just give it a second and retry or note the uptime timestamp for another time

It could be related to people on the enhanced broadcasting beta, but you didn’t site any channels to go poking.

So even then it’s a problem twitch’s side with regards to the new stuff being testing and will get fixed in time.

1 Like
3

I noticed that on my friend’s channel (I’m a moderator) this error has been appearing since the beginning of December. Yesterday I managed to create a clip a few seconds after the broadcast started, then after a few seconds the error reappeared.

And the clip creation button has always worked perfectly.

So there’s nothing I can do but wait, right?

Channels that I tested and were unable to create the clips: pants_jpeg and nathanmad77

4

I’m experiencing the same issue. It’s only certain channels, but those channels are consistently returning the below response via the https://api.twitch.tv/helix/clips API:

{
    "error": "Service Unavailable",
    "status": 503,
    "message": ""
}

Web UI clips work, but the UI is using the GQL endpoint, which would explain the different behavior. Any update on why this may be happening?

1 Like
6

I’m experiencing the same problem and can’t find any solution.

7

I have the same problem since about two weeks