Troubleshooting API Timeout Errors and Best Practices

Overview

This article provides guidance on addressing timeout errors when using the REST API, helping users improve API call stability and performance.

Common Causes of Timeout Errors

• Network latency or instability affecting API communication
• Large or complex data payloads exceeding request time limits
• Exceeding API rate limits causing delayed responses or throttling
• Inefficient or long-running queries impacting response times
• Temporary server-side issues or maintenance activities

Diagnostic Steps

1. Check Network Status
   Confirm your network connection is stable. Try pinging the API endpoint or using tools like Postman to isolate connectivity issues.
2. Review Rate Limits
   Company "ACME" enforces rate limiting on API calls to ensure service availability for all users. Exceeding these limits may cause throttling or timeouts. See Company ACME API Rate Limits.
3. Optimize API Calls
   Avoid large batch requests. Paginate data queries, and reduce request payload size where possible.
4. Monitor Logs and Error Codes
   Review response error codes and ACME platform logs for recurring issues or specific error messages.
5. Use webform to Contact Support
   If timeouts persist, provide detailed logs and request escalations for backend infrastructure review.
   • Webform: Click Here

Best Practices to Prevent Timeout Errors

• Use asynchronous calls for large data operations.
• Implement retry logic with exponential backoff in your integration clients.
• Break down operations into smaller chunks when processing bulk data.
• Keep API client libraries up to date.

• Stay informed about scheduled maintenance windows.

Additional Resources

• ACME API Documentation
• Data Quality & Observability Integration Guide
• Community Forums and Support Portal