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Best answer

AI by Zapier is producing "Failed to create a results in AI by Zapier" error when using Claude 4.5 Opus model

  • February 3, 2026
  • 5 replies
  • 45 views
S
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I’m attempting to find a solution for this error. My hypothesis is that this is error is being generated because I’m using Claude 4.5 Opus which is slower than other simpler models and the request is timing out. However, I’m not sure that this is the cause. 

I do not want to make the prompt smaller - I’m providing necessary context to get an effective result. I have tried breaking up the task in 2 steps to no avail. I do not want to use the Anthropic step (Send message) instead of AI Zapier because I found that it does not have the flexibility of uploading documents and specifying specific output formats which are necessary for future steps in my Zap.

  1. Can someone help me diagnose with certainty what the error is?
  2. If it is a time out error, is there any way to get around it? I previously asked Support on chat and I was told they cannot change the time out limits on Zapier for specific Zaps.

Thank you very much! Screenshot of error attached:

 

Best answer by sudiksha.dhoot

Thanks all! I actually didn’t end up needing to change anything. It was a timeout issue, as was my hypothesis, but it worked on the live workflow even though it didn’t while testing. 

5 replies

Troy Tessalone
Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
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  • Troy TessaloneZapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • February 3, 2026

Hi ​@sudiksha.dhoot 

Help links for using AI by Zapier in Zap steps: https://zapier.com/apps/ai/integrations#help

 

What the error means in plain language

Zapier tried to send your prompt to the AI model, but the service on the other end did not respond in time.
The 504 error comes from CloudFront, which sits between Zapier and the AI provider.
CloudFront could not connect to the AI server or the server was too slow or unavailable.
This is not caused by your prompt content itself.

Why this happens

  • The AI provider is temporarily down or overloaded.

  • A network hiccup between Zapier and the AI provider.

  • The request took too long, often due to large prompts or multiple knowledge sources.

  • A transient Zapier infrastructure issue.

What you can do to fix it

  1. Retry the step
    This often works if the issue was temporary.

  2. Switch models
    Try a different AI model in the same step.

    1. If Claude 4.5 Opus is selected, test a lighter or alternate model.

  3. Reduce prompt size
    Shorten the prompt.

    1. Remove extra instructions that are not essential.

  4. Trim knowledge sources
    Remove PDFs or documents you do not strictly need.

    1. Large or multiple documents increase latency.

  5. Split the logic
    Instead of one large AI step, break it into two steps.

    1. For example, summarize inputs first, then run coaching logic in a second step.

  6. Test outside preview
    Sometimes preview fails but the live Zap run succeeds.

    1. Turn the Zap on and test with a real record.

  7. Check Zapier status
    If retries keep failing, check Zapier’s status page and try again later.

Key takeaway

This is a connectivity or timeout failure, not a configuration mistake.
Treat it like a temporary outage first.
Optimize payload size and model choice if it keeps happening.

 

⚡ Troy Tessalone - AutomationAce.com | Top Zapier Solution Partner | #1 Zapier Community Contributor
drtanvisachar
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  • drtanvisacharZapier Solution Partner
  • Zapier Solution Partner
  • February 5, 2026

Hello ​@sudiksha.dhoot 

This error indicates the request couldn’t be completed by AI by Zapier at the time it ran.

A few things you can try
Run the preview again after a short wait
Reduce or remove Knowledge Sources to see if the request is too large
Test with a different model to narrow down where it’s failing

If it continues, sharing the XXXXXXXXX and step details with Support or in the Community will help with further troubleshooting.

Dr. Tanvi Sachar
Monday Certified Partner, Tuesday Wizard

 

This post has been edited by a moderator to remove request for Zap ID which should not be shared, as per our Community Code of Conduct.

Zapier Solutions Partner-Tuesday Wizard
SamB
Community Manager
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  • SamBCommunity Manager
  • Community Manager
  • February 9, 2026

Hey there ​@sudiksha.dhoot 👋 Have you had a chance to give the suggestions from Troy and drtanvisachar a try yet?

Let us know how it goes when you do! Want to make sure that AI by Zapier action gets sorted 🙂

S
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  • sudiksha.dhootBeginner
  • Author
  • Beginner
  • Answer
  • February 9, 2026

Thanks all! I actually didn’t end up needing to change anything. It was a timeout issue, as was my hypothesis, but it worked on the live workflow even though it didn’t while testing. 

SamB
Community Manager
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  • SamBCommunity Manager
  • Community Manager
  • February 10, 2026

Thanks for the update ​@sudiksha.dhoot! I’m so glad to hear that your hypothesis was right and it’s been working correctly when running live 😅

I’ll go ahead and mark this as solved, but if those errors come back or if you run into any other trouble, please do reach back out. In the meantime, happy Zapping! ⚡

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