Why did my Seedance video generation fail?
Seedance error messages on AISeedance25 explained: model limits, uploads, low balance and provider failures, with the fix and whether credits are used.
Last updated: 2026-10-23
Short answer. A Seedance generation on AISeedance25 can stop at three points. Before it starts, a setting or upload outside the model's limits, or a balance below the quoted cost, blocks the request and no credits are used. When it is sent, the provider may be unable to accept requests for a moment. After it starts, the provider can stop the task, for example when a prompt or reference file does not pass its checks. In both of those cases the credits are returned automatically.
Error messages and what to do
| Message | Meaning | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "Prompt is required" or "Prompt is too long (max 8000 characters)" | The prompt is empty or over the limit | Write a prompt, or cut it to 8,000 characters or fewer |
| "Duration must be an integer between 4 and 30 seconds" | The length is outside the model's range | Use 4 to 30 seconds for Seedance 2.5 and 4 to 15 seconds for the Seedance 2.0 models |
| "Quality must be one of: …" or "Pricing is not available for these generation settings" | The model does not offer that resolution | Pick a resolution from the table below |
| "Image-to-video accepts 1 or 2 images (first frame, or first + last frame)" | Wrong number of frame images | Upload one first-frame image, or a first and a last frame |
| "Reference-to-video cannot use audio only; add at least one image or video" | Audio was the only reference | Add an image or video reference |
| "Maximum … reference images" (or videos, or audio clips) | Too many reference files | Remove files until you are within the model's limit |
| "Prompt must identify the target video with @video1" | Edit and extend need to know which video to change | Mention @video1 in the prompt |
| "… too large (max …MB)" or "Unsupported file type" | The upload is too big or in a format the uploader does not accept | Use JPG, PNG or WebP images up to 30 MB, MP4 or MOV video up to 90 MB, and MP3 or WAV audio up to 15 MB |
| "Insufficient credits. This generation requires … credits." | Your balance is below the quoted cost | Shorten the clip, lower the resolution, switch to a cheaper model, or add credits |
| "Video generation is temporarily unavailable. Your credits were returned." | The provider could not accept the request | Wait a few minutes and try again |
| "Video generation failed. Your credits were returned. Please adjust your prompt or try again." | The provider stopped the task after it started | Work through the checklist below |
Only the last two cases reserve credits, and both return them automatically. See what happens to credits when a generation fails.
When the provider stops a task
The provider does not always report why it stopped a task. Check these before you run it again:
- Real people: a recognizable person's face, voice or identity needs their consent under our Acceptable Use Policy, and requests that depict public figures can be refused.
- Protected material: copyrighted characters, brand logos and trademarks you do not have rights to.
- Restricted content: sexual, violent or otherwise unsafe material.
- Damaged files: a reference file that does not open or play correctly. Export it again as a standard JPG, PNG, MP4, MP3 or WAV file and upload the new file.
- One change at a time: simplify the prompt or swap a single reference, then try again. The credits from the failed attempt are already back in your balance.
Model limits on AISeedance25
| Model | Length | Resolution | Reference files (images / videos / audio) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seedance 2.5 | 4–30 s | 480p, 720p | 30 / 10 / 10 |
| Seedance 2.0 | 4–15 s | 480p, 720p, 1080p, 4K | 9 / 3 / 3 |
| Seedance 2.0 Fast | 4–15 s | 480p, 720p | Text prompt only |
| Seedance 2.0 Mini | 4–15 s | 480p, 720p | 9 / 3 / 3 |
Image-to-video takes 1 or 2 images: a first frame, or a first and a last frame. Prompts can be up to 8,000 characters. Seedance 2.5 edit and extend need a target video and @video1 in the prompt.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my Seedance generation fail on AISeedance25?
Either the request broke a model limit or your balance was too low, so it never started and no credits were used, or the provider could not accept or finish the task, so the credits were returned automatically. The message in the generator says which.
Do failed Seedance generations use credits?
No. Rejected requests are never charged, and credits reserved for a task that fails are returned automatically.
What reference files can I upload?
JPG, PNG or WebP images up to 30 MB, MP4 or MOV video up to 90 MB, and MP3 or WAV audio up to 15 MB.
How long can a Seedance video be on AISeedance25?
4 to 30 seconds with Seedance 2.5, and 4 to 15 seconds with Seedance 2.0, 2.0 Fast and 2.0 Mini.