Overview
An error state occurs when the AI can't perform a user's intended action, resulting in unexpected issues. Error messages are crucial as they offer feedback on what went wrong and how to fix it, turning errors into learning opportunities. Ensuring accessibility is key, especially for users with disabilities, who rely on assistive tools. To enhance user experience, software developers should focus on spotting potential errors, delivering clear error messages, and reducing errors through thorough testing and user input.
When to Use
Use an error state when a user inputs invalid data, forbidden questions or encounters a system issue or service outage, guiding them on what needs correction and providing updates on the situation until it's resolved. This ensures a good user experience and helps prevent input errors or confusion during technical difficulties.
AI Server Errors
An error can occur due to server problems that the LLM (Large Language Model) is currently facing, potentially causing disruptions in its responses and availability. These server-related errors may result from maintenance, high server loads, or technical issues and can impact the model's performance.
- Clearly and concisely explain what went wrong in plain language, avoiding technical jargon or vague terms
- If applicable, include error codes that support or technical staff can use for troubleshooting and debugging.
- Use of cryptic and too technical error messages
- The user has to write the requested prompt again.
No Internet Connection
Another frequently occurring error involves the loss of internet connection during the process of creating an answer or when sending a request to the LLM. It is critical to understand that these interruptions can lead to unfinished or unsuccessful user interactions, which underscores the importance of implementing error handling mechanisms to reduce the consequences of connectivity issues.
Recommended
- Disable the prompt until until the connection is available
- Reconnect automatically and let the AI answer the last question.
Not Recommended
- Blocking/Hiding older message with an illustration or message
Uploading & Downloading
During file uploads and downloads, errors can occur for various reasons. For instance, an error might arise due to a network interruption during the upload process, or the uploaded file exceeding the maximum allowable size. Addressing these potential issues with clear and informative error messages is essential for providing users with frustration-free experience.
- See also AI File Upload
Anatomy
Behavior
Server Error
- 01. Server Error occurs
The user is immediately provided with the information, that the server/database/backend has currently problems and is not able to generate an answer. Also the prompt input is disabled, as long the error persists.
02 Trying to reconnect
To solve the issue the user has the option to click the "Try again" button. As soon as the action is fired, the error message will disappear and the busy state is shown instead. If there is still no connection possible after maximum of 30 seconds, the error message will be shown again.
03 Connection restored
After the connection is successfully restored, the error message will disappear. Instead the answer for the request will be generated and shown. The prompt input is also no longer disabled.
Error while Asking
01 Sending Request
The user has entered the question into the prompt input and clicks on the send button.
02 No Internet Connection
The system recognises that there is currently no internet connection available to process the request. The request will not be send and the prompt input gets disabled. A error message and message strip is shown to inform the user about the missing connection.
03 Connection restored
As soon as there is a internet connection, which is automatically detected by the system, the error messages disappear and the prompt input is enabled again, so the user don't has to type the request again.
Error while Answering
01 Sending Request
The user has entered the question into the prompt input and clicks on the send button.
02 Answer the Request
The systems is starting to gather and process the needed data. Instead of the busy indicator it could also happen that parts of answer are already streamed.
03 Connection lost
The system recognises that there is currently no internet connection available to answer the request. The systems stops processing the answer and the prompt input gets disabled. A error message and message strip is shown to inform the user about the missing connection.
04 Connection restored
As soon as there is a internet connection, which is automatically detected by the system, the error messages disappear and the prompt input is enabled again and the system starts to create an answer for the request.
File Upload
01 File Uploading
The upload of the file has started and it proceeding. See also AI File Upload
02 Error occurs
An error occurs while uploading the file, this can happen for various reasons, including:
- File Size Exceeds Limit
- Unsupported file formate
- Maleware detection
- ...
The reason why it failed should be represented in the error message. The user has the option to retry or delete the file.
03 Retry
If the retry button was clicked, the process starts again from the beginning.