What should I do if I receive a timeout error while waiting for a response from a Bedrock model?

If you receive a timeout error while waiting for a response from a Bedrock model, the first step is to diagnose the cause. Timeout errors typically occur when the client stops waiting for a response because the server took too long to process the request. This could stem from overly strict timeout settings, slow model inference, network latency, or resource constraints. Start by reviewing your client configuration. For example, if you’re using the AWS SDK or a custom HTTP client, check the timeout value set for the request. If the default timeout is too short (e.g., 5 seconds), increase it to a value that aligns with the model’s expected processing time. Bedrock models vary in speed, so test different durations—like 20 or 30 seconds—to find a reliable threshold. Logging the request duration when errors occur can help identify patterns.

Next, optimize your input and model parameters. Large input payloads or complex prompts can slow down inference. For instance, if you’re sending a 10,000-token document for summarization, consider splitting it into smaller chunks or simplifying the query. Additionally, check the model’s configuration settings. Some Bedrock models allow adjusting parameters like max_tokens or temperature, which influence response length and processing time. Reducing max_tokens to generate shorter outputs or using a lower temperature for more deterministic results might speed up inference. If the model supports asynchronous requests, use that mode to avoid blocking your application while waiting for a response. For example, AWS Bedrock’s asynchronous API lets you poll for results later, reducing the risk of client-side timeouts.

Finally, address potential infrastructure or service-side issues. Network latency between your application and Bedrock’s servers can contribute to timeouts. Test connectivity using tools like traceroute or AWS CloudWatch metrics to identify bottlenecks. If you’re running in a cloud environment, ensure your instance has sufficient bandwidth and is in the same region as the Bedrock endpoint. Check Bedrock’s service health dashboard for outages or throttling. If the issue persists, implement retries with exponential backoff in your code. For example, use a library like retrying in Python to retry failed requests with increasing delays between attempts. This approach handles transient errors without overwhelming the service. If all else fails, contact AWS Support with details like request IDs and error logs to investigate service-side problems.