---
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"@type": TechArticle
"@id": https://www.twilio.com/docs/api/errors/17551#article
headline: "17551: Failed to download audio file"
url: https://www.twilio.com/docs/api/errors/17551
inLanguage: en
dateModified: 2026-09-17T18:23:40.000Z
author:
  "@type": Organization
  name: Twilio Developer Education Team
publisher:
  "@type": Organization
  name: Twilio
---

# 17551: Failed to download audio file

Log Type: APPLICATION

Log Level: ERROR

## Description

Twilio could not transcribe the audio because it could not download the media file after multiple attempts. The transcription is marked as `failed`.

### Possible causes

* The request to the media host timed out.
* The connection was reset during the download.
* The media host returned a server error.

### Possible solutions

* Verify that the media file is publicly accessible at the specified URL.
* Confirm that the hosting server is online and responsive.
* Make sure the URL uses HTTPS and does not require authentication or IP allow-listing.

### Additional resources

* [Transcribe an external recording](/docs/voice/api/batch-transcription-resource#transcribe-an-external-recording)