---
"@context": https://schema.org
"@type": TechArticle
"@id": https://www.twilio.com/docs/api/errors/17553#article
headline: "17553: Failed to download media file: unauthorized"
url: https://www.twilio.com/docs/api/errors/17553
inLanguage: en
dateModified: 2026-09-17T18:23:40.000Z
author:
  "@type": Organization
  name: Twilio Developer Education Team
publisher:
  "@type": Organization
  name: Twilio
---

# 17553: Failed to download media file: unauthorized

Log Type: APPLICATION

Log Level: ERROR

## Description

Twilio could not transcribe the audio file because the media URL responded with HTTP status 401 (Unauthorized) or 403 (Forbidden). The transcription is marked as `failed`.

### Possible causes

* The resource is protected and requires credentials.
* A pre-signed URL expired.
* Access credentials were missing from the URL.

### Possible solutions

* Confirm that the media URL is publicly accessible or includes valid, non-expired credentials.
* If you are using a pre-signed URL, regenerate it with an appropriate expiration time.

### Additional resources

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