Pinterest API Error ReferenceComplete troubleshooting guide with solutions

Comprehensive reference for Pinterest API errors. Find solutions and troubleshoot common integration issues.

8 error codes
4 categories
API v5

Error Categories

Video

2 errors

Authentication

2 errors

Rate Limit

2 errors

Media

2 errors

All Error Codes

#Video

cover_image_urluser-error

When uploading a video to Pinterest, you must also provide a cover image.

Solution:

Pinterest requires a cover image for all video pins. Provide both cover_image_url and cover_image_content_type when uploading videos. The cover image should be JPG or PNG.

cover_image_content_typeuser-error

When uploading a video to Pinterest, you must also provide a cover image.

Solution:

Specify the cover image content type (image/jpeg or image/png) along with the cover_image_url. Both fields are required for video uploads.

#Authentication

unauthorizedrefresh-token

Pinterest access token is invalid. Please reconnect your Pinterest account.

Solution:

Your Pinterest access token is no longer valid. This can happen after token expiration or if you revoked app access. Reconnect your account in settings.

invalid tokenrefresh-token

Pinterest access token is invalid. Please reconnect your Pinterest account.

Solution:

Your authentication token is malformed or expired. Go to your account settings and reconnect your Pinterest account to get a new valid token.

#Rate Limit

429retry

Pinterest rate limit reached. Please try again later.

Solution:

You've exceeded Pinterest's rate limits. Pinterest has daily and hourly rate limits. Wait for the rate limit to reset (typically within an hour) before retrying.

rate limitretry

Pinterest rate limit reached. Please try again later.

Solution:

Pinterest enforces rate limits to prevent API abuse. Reduce the frequency of your requests and implement exponential backoff in your retry logic.

#Media

invalid mediauser-error

Media format not supported by Pinterest. Please use JPG, PNG for images or MP4 for videos.

Solution:

Pinterest supports: Images (JPG, PNG), Videos (MP4, MOV). Convert your media to one of these supported formats before uploading.

unsupported formatuser-error

Media format not supported by Pinterest. Please use JPG, PNG for images or MP4 for videos.

Solution:

Use supported formats - Images: JPG or PNG. Videos: MP4 or MOV with H.264 codec. Ensure your files meet Pinterest's technical specifications.

Best Practices

Error Handling

  • Implement automatic retries for rate limit and service errors
  • Store refresh tokens securely and handle token refresh flows
  • Log all errors with context for debugging
  • Show user-friendly error messages in your UI

Prevention Tips

  • Validate content before sending to Pinterest API
  • Compress images and optimize media before upload
  • Implement rate limiting in your application
  • Monitor Pinterest Platform Status regularly

Need Help with Pinterest Integration?

Our API handles cover image requirements and media validation automatically.