BDM Documentation

Documentation Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Guide

Find solutions to common issues and errors. Get your BDM AI Writer working smoothly with step-by-step troubleshooting instructions.

Common Issues

API Errors Generation Issues WordPress Issues Performance Issues

What's Covered in This Guide

API Connection Errors

Error: Invalid API Key

Message: "The API key provided is invalid or expired"

Solutions:

  1. Verify you copied the entire API key (including all characters)
  2. Check for extra spaces before or after the key
  3. Ensure the key hasn't been revoked in your provider dashboard
  4. Confirm you're using the correct provider (OpenAI vs Anthropic)
  5. Generate a new API key if the old one was compromised

Error: Rate Limit Exceeded

Message: "You have exceeded your API rate limit"

Solutions:

  • • Wait 60 seconds before trying again
  • • Check your current usage in the API provider dashboard
  • • Upgrade to a higher tier plan if you need more requests
  • • Space out content generation requests

Error: Insufficient Credits

Message: "Your account has insufficient credits"

Solutions:

  • • Add payment method to your API provider account
  • • Top up your account balance
  • • Check if your payment method has expired
  • • Review billing settings for any holds or issues

Content Generation Issues

Content Generation is Very Slow

Possible Causes:

  • • Using GPT-4 (slower but higher quality)
  • • Generating very long content (2000+ words)
  • • High API demand periods
  • • Network connectivity issues

Solutions:

  • • Switch to GPT-3.5 Turbo for faster generation
  • • Generate shorter content pieces
  • • Try again during off-peak hours
  • • Check your internet connection

Generation Times Out

Solutions:

  1. Reduce word count target (try 1000 words instead of 3000)
  2. Simplify your content requirements
  3. Use a faster AI model
  4. Check server timeout settings (if self-hosted)
  5. Try generating content in smaller sections

Generated Content is Poor Quality

Improvements:

  • • Be more specific: Provide detailed topic description
  • • Use better keywords: Add relevant, specific keywords
  • • Choose right model: Use GPT-4 for higher quality
  • • Adjust tone: Match tone to your audience
  • • Edit template: Customize template prompts

WordPress Publishing Issues

WordPress Connection Failed

Checklist:

Test REST API: Visit yoursite.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts - you should see JSON data or post list.

Content Won't Publish

Common Causes & Fixes:

Insufficient Permissions

User needs Editor or Administrator role

Server Timeout

Increase PHP max_execution_time to 300 seconds

Memory Limit

Increase PHP memory_limit to 256M or higher

Security Plugin Blocking

Whitelist BDM AI Writer in security settings

Images Not Uploading

Solutions:

  • 1. Check WordPress upload file size limit (wp-admin → Media → Settings)
  • 2. Verify uploads directory is writable (chmod 755 or 775)
  • 3. Ensure adequate disk space on server
  • 4. Check image file formats are allowed (JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP)

Performance Issues

Slow Interface

  • • Clear browser cache and cookies
  • • Disable browser extensions
  • • Try a different browser
  • • Check internet connection speed
  • • Close unnecessary browser tabs

Database Issues

  • • Optimize database tables
  • • Clear old article drafts
  • • Check database connection
  • • Verify database storage space
  • • Review server error logs

Content Quality Issues

Content is Off-Topic

Fix: Provide more specific topic description and keywords

Instead of "marketing", use "email marketing automation for e-commerce businesses"

Content Has Repetition

Fix: Adjust creativity settings or use different model

Try increasing temperature setting or switching to GPT-4

Content is Too Generic

Fix: Add specific examples, data points, or unique angles in your prompt

Include industry-specific details and target audience information

Billing & Usage Issues

Unexpected High Costs

Cost Reduction Strategies:

  • Use GPT-3.5 Turbo instead of GPT-4 for simple content
  • Set monthly spending limits in API dashboard
  • Generate shorter content pieces
  • Review and optimize your templates
  • Monitor usage in AI Writer dashboard

Usage Tracking Issues

If usage statistics aren't updating correctly:

  1. Check if tracking is enabled in settings
  2. Clear cache and refresh the page
  3. Verify database connection
  4. Check for any cron job issues

Common Error Codes

Error Code Description Solution
401 Unauthorized/Invalid API key Check API key configuration
429 Rate limit exceeded Wait and retry, or upgrade plan
500 Server error Try again later or contact support
503 Service unavailable API provider maintenance
504 Gateway timeout Reduce content length or complexity

Getting Support

Before Contacting Support

To help us resolve your issue quickly, please gather the following information:

System Information

  • • BDM AI Writer version
  • • PHP version
  • • WordPress version (if applicable)
  • • Browser and version

Error Details

  • • Exact error message
  • • Steps to reproduce
  • • Screenshots if possible
  • • When issue started

Documentation

Browse our guides

View Docs →

Email Support

Get help from our team

Contact Us →

Community

Join discussions

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Still Having Issues?

Can't find a solution to your problem? Our support team is ready to help you get back to creating great content.

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