Error: DynamoDB BatchWriteItem error

Answered by Rafal Wilinski
What's Causing This Error
The BatchWriteItem operation allows you to put or delete multiple items across multiple tables in a single request. Still, there are some limitations and errors that can occur while using this operation. Some possible causes of the error include the following:
- The request size exceeds the item size limit of 400 KB: Each item in the request must be less than 400 KB in size, so if the request exceeds this limit, the operation will fail.
- The number of items in the request exceeds the batch write limit of 25: The BatchWriteItem operation can only process up to 25 items per request, so if the request exceeds this limit, the operation will fail.
- The table is in a
BACKING_UPstatus: You can't perform any write operations on a table that is in aBACKING_UPstatus. - The table or the index is in an
UPDATINGstatus: You can't perform any write operations on a table or index in anUPDATINGstatus. - The table or the index is being deleted: You can't perform any write operations on a table or index being deleted.
- You're trying to delete a non-existent item: If you're trying to delete an item that doesn't exist in the table, the operation will fail.
- The item's primary key is not provided or invalid: Each item in the request must have a valid primary key, so if the primary key is missing or invalid, the operation will fail.
Solution: Here's How To Resolve It
- Reduce the request size: Make sure each item in the request is less than 400 KB.
- Reduce the number of items in the request: Keep the number of items in the request less than or equal to 25.
- Wait for the table to be in an
ACTIVEstatus: Wait until it is in anACTIVEstatus before performing any write operations on it. - Use the
PutItemorDeleteItemoperation instead: If you only need to put or delete a single item, you can use the PutItem or DeleteItem operation instead of the BatchWriteItem operation.
Other Common DynamoDB Errors (with Solutions)
- dynamodb put function not working
- dynamodb index not found
- Float types are not supported. Use decimal types instead.
- dynamodb: one or more parameter values were invalid: type mismatch for index key
- dynamodb query not returning the full item
- ProvisionedThroughputExceededException DynamoDB
- DynamoDB failedbatch retry
- DynamoDB Expression Not Null
- sls dynamodb install not working
- DynamoDB Local Cannot Create Preexisting Table
- Conditional Update Error DynamoDB
- dynamodb getItem() is not a function
- dynamodb request is missing authentication token
- dynamodb throughput error
- DynamoDB console unable to delete this item
Dynobase is a Professional GUI Client for DynamoDB
Start your 7-day free trial today
Product Features
DynamoDB Tools
DynamoDB Info
© 2026 Dynobase