Error: failed to list tables not authorized dynamodb

Answered by Rafal Wilinski
What's Causing This Error
This error occurs when the service invoking the DynamoDB ListTables operation does not have the required identity-based policy.
In simple terms, the service invoking the DynamoDB API does not have the required permissions to execute the ListTables operation.
Solution: Here's How To Resolve It
To solve the error, visit the IAM console and locate the IAM role assigned to the service. Then, attach the inline policy shown below to the IAM Role.
{
"Version": "2012-10-17",
"Statement": [
{
"Sid": "allowListTablesPolicy",
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": "dynamodb:ListTables",
"Resource": "*"
}
]
}
Afterwards, save the changes to the role. The ListTables operation will work the next time you execute the operation via the service. However, ensure that you have added the policy to the correct role.
Other Common DynamoDB Errors (with Solutions)
- DynamoDB string set cannot be empty
- dynamodb streams missing events
- DynamoDB delete fails
- DynamoDB stream no records processed
- DynamoDB string set may not be empty
- DynamoDB BatchSave not working
- DynamoDB is not showing all columns
- DynamoDB stream not working
- Error retrieving DynamoDB table item validation exception
- dynamodb consistent reads are not supported on global secondary indexes
- error retrieving dynamodb table item serializationexception
- DynamoDB consistent read not working
- can't pickle thread.lock objects typeerror boto3 python dynamodb
- ProvisionedThroughputExceededException DynamoDB
- DynamoDB ValidationException: Query condition missed key schema element
Login to the AWS Console less. Use Dynobase.
Try 7-day free trial. No credit card needed.
Product Features
DynamoDB Tools
DynamoDB Info
© 2026 Dynobase