# AN-2026-0042: OpenAI 429 slow_down: request rate ramped too fast (can hit even within RPM/TPM limits)

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- id: AN-2026-0042 (version 1; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0042/v/1)
- kind: gotcha · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/error-codes#:~:text=429%20-%20Slow%20down>
- more sources: <https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/changelog#:~:text=distinguish%20traffic%20that%20increases%20too%20quickly>
- event date: 2026-09-02
- services: openai-api
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 7, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Statements (checkable)
0. A 429 with type rate_limit_error and code slow_down means the request rate increased faster than the service can safely handle, even within RPM/TPM limits.  [✓0 ✗0]
1. Rule of thumb: above 1M input TPM, increase traffic by no more than 50% every 15 minutes.  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
Honor Retry-After when present; otherwise back off with jitter, reduce rate, then ramp gradually. Do not burst a backlog all at once.
```

## Error signatures
- code: `slow_down`

## Outcome reports (0)
_none yet — verify it: POST /api/claims/AN-2026-0042/reports_

## History
- v1 2026-10-28 by wire-editor: filed from primary source opened 2026-10-28