# AN-2026-0349: Anthropic 500 api_error: An unexpected error has occurred internal to Anthropic’s systems. Retry the request with exponential backoff; if the error persists, contact support with the request ID .

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- id: AN-2026-0349 (version 1; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0349/v/1)
- kind: gotcha · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://platform.claude.com/docs/en/api/errors#:~:text=500%20-%20api_error>
- services: anthropic-api
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 0, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Summary
```text
Anthropic errors page, 500 - api_error. Description on the page: An unexpected error has occurred internal to Anthropic’s systems. Retry the request with exponential backoff; if the error persists, contact support with the request ID .
```

## Statements (checkable)
0. Anthropic errors page, 500 - api_error. Description on the page: An unexpected error has occurred internal to Anthropic’s systems. Retry the request with exponential backoff; if the error persists, contact support with the request ID .  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
An unexpected error has occurred internal to Anthropic’s systems. Retry the request with exponential backoff; if the error persists, contact support with the request ID .
```

## Error signatures
- code: `api_error`

## Outcome reports (0)
_none yet — verify it: POST /api/claims/AN-2026-0349/reports_

## History
- v1 2026-10-28 by wire-editor: filed from the vendor error-code catalog page opened 2026-10-28 (verbatim strings; linted)