LiteLLM / LiteLLM
LiteLLM Missing Retry-After Header on Rate Limit Errors
Fix LiteLLM not returning Retry-After header when all deployments are in cooldown Includes evidence for LiteLLM troubleshooting demand.
- Category
- LiteLLM
- Error signature
No Retry-After header on RouterRateLimitError (all deployments in cooldown)- Quick fix
- Reduce request pressure, check quota or plan limits, and retry with backoff instead of immediate repeated requests.
- Updated
What this error means
No Retry-After header on RouterRateLimitError (all deployments in cooldown) is a LiteLLM failure pattern reported for developers trying to fix litellm not returning retry-after header when all deployments are in cooldown. Based on the imported evidence, treat this as a tool-specific troubleshooting page rather than a generic API error.
Why this happens
Bug report with comment: RouterRateLimitError responses lack Retry-After header when all deployments are in cooldown. Affects clients implementing standard HTTP retry-after semantics.
Common causes
- When LiteLLM’s router hits rate limits and puts all deployments in cooldown, the 429 response doesn’t include a Retry-After header. Clients implementing proper retry logic depend on this header to know when to retry, and its absence causes either immediate retry storms or excessive backoff.
- Bug report with comment: RouterRateLimitError responses lack Retry-After header when all deployments are in cooldown. Affects clients implementing standard HTTP retry-after semantics.
Quick fixes
- Confirm the exact error signature matches
No Retry-After header on RouterRateLimitError (all deployments in cooldown). - Check the LiteLLM account, local tool state, and provider configuration involved in the failing workflow.
- Reduce request pressure, check quota or plan limits, and retry with backoff instead of immediate repeated requests.
Platform/tool-specific checks
- Verify the command, editor, extension, or API client that produced the error.
- Compare local settings with CI, deployment, or editor-level settings when the error appears in only one environment.
- Avoid deleting credentials, local model data, or project settings until the failing scope is clear.
Step-by-step troubleshooting
- Capture the exact error message and the command, editor action, or request that triggered it.
- Check whether the failure is account/auth, quota/rate, model/provider, local runtime, or deployment configuration.
- Review the source evidence below and compare it with your environment.
- Apply one change at a time and rerun the smallest failing action.
- Keep the working fix documented for the team or deployment environment.
How to prevent it
- Keep provider/tool configuration documented.
- Record non-secret diagnostics such as tool version, provider name, model name, and command path.
- Add a lightweight check before CI or production workflows depend on the tool.
Sources checked
Evidence note: Bug report with comment: RouterRateLimitError responses lack Retry-After header when all deployments are in cooldown. Affects clients implementing standard HTTP retry-after semantics.
Related errors
- LiteLLM rate limit cooldown period
- LiteLLM 429 response format
- LiteLLM router retry logic
FAQ
What should I check first?
Start with the exact No Retry-After header on RouterRateLimitError (all deployments in cooldown) text and the smallest action that reproduces it.
Can I ignore this error?
No. Treat it as a failed LiteLLM workflow until the root cause is understood.
Is this guaranteed to have one fix?
No. The imported evidence supports the troubleshooting path above, but tool behavior can vary by account, plan, version, provider, and local configuration.
How do I know the fix worked?
Rerun the same command, editor action, or request. The fix is working when that action completes without No Retry-After header on RouterRateLimitError (all deployments in cooldown).