Deep Dive into Problem: AWS Bedrock ModelNotFoundException – Requested Model is Not Available

Deep Dive into Problem: AWS Bedrock ModelNotFoundException – Requested Model is Not Available

Question

"I'm trying to use AWS Bedrock to list available models and invoke one, but I keep getting this error: ModelNotFoundException: Requested model is not available. I've verified my commands, but the error persists. How can I resolve this?"

Clarifying the Issue

You're encountering a ModelNotFoundException when calling AWS Bedrock APIs, which means the model you are trying to access is either unavailable, misconfigured, or restricted for your AWS account.

This error can be caused by:

• Model Not Deployed in Your Region – Some models are only available in select AWS regions.
• Model Access Not Granted – Certain models require AWS approval or a subscription.
• Incorrect Model Name or Version – Using the wrong model ID or an outdated version.
• AWS Account Restrictions – Not all accounts have immediate access to every Bedrock model.

Why It Matters

AWS Bedrock provides access to foundation models through a managed service, but availability varies by region and account. Ensuring the correct model is available and accessible is crucial to avoid failed API calls and service disruptions.

Key Terms

• AWS Bedrock – A managed service for accessing foundation models via APIs.
• ModelNotFoundException – An error indicating that the requested model is unavailable.
• Service Quotas – AWS-imposed limits on model access and API usage.
• Region Availability – Not all Bedrock models are deployed in every AWS region.

Steps at a Glance

1. Check the list of available models in your AWS region.
2. Verify your account has access to the requested model.
3. Ensure you are using the correct model name and version.
4. Switch AWS regions if the model is not available.
5. Contact AWS Support if access issues persist.
6. Retry your API call after fixing configuration issues.

Detailed Steps

Step 1: Check Available Models in Your Region

AWS Bedrock does not support all models in every region. To verify which models are accessible, run:

Bash

aws bedrock list-foundation-models --region us-east-1

Expected Output (Example)

JSON

{
    "models": [
        {
            "modelId": "anthropic.claude-v1",
            "provider": "Anthropic"
        },
        {
            "modelId": "ai21.jurassic-2-mid",
            "provider": "AI21 Labs"
        }
    ]
}

If your desired model is missing, it is not available in your selected region.

Step 2: Verify Model Access for Your AWS Account

Some models require specific account permissions. Check your access with:

Bash

aws bedrock get-model-access \
    --model-id anthropic.claude-v1 \
    --region us-east-1

Expected Output (If Access Is Granted)

JSON

{
    "modelId": "anthropic.claude-v1",
    "status": "Granted"
}

If access is denied, you may need to request approval from AWS.

Step 3: Ensure the Correct Model Name and Version

Ensure you are using the correct model ID and version by running:

Bash

aws bedrock describe-model --model-id anthropic.claude-v1

Expected Output (Example)

JSON

{
    "modelId": "anthropic.claude-v1",
    "version": "1.0"
}

If the model version is outdated or incorrect, use an available version.

Step 4: Switch AWS Regions If Necessary

If the model is unavailable in your current region, check another AWS region:

Bash

aws bedrock list-foundation-models --region us-west-2

If the model appears in another region, update your AWS CLI profile to use the new region:

Bash

aws configure set region us-west-2

Step 5: Contact AWS Support (If Model Is Unexpectedly Unavailable)

If the model should be available but isn't, check your AWS account limits and contact AWS Support:

Bash

aws support create-case \
    --service-code bedrock \
    --category-code account-configuration \
    --issue-type customer-service \
    --subject "Model Access Issue" \
    --communication-body "I am unable to access model XYZ in region us-east-1."

Step 6: Retry Your API Call

After verifying access and correcting configurations, retry your API call:

Bash

aws bedrock list-foundation-models --region us-east-1

Closing Thoughts

AWS Bedrock enforces model-specific access restrictions that vary by region and account. By following the steps above, you can:

✅ Check Available Models – Ensure your desired model is supported in your AWS region.

✅ Verify Access – Confirm AWS permissions and request approval if needed.

✅ Correct Model Name & Version – Use valid model IDs to prevent errors.

✅ Switch Regions – If the model isn't in your region, try another.

✅ Test API Calls – Verify your fixes by rerunning API requests.

Need AWS Expertise?

If you're looking for guidance on Amazon Bedrock or any cloud challenges, feel free to reach out! We'd love to help you tackle your Bedrock projects. 🚀

Email us at: info@pacificw.com

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