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claude-code - 💡(How to fix) Fix [BUG] Repeated "Image couldn't be processed" API errors consuming usage limit in Claude Code

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Claude Code repeatedly triggered image processing errors that consumed my entire usage limit without producing useful output. After an initial failed attempt to process a base64-encoded image, every subsequent request in the conversation triggered the same error.

Error Message

Image couldn't be processed An image couldn't be read. Rewind to remove it and try a different format. View details API Error: an image in the conversation could not be processed and was removed. Re-read the file with a different approach if you still need it.

Root Cause

Claude Code repeatedly triggered image processing errors that consumed my entire usage limit without producing useful output. After an initial failed attempt to process a base64-encoded image, every subsequent request in the conversation triggered the same error.

Code Example

Image couldn't be processed
An image couldn't be read. Rewind to remove it and try a different format.
View details
API Error: an image in the conversation could not be processed and was removed. Re-read the file with a different approach if you still need it.
RAW_BUFFERClick to expand / collapse

Preflight Checklist

  • I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
  • This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
  • I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

Description

Claude Code repeatedly triggered image processing errors that consumed my entire usage limit without producing useful output. After an initial failed attempt to process a base64-encoded image, every subsequent request in the conversation triggered the same error.

Error Pattern

The following error appeared on every tool invocation after the initial failure:

An image couldn't be read. Rewind to remove it and try a different format. API Error: an image in the conversation could not be processed and was removed. Re-read the file with a different approach if you still need it. Tool calls that triggered the error:

  • Read bg66xakij.output
  • ToolSearch
  • Generic tool usage
  • "Verify image then send all preview emails"
  • "Follow redirect to confirm 200"

Actual Behavior

The error persisted across all subsequent requests, consuming my entire 5-hour usage limit without producing useful work.

Environment

  • Product: Claude Code Desktop MacOS
  • Conversation ID: 215474449845617
  • Date: May 26, 2026
  • MacOS Version 26.3.1 (a) (25D771280a) Claude desktop version: "May 22, 2026 1.8555.1"

Impact

This bug consumed my entire usage allocation, preventing me from completing my work.

What Should Happen?

Expected Behavior

After an image processing error, Claude Code should either:

  • Stop attempting to process the problematic image
  • Allow the conversation to continue without repeatedly triggering the same error
  • Not consume usage credits for repeated error states

Error Messages/Logs

Image couldn't be processed
An image couldn't be read. Rewind to remove it and try a different format.
View details
API Error: an image in the conversation could not be processed and was removed. Re-read the file with a different approach if you still need it.

Steps to Reproduce

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Asked Claude Code to append an image to an email template
  2. Claude Code attempted to read base64-encoded image from /tmp/barberas-email/logo-base64.txt
  3. Initial commands executed:
    • cat /tmp/barberas-email/logo-base64.txt | wc -c (returned 2098)
    • cat /tmp/barberas-email/logo-base64.txt | head -c 100 && echo "..."
  4. Received error: "API Error: an image in the conversation could not be processed and was removed"
  5. Every subsequent request triggered the same error repeatedly

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

No response

Claude Code Version

2.1.140 (Claude Code)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

<img width="1196" height="464" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c40d9415-63ae-42ba-97ec-30cf8c4dc4e0" /> <img width="1210" height="622" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/44a4abd0-e74c-4a13-b636-f82fe68abb27" />

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