Failure response - 999 blocked

[SWade193]

Some of my recent uploads using the app are returning an error I haven't seen before and I'm having trouble interpreting it. We've been using the app for a few months without this error, and as far as I can tell, there hasn't been any change in workflow or the patron data. About 1/3 of the accounts are processing successfully, but nearly 2/3 are returning this error message:

Failed: Http failure response for https://lynchburg.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/almaws/v1/users/0001324?_=1748873087389: 999 Blocked (0001324, [LAST, FIRST])

Does anyone know what this error means and how to resolve it? Thanks!

[waryjack]

I've encountered the same issue; I think it's the API responding to too many requests; it's not an issue with the Cloud App but with the limits set by Ex Libris.

In my case, I had a 12,000-user CSV file to update, which failed about 1,000 records in. I had to split the CSV into several smaller files (100 users apiece worked; it can probably handle more but I didn't want to push my luck).

[swynnTU]

I"m new to Alma and have just encountered this. We're loading smaller files (ca. 5000 records), but I'm finding that failures start around the 150th record.

So splitting the CSV into smaller files of about 100 records apiece makes sense; but dragging-and-dropping 50+ smaller files -- waryjack in your case 120 smaller files? -- sounds unfun. Is there a way to script delivery of these smaller files to the cloud app?

[ori229]

Sorry to hear about the need to split the files. This doesn’t appear to be an issue with the Cloud App or Alma itself, but rather a network-level limitation: the firewall likely interprets the high number of requests as a potential attack.

For now, aside from splitting the files into smaller batches, I can suggest alternative approaches, such as using the SIS job, or the PowerShell method described here:
https://developers.exlibrisgroup.com/blog/uploading-users-from-excel-file-using-powershell/

I’ll post an update here if I come across any other useful suggestions.

[ori229]

Unfortunately, we haven’t yet been able to get to the bottom of this.
Could one of you please help us by processing a large file and sending us the HAR file?
(Instructions here: https://knowledgebase.paloaltonetworks.com/KCSArticleDetail?id=kA10g000000CmCtCAK

Thanks,
Ori
Alma Dev.

[swynnTU]

HI Ori, Yes I have a HAR file from a patron load using "Alma CSV User Load", where only 4,834 of 5,624 patrons were successfully processed. How would you like me to send the HAR file to you? Steve

…

________________________________ From: ori229 ***@***.***> Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2025 11:42 AM To: ExLibrisGroup/alma-csv-user-load ***@***.***> Cc: Wynn, Stephen ***@***.***>; Comment ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [ExLibrisGroup/alma-csv-user-load] Failure response - 999 blocked (Issue #111) [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/139582?s=20&v=4]ori229 left a comment (ExLibrisGroup/alma-csv-user-load#111)<#111 (comment)> Unfortunately, we haven’t yet been able to get to the bottom of this. Could one of you please help us by processing a large file and sending us the HAR file? (Instructions here: https://knowledgebase.paloaltonetworks.com/KCSArticleDetail?id=kA10g000000CmCtCAK Thanks, Ori Alma Dev. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#111 (comment)>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BUXRWBMGHFD2REF3HFG4AIL3OCWF3AVCNFSM6AAAAAB6NFPLQWVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZTCOJUGQ4TQMRYGE>. You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[ori229]

Excellent! Thanks! Try to drag-and-drop it here. If it doesn't work, you can upload to Google Drive and share a link, or send me by email (ori.miller@clarivate.com). Thanks!

[ori229]

Hi @swynnTU - if it's too big it might not be possible to send it by email - please try with a service such as SendAnywhere or WeTransfer

[swynnTU]

Thanks Ori. Sorry for the delay, I've emailed the HAR file.

[ori229]

All,
These errors were at the network level.
It should be resolved now - please give it a try.
Sorry for the inconvenience this has caused,
Ori