> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.chief.bot/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# My file won't process or isn't ready

> Every File moves through: Queued → Processing → Indexing → Ready.

## Symptoms

* A File is stuck at **Queued for upload**, **Processing**, or **Indexing** and never reaches **Ready**.
* You see **File type is not supported** or **File size exceeds the maximum allowed size**.
* The File shows **Insufficient credits** — "Chief ran out of credits to process this File."
* **Download** or **Rename** is greyed out: "available when processing is complete."

## What the stages mean

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chief-2d405d1a/BBGD1uH7sfT84ugx/images/help/library-asset-detail.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=BBGD1uH7sfT84ugx&q=85&s=0e3cb8aec51a9b206f29dbdab8ea8c4f" alt="Chief - the File Detail panel where you check a File's status and download it" width="1148" height="1412" data-path="images/help/library-asset-detail.png" />
</Frame>

Every File [moves through](/help/your-knowledge-library/file-size-limits-processing-stages): **Queued** → **Processing** → **Indexing** → **Ready**.

* **Queued for upload** / **In queue for processing** — waiting its turn.
* **Processing** — "Processing your file so you can chat with it."
* **Indexing** — "Ready for simple chats with just this file." You can already ask about it.
* **Ready** — "Ready for complex chats with this file alongside all your knowledge."

## Likely causes

* The file is larger than [the upload limit](/help/your-knowledge-library/uploading-files-supported-file-types) (100MB).
* The file type isn't supported.
* The project ran out of credits, so processing can't run.
* A large file or a busy queue is just taking longer than usual.

## Solution

**Option A — "Insufficient credits" on the File.**

1. On the File showing **Chief ran out of credits to process this File**, click [**top up your credits**](/help/plans-credits-billing/refilling-credits).
2. After topping up, click **Try Again** on the File. Its status changes to **Queued** and processing restarts.

**Option B — "File type is not supported" or "File size exceeds the maximum."**

1. Confirm the file is within the **100MB** limit. If it's bigger, split it or compress it, then re-upload.
2. If the type is unsupported, convert it to a common format (for example, export to PDF) and upload again.
3. On the upload error, you can click **try the file again**, or click **Get Help** to reach support.

**Option C — It's just taking a while.**

1. If the File sits at **Indexing**, you can already [start a simple chat scoped to that one File](/help/your-knowledge-library/chatting-with-one-file-vs-many-files-together) while full indexing finishes.
2. For large files, give it a few minutes. [**Download** and **Rename**](/help/your-knowledge-library/renaming-moving-copying-deleting-files) unlock once it reaches **Ready**.

<Note>
  ℹ️ **Good to know:** A File at **Indexing** is already usable for a quick chat about just that File. Waiting for **Ready** only matters when you want Chief to reason across it together with the rest of your knowledge.
</Note>

## Still stuck?

If a File stays stuck well past a few minutes with credits available and a supported type under 100MB, use [**Get Help**](/help/help-feedback-whats-new/getting-help-in-chief) on the upload error, or email **[support@chief.bot](mailto:support@chief.bot)** with the file name.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I topped up credits but the File still shows the old error.">
    Topping up doesn't auto-restart a File that already failed. Click **Try Again** on that File — it should re-queue and show **Queued**, then move through processing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why can't I rename or download my File yet?">
    Both actions are locked until processing completes — "Rename is available when processing is complete" and "Download is available when processing is complete." Wait for **Ready**, then try again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My retry says &#x22;Retry failed.&#x22; What now?">
    That means the re-queue didn't take. Confirm credits are available and the file is a supported type under 100MB, then try once more. If it keeps failing, contact support with the file name.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>