Practical guide to fix Janitor AI Proxy Error 429: causes, quick fixes, developer backoff code, and long-term solutions.
If you're here, you're probably mid-conversation with your favorite AI character (often when selecting OpenRouter-backed models such as DeepSeek) when bam—Proxy Error 429 pops up and ruins the fun. This guide explains what the error means, how to fix it right now, and how to stop it from coming back. Follow the Quick Fix box first, then read the deeper sections if you need more details.
1. Re-enter your OpenRouter / provider API key in Janitor AI settings (remove, save, paste again) — many users get immediate relief.
2. Switch model from any: free variant (e.g., deepseek-chat-v3-0324:free) to an alternate model (Qwen, R1, GLM).
3. Wait 5–15 minutes and retry (transient upstream congestion is common).
429 = Too Many Requests — you’re being rate-limited by an upstream layer (OpenRouter → provider → model).
This often happens on free/shared tiers or during peak traffic; failed attempts may still count toward daily limits.
Short-term fixes: refresh key, switch model, wait, or add small paid credits.
Long-term: use a direct provider account, implement exponential backoff, set monitoring & fallbacks.
Note: Quota numbers change. Where exact caps are mentioned (e.g., 50 messages/day on free tiers as of July 2025), verify them in OpenRouter/Janitor docs — they are subject to change.
First, what exactly is this error? Proxy Error 429, also known as "Too Many Requests," is an HTTP status code that means you've exceeded the rate limits set by the server or API provider.
In Janitor AI, this typically happens when you're using proxy services like OpenRouter to connect to AI models (e.g., DeepSeek or GLM). Janitor AI often routes model requests through OpenRouter (and further to providers such as Chutes). That creates multiple quota/prioritization layers:
Janitor AI (UI) → OpenRouter (proxy/aggregation) → Provider (e.g., Chutes) → Model (e.g., DeepSeek)
Each layer can enforce rate limits or prioritization. Free/shared traffic routed through proxies may be deprioritized compared to direct paying customers — causing 429s even if your local usage looks small.
429 on the very first request often indicates provider-side caps or an invalid/stale key.
According to feedback from Reddit, official Janitor AI help docs (updated as of August 2025), and community forums, here are the top reasons:
1. Free *:free models at peak times (MOST common)
This matches the overwhelming majority of complaints across Reddit + Janitor Help + model provider logs.
Free queues → overcrowded → 429.
2. Daily/burst quotas being hit (very common)
Even when users think they didn’t hit limits, they actually did due to:
hidden retries
failed requests counting
burst caps
This is the second most common real cause.
3. Upstream provider throttling (common for DeepSeek via Chutes/Targon)
This hits especially:
DeepSeek free
DeepSeek Chat v3
Qwen free
It’s common but still below direct quotas & peak-time issues.
4. Request failures counting as usage (common but secondary)
Not the #1 cause, but frequently explains “I only sent 3 messages” cases.
5. Invalid/Stale API keys (moderately common)
Occurs more often than people admit, especially for users who:
changed keys
switched devices
pasted keys into wrong fields
But still not a top-3 cause.
6. Browser extensions / VPN / shared IP (less common but important)
This is common among technical or privacy-focused users, but overall less common than free-model overload.
7. Rapid UI actions or automation (niche but real)
Only affects specific usage patterns, not the general user base.
8. Provider maintenance/outage (lowest probability)
Rare, but still worth listing for completeness.
| Scenario | Do this now | If persists |
| Single/occasional 429 | Re-enter API key → switch model → wait 5–15m | Add credits or try a different model |
| Repeated 429s (non-critical) | Small OpenRouter top-up or alternative model | Get a direct provider subscription |
| Production/automation | Implement backoff + monitoring + fallbacks | Direct provider + SLA plan |
Copy full JSON error and save it. Look for X-RateLimit-* headers or provider metadata.
Check which model you selected — *:free variants are riskier.
1. Retry After a Delay: Wait 5-10 minutes and try again. For daily resets, quotas refresh at 12:00 AM UTC (or GMT for DeepSeek)—confirm in your dashboard.
2. Refresh your API key in Janitor AI: remove it, save, paste again.
3. Switch to another model (non-free): Qwen, R1, GLM 4.5 Air — many users get responses immediately.
4. Clear browser cache / disable extensions / disable VPN temporarily: some extensions or shared IPs exacerbate proxy behavior.
5. Try another device or browser: desktop Chrome or Firefox often works better.
1. Add credits on OpenRouter: small top-up can significantly reduce 429 frequency.
2. Use a direct provider account: get your own provider key such as Chutes/Targon and plug it into Janitor/OpenRouter/Janitor AI — priority traffic and predictable quotas.
3. Create a low-cost paid plan for production reliability.
4. Create extra OpenRouter keys or accounts: use sparingly to avoid bans.
Priced out of a dedicated plan but still want more stability than free public queues? Try GoProxy shared proxies. Pooled 90M+ residential IPs reduce exposure to the public free queue and simplify integration with Janitor/OpenRouter.
Respect per-second & per-day limits: throttle requests (e.g., avoid bursts, enforce per-minute caps).
Implement exponential backoff + jitter for retries (don’t hammer the endpoint). Exponential backoff dramatically reduces wasted retries and load. Here's a simple Python sample:
import time
import random # For jitter
retries = 0
max_retries = 5
while retries < max_retries:
try:
# Your API request here, e.g., response = make_janitor_ai_request()
break # Success, exit loop
except Exception as e: # Catch 429 specifically if possible
if '429' not in str(e): # Non-retryable error
raise
wait_time = (2 ** retries) + random.uniform(0, 1) # Exponential + jitter
print(f"Rate limited. Retrying in {wait_time} seconds...")
time.sleep(wait_time)
retries += 1
else:
raise Exception("Max retries exceeded")
Inspect X-RateLimit-* headers where available to dynamically adapt (sleep until reset timestamp). Some providers include reset timestamps in metadata.
Fallback logic: rotate models or keys automatically if one returns persistent 429.
Confirm you added credits to the same account Janitor/OpenRouter uses.
You topped up but still 429: the provider may still treat traffic behind a proxy as lower priority. In that case use a direct provider key rather than routing through the intermediary “free bucket.”
OpenRouter/Janitor dashboard shows you’re under quota but errors persist — capture full response JSON and contact OpenRouter/Janitor support with timestamps and request IDs.
Check Usage Logs: In OpenRouter dashboard, monitor your message count. If it's under limit but still erroring, it might be an upstream fault—contact support.
Test with Short Prompts: Long messages count as more "requests," so keep them concise.
Bypass via Direct Integration: If you're tech-savvy, explore Janitor AI's Gemini Proxy Guide for alternative setups, though it's character-specific.
If none work, head to Janitor AI's help center or Reddit's r/JanitorAI_Official for model-specific advice.
Use paid access for production or heavy use (even cheap plans remove most surprises).
Rotate models/keys as fallbacks in your app (if one model is congested, failover to another).
Monitor rate-limit headers and alert when remaining quota is low.
Batch and space requeststo reduce per-minute bursts.
For production: use a direct provider subscription with clear quota and SLA.
Q: Is Proxy Error 429 permanent?
A: No. It’s a rate-limit; it usually resolves when quotas reset or load decreases.
Q: I paid but still get 429s. Why?
A: Providers sometimes prioritize direct paying customers. If you paid via an intermediary free bucket, get a direct provider API key to ensure priority.
Q: Why only on certain models?
A: Popular free model versions are heavily used and therefore more likely to be throttled.
Q: Are there per-minute limits?
A: Yes. Providers often enforce per-second or per-minute burst limits in addition to daily caps.
Q: Can a VPN or shared IP cause 429?
A: It’s possible in setups that apply IP-based collective limits. In Janitor/OpenRouter stacks, provider/plan limits are more common causes.
If you use casually, expect occasional 429s with free models — your quickest win is switching models or adding a small credit/top-up. If you rely on Janitor AI for repeatable or production workflows, invest in a direct provider account and build standard rate-limit handling (inspection of headers + exponential backoff + fallbacks). That combination removes the vast majority of 429 pain.
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