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Troubleshooting Uploaded Files and Knowledge Documents

What to do if your uploaded knowledge files are not working as expected.

Dustin W. Stout avatar
Written by Dustin W. Stout
Updated over 2 weeks ago

If you're experiencing issues with uploaded files or knowledge documents in Magai, this guide will help you troubleshoot common problems. Whether your files are stuck in "pending" status or the AI isn't using your uploaded documents as expected, follow these steps to resolve the issue.

Common Issues and Solutions

1. Check Your Document Status

First, verify the status of your uploaded document in either your workspace or persona settings:

  • Pending Status: The document is still processing and not ready for use

  • Success Status: The document has been processed and is available for the AI to use

  • Failed Status: The upload or processing encountered an error

If your document shows "Pending":

  • Wait 2-5 minutes for processing to complete

  • If it remains pending longer than 5 minutes, the processing has likely failed (even if not explicitly labeled as failed)

  • Delete the file and try uploading again

  • If the issue persists after multiple attempts, contact our support team through the in-app support messenger

Once you've confirmed your document has processed successfully, the next step is ensuring the AI knows how to use it properly.

2. Add Clear Instructions for Document Usage

If your file shows "Success" status but the AI isn't using it, you need to provide explicit instructions telling the AI when, why, and how to use your uploaded documents.

For Workspace Documents:

Add instructions to your workspace custom context, such as:

You have been given access to these files: [list your file names]. You will use these files for the purpose of [specify the purpose, e.g., "answering questions about our company policies," "providing product information," etc.]. Reference these documents whenever users ask questions related to [specify relevant topics].

For Persona Documents:

Add similar instructions to your persona settings:

You have access to uploaded knowledge files containing [describe content]. Use these files when users ask about [relevant topics] or when you need to provide specific information about [subject matter].

Important: Don't leave document usage to chance. Always provide clear, specific instructions about:

  • When the AI should access the files

  • Why it should use them

  • How they should be referenced

  • What topics or questions they relate to

After setting up proper instructions, make sure you're using a compatible AI model that can actually access these files.

3. Verify Your AI Model Supports Actions

Ensure you're using an AI model that has "actions enabled." Models with actions can utilize tools like knowledge retrieval to access your uploaded files.

To check if your model supports actions:

  • Look for models labeled with actions capability

  • Models without actions enabled cannot access uploaded knowledge files

  • Switch to a compatible model if needed

If you've verified all these settings and are still experiencing issues, there are a few additional factors to consider.

Additional Troubleshooting Tips

  • File Format: Ensure your documents are in supported formats

  • File Size: Check that your files aren't too large for processing

  • Content Quality: Make sure uploaded documents contain clear, readable text

  • Network Issues: If uploads fail repeatedly, check your internet connection

When all troubleshooting steps have been exhausted, it may be time to reach out for additional assistance.

When to Contact Support

Reach out to our support team through the in-app support messenger if files continue to fail processing after multiple attempts, you've followed all troubleshooting steps but issues persist, you're experiencing unusual errors or behaviors, or you need assistance with workspace or persona configuration.

Following these troubleshooting steps should resolve most issues with uploaded files and knowledge documents. By ensuring proper file processing, providing clear instructions, and using compatible AI models, you'll be able to make the most of Magai's knowledge retrieval capabilities and enhance your AI interactions with your custom content.

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