"[API Error: An unknown error occurred]" in Gemini Code Assist in VSCode

[avi]

I get these errors frequently, sometimes after a short round of actions and sometimes after a long one

[Aciax_Hls]

You’re experiencing frequent errors on Google AI Developers Forum, sometimes after a short or long sequence of actions. This issue might be related to the specific API or service you’re using, or potentially a temporary glitch.

To troubleshoot, you could try:

- *Checking API Limits*: Ensure you’re not exceeding the allowed request limits.

- *Error Handling*: Implement robust error handling to catch and manage errors gracefully.

- *Forum Support*: Reach out to the Google AI Developers Forum support team for more specific guidance.

Have you tried any troubleshooting steps already?

[avi]

Typically, if I exceed my quota, I’ll get an error that specifically tells me that I exceeded my daily quota

The generic “unknown error occurred” errors happen randomly. Sometimes I can bypass them by prompting “continue”, which will get a meaningful response out of the agent. Other times, after prompting “continue”, it will appear to think indefinitely, in which case I lose my patience and use Roo Code instead, but generally speaking, I do prefer GCA as it’s more robust in my experience, plus the grounding feature is a killer feature for me

[asd_asd1]

The same problem gives you the freedom of choice due to the reduced use by Google because after only 3 days then the same problem returns

[avi]

Turns out that sometimes the “quota exceeded” error cannot be properly displayed in the UI and thus It will also result in an “unknown error occurred” message

The “unknown error occurred” message is displayed a brief second later

[avi]

Huh, that’s strange, occurred out of the blue

Funny enough, I prompted “retry”, VSCode politely asked me to reopen the window as GCA’s panel became unresponsive and I did, then I pulled the latest chat from the chat history, prompetd “retry”, and it just keeps going as if the error never occurred

I believe that the reason it was able to keep going is that I haven’t exceeded yet my daily Gemini 2.5 Pro quota

[barc_hannibal]

same situation, does this bug fixed ?

[avi]

Despite receiving an update for the extension, I tried to use it, worked for a minute or two and then I got the error, so I guess the answer is no
The thing is that Gemini CLI handles errors much better, it doesn’t remove the response content but instead it appends the server error to the end

[barc_hannibal]

here are website gemini tell me the my error causes, so it is google remote cloud server reject my request maybe :it is concern about the project name ,however, i don’t know how to how to rename the project and it may not the real reason:How to Fix It

You need to enable the API and add the correct IAM (Identity and Access Management) role to your user account in the Google Cloud Console.

1. Go to the Google Cloud Console:

   • Open your web browser and go to the Google Cloud Console.

   • Make sure you are logged in with the same Google account you use for VS Code.

2. Select the Correct Project:

   • At the top of the page, click the project selector.

   • Find and select the project mentioned in the error: eminent-veld-2k0xs.

3. Enable the Cloud AI Companion API:

   • Use the search bar at the top of the console and search for “Cloud AI Companion API”.

   • Click on it and then click the ENABLE button if it’s not already enabled.

4. Grant the Required IAM Permission:

   • Use the search bar to navigate to the IAM & Admin page.

   • On the IAM page, find your user account in the list of “Principals”.

   • Click the pencil icon (Edit principal) next to your user account.

   • Click ADD ANOTHER ROLE.

   • In the “Select a role” filter, type Cloud AI Companion User and select it from the list. * Click SAVE.

5. Restart and Retry:

   • Close and reopen VS Code to make sure it picks up the new permissions.

   • Try using the Gemini assistant again. It should now work.

Note: IAM changes can sometimes take a minute or two to take effect. If it doesn’t work immediately, wait a couple of minutes and try agai

[avi]

Sometimes I receive the error in the original post, other times I see this error but it doesn’t immediately disrupt the chat

[William_Johnson]

Just Go To

Then Find The Link That Looks Like A Auth Link It Will Say Something like not verified visit here and it will ask for 2fa like add a phone number add it it will say unlocking if its not there check all the gemini debug sections like debug or just code assist

[yogithesymbian]

hello i am newbie on google cloud start from february, learn from january (JuaraGCPS12).

i am not sure why i still get same issue
what i have done:

1. IAM & Admin / IAM : (and already enable API Gemini for Google Cloud)

Yogixxxxxx
Gemini Enterprise Admin
Gemini Enterprise Editor (Beta)
Gemini Enterprise User
Gemini Enterprise Viewer (Beta)
Gemini for Google Cloud User
Organization Administrator
Owner
Project Mover
Service Account API Key Binding Admin
Service Usage Admin
Service Usage Consumer
Storage Admin

Here is my log on VSCode: ( i see on Deprecated IAM permissions  |  Gemini for Google Cloud  |  Google Cloud Documentation its deprecated )

[Routing] Selected model: gemini-2.5-pro (Source: agent-router/override, Latency: 0ms)
	[Routing] Reasoning: Routing bypassed by forced model directive. Using: gemini-2.5-pro
Error when talking to Gemini API Full report available at: /var/folders/r6/22b4k7lj153bjq7dscybtktc0000gn/T/gemini-client-error-Turn.run-sendMessageStream-2026-02-21T07-24-05-179Z.json _GaxiosError: [{
  "error": {
    "code": 403,
    "message": "Permission 'cloudaicompanion.companions.generateChat' denied on resource '//cloudaicompanion.googleapis.com/projects/project-xxxxxxxxx/locations/global' (or it may not exist).",
    "errors": [
      {
        "message": "Permission 'cloudaicompanion.companions.generateChat' denied on resource '//cloudaicompanion.googleapis.com/projects/project-xxxxxxxxx/locations/global' (or it may not exist).",
        "domain": "global",
        "reason": "forbidden"
      }
    ],
    "status": "PERMISSION_DENIED",
    "details": [
      {
        "@type": "type.googleapis.com/google.rpc.ErrorInfo",
        "reason": "IAM_PERMISSION_DENIED",
        "domain": "cloudaicompanion.googleapis.com",
        "metadata": {
          "resource": "projects/project-xxxxxxxxx/locations/global",
          "permission": "cloudaicompanion.companions.generateChat"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

2. on VSCode i already sign in / sign out ( relogin ) , re-select project project-xxxxxxxxx

but the error is still same …

on google cloud i already use Gemini Enterprise Mode .

i am not sure if my VScode already correct settings or not but what i know is 2 :

1. i already sign in
2. i already pick project id / set it on settings (search gemini) i put on Geminicodeassists: Project

without enable Agent i can chat gemini on my VSCode .

with enable Agent i only get the erros .

and i am confusing on settings google cloud like code customization, agents and tools , already linked to github add repostiory then what ? the docs is not completed so i am not understand how to use this Gemini to Perfect perform as full feature with automatically .

subscriptions:

Gemini Code Assist	Enterprise

there is not tour guide for first time for the settings . if some1 have video tutorial with my case please share ..

sorry my bad grammer .. you can use ai to fix my english grammer ..