[BUG] Image base64 size (8.4 MB) exceeds API limit (5.0 MB). Please resize the image before sending.

[DineshNarra]

Preflight Checklist

• I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

constantly running into the error - Image base64 size (8.4 MB) exceeds API limit (5.0 MB). Please resize the image before sending. ' though the size of the image is less. opening a new window also doesn't fix this.

What Should Happen?

Claude for Vs code asks for screenshot and when i provide one, it throws me an error and gets stuck.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Claude Model

Other

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

2.1.11

Claude Code Version

2.1.11

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

No response

[github-actions]

Found 3 possible duplicate issues:

1. [BUG] Image base64 size error persists #19701
2. [Bug] Anthropic API Error: Image Upload Size Blocking All Message Attempts #8039
3. Image Upload Exceeds 5 MB Size Limit in API Request #2104

This issue will be automatically closed as a duplicate in 3 days.

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🤖 Generated with Claude Code

[snap-seo]

This is just a new version of the image bug they had previously. Its consistent yet Anthropic won't fix it. it literally breaks all chats, previously one could compact it and it would work again but I dunno a fix now

[reyequis]

This is just a new version of the image bug they had previously. Its consistent yet Anthropic won't fix it. it literally breaks all chats, previously one could compact it and it would work again but I dunno a fix now

See my workaround until it’s fixed.

[bracketcoder]

Image base64 size (19.9 MB) exceeds API limit (5.0 MB). Please resize the image before sending. (Same Bug)

[DineshNarra]

I just stopped using images entirely unless its a small snippet. Claude losses context with every compact session yet carry forwards the image size. This requires some fundamental fixing at anthropic. Lets wait for their response on this bug. hope it gets resolved soon.

[AbuMalik0]

its frustrating

[snap-seo]

Its very fustrating and it got better a little bit in recent updates but its still not worth using multi format, however sometimes it helps trumendously for different work flows.

Maybe if they used a real human instead of claude code to fix it...?

[threesixtyat]

same here on latest version. worked fine in the last days but suddenly stopped today

[zycko-app]

same