# General error messages

Use an error list to read the messages the application displays together. `Each supplied error value is rendered as a separate list item.` Authentication status messages tell you whether the
application is still checking authentication or is waiting to reconnect.

Use this page when a message appears and you need to decide whether to wait, continue, or
open the related task or help page.

| If you need to… | Go to |
|---|---|
| Identify the message you see | [Recognize and respond to a message](#recognize-and-respond-to-a-message) |
| Handle an error that remains on screen | [When an error persists](#when-an-error-persists) |
| Resolve a sign-in message | [Sign in](doc:sign-in) |
| Resolve a registration message | [Create an account](doc:create-an-account) |
| Read about authentication and loading status messages | [Authentication and loading messages](doc:authentication-and-loading-messages) |
| Read about loading and unavailable states | [Loading and unavailable states](doc:loading-and-unavailable-states) |
| Review common application issues | [Common issues and solutions](doc:common-issues-and-solutions) |
| Get general help | [Getting help](doc:getting-help) |

## Before you start

**Prerequisites**

- If the header shows `Loading...`, allow the authentication check to continue.
- If the header shows `Connecting...`, the application is retrying authentication.

## Recognize and respond to a message

Use this procedure to identify the message branch and follow the supported response.

**Prerequisites**

- You can see the message on the current page or in the header.

**Steps**

1. Read the message exactly as it appears.
2. Match the message to the action you need:

   | If you see… | Do this |
   |---|---|
   | An error list | Read each list item before deciding what to correct. |
   | `Loading...` | Wait while authentication is checked. |
   | `Auth unavailable - retrying automatically` or `Connecting...` | Wait for the automatic authentication retry. |

3. Continue with the current task when the message clears.
4. Open [When an error persists](#when-an-error-persists) when the message remains on
   screen.

**Result:** You have identified the message branch and either continued when the message
cleared or moved to persistent-error guidance.

## When an error persists

A persistent error remains after the application has handled the action or authentication
check.

| What you see | What it means | Next page |
|---|---|---|
| One or more messages in an error list | The page received error values. | [Common issues and solutions](doc:common-issues-and-solutions) |
| `Auth unavailable - retrying automatically` with `Connecting...` | Authentication is temporarily unavailable and the application is retrying. | [Loading and unavailable states](doc:loading-and-unavailable-states) |
| A sign-in error | The sign-in form owns the authentication error area. | [Sign in](doc:sign-in) |
| A registration error | The registration form owns the authentication error area. | [Create an account](doc:create-an-account) |
The application classifies 4XX responses from its authentication check as invalid
authentication. It treats 5XX or network responses as temporarily unavailable, keeps the
authentication token for retry, and schedules automatic retries.

**Result:** You know which related page to open for the message that remains on screen.