How to Resolve AWS Bedrock Operation Not Allowed Error

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If you are seeing the “ValidationException: Operation not allowed” error when trying to use Amazon Bedrock, don’t worry. This message can come from a few different issues, but most are easy to fix once you know what to check.

First, make sure you have requested access to the specific model you want to use. Even if your permissions look correct, you need to actively ask for access by visiting the Amazon Bedrock console. On the left menu, find “Model access” under “Bedrock configurations.” Click on “Modify model access,” then select the models you want. After submitting your request, wait for approval before trying to use the models again.

Some models require you to fill out a form with your intended use case, especially for models like Anthropic’s Claude. Filling out this form is necessary before you can gain access.

Next, double-check your IAM permissions. Your user or role needs the right rights to work with Amazon Bedrock. Review your permissions to confirm you have the necessary access. Also, verify that any linked IAM roles have the correct permissions and trust relationships set up correctly. If your organization has policies or service control policies, make sure they’re not blocking access to these models.

Another common problem is region restrictions. Not every model is available in all regions, so ensure you’re working in a supported region for the model you want to use.

Finally, check if your account has the proper authorization for features like batch inference. Some functionalities might be limited based on your account setup.

If you follow these steps and still get the error, contacting AWS Support is the best next move. They can help troubleshoot account-specific restrictions that might be blocking your access.

By carefully reviewing these areas — model access requests, form submissions, permissions, regional availability, and account authorization — you should be able to resolve the “Operation not allowed” error and start using Amazon Bedrock smoothly.