Amazon Listing Errors: Error 18738: ‘A problem was encountered while processing your submission

Error Description

The "Error 18738: A problem was encountered while processing your submission" indicates that Amazon's system encountered an issue while attempting to process your product listing submission. This error can result from various factors, such as incorrect data formatting, missing required fields, or technical glitches within Amazon's system. Resolving this error requires identifying and correcting the specific issue that caused the submission to fail.

Common Causes:

Formatting Errors: Incorrect formatting of data fields such as prices, weights, or dimensions.
Missing Required Information: Omission of essential fields or attributes necessary for the product listing.
System Glitches: Temporary technical issues within Amazon's system that disrupt the submission process.
Incorrect Data Types: Using inappropriate data types for specific fields (e.g., text instead of numbers).
Incompatible File Types: Uploading files in formats not supported by Amazon’s system.

Error Solution

To resolve the "Error 18738: A problem was encountered while processing your submission" on Amazon, follow these steps:

Review Amazon’s Data Requirements:
- Familiarize yourself with Amazon’s data requirements for product listings. Understand the correct formats, data types, and required fields for your product category.
Identify the Problematic Submission:
- Log in to Amazon Seller Central and locate the submission that encountered the error. Review the error message for any specific details or clues about the nature of the problem.
- Check for any highlighted fields or error codes that can indicate the problematic areas.
Correct Formatting Errors:
- Ensure that all data fields are correctly formatted according to Amazon’s guidelines. Common formatting errors include incorrect price formats (e.g., using commas instead of periods), improper weight or dimension units, and incorrect date formats.
- Use standard data formats and units that comply with Amazon’s requirements.
Complete Missing Information:
- Verify that all required fields are filled out. Ensure that no essential information is missing from your product listing.
- Double-check attributes such as product titles, descriptions, prices, images, and category-specific fields.
Validate Data Types:
- Ensure that each field contains the appropriate data type. For example, numeric fields should contain only numbers, and text fields should contain text without special characters.
- Correct any discrepancies in data types that may cause submission failures.
Check File Types and Compatibility:
- If you are uploading files, ensure they are in the correct format and compatible with Amazon’s system. Commonly accepted formats include CSV, XML, and TXT.
- Convert or reformat files as needed to meet Amazon’s specifications.
Resubmit the Corrected Data:
- After making the necessary corrections, resubmit the product listing through Amazon Seller Central. Ensure that all changes are saved and the listing is correctly formatted.
- Monitor the submission process to confirm that the error has been resolved and the listing is successfully processed.
Retry Submission if Necessary:
- If the issue persists, try resubmitting the data after some time, as it could be a temporary system glitch. Ensure that all previous steps have been followed to correct any data-related issues.
- Consider submitting the data in smaller batches to identify if specific parts of the data are causing the issue.
Contact Amazon Support:
- If you encounter any issues during the resubmission process or need further assistance, contact Amazon Seller Support. Provide detailed information about the error, the steps you have taken, and any relevant documentation.
- Engage with Amazon seller forums and communities to seek advice from other sellers who might have faced similar issues.

Pro Tip

Advanced Strategies for Managing Product Submissions on Amazon:

Implement Data Validation Tools:
- Use data validation tools to automate and streamline the process of checking data accuracy before submission. These tools can help ensure that all necessary steps are taken promptly and accurately.
- Integrate these tools with your inventory management system to ensure seamless data synchronization and avoid submission-related issues.
Standardize Data Entry Procedures:
- Develop standardized procedures for entering and managing product data to ensure consistency and compliance across all listings. Use predefined templates and workflows for data management.
- Regularly update these procedures to reflect any changes in Amazon’s requirements or your own data management practices.
Use Product Information Management (PIM) Systems:
- Implement a PIM system to centralize and manage all product data. PIM systems help ensure that data is accurate, complete, and consistently formatted across all platforms.
- Integrate your PIM system with Amazon to synchronize data automatically and prevent errors.
Conduct Regular Data Audits:
- Perform regular audits of your product data to ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with Amazon’s guidelines. Use audit reports to track compliance and address any recurring issues.
- Schedule periodic audits to identify and correct any issues with data submissions.
Educate Your Team:
- Train your team on best practices for managing product data and ensuring compliance with Amazon’s guidelines. Ensure they understand the importance of accurate data entry and following standardized procedures.
- Provide guidelines and checklists to help your team review and update product data effectively.
Monitor Regulatory Changes:
- Regularly review updates from Amazon and industry standards regarding data management. Stay informed about any changes that might affect your listings.
- Participate in industry forums and communities to learn from other sellers and share best practices.
Optimize Bulk Editing Tools:
- Use Amazon’s bulk editing tools to update product data for multiple listings simultaneously. Ensure that bulk updates are accurately configured and comply with platform guidelines.
- Validate bulk editing files before uploading to minimize the risk of errors.
Use Automation for Data Management:
- Implement automation tools to manage data entry and verification processes related to product data. Automation reduces the risk of manual errors and ensures that data is consistently accurate.
- Tools like Zapier or Integromat can integrate with your e-commerce systems to automate data management tasks.
Utilize Competitor Analysis:
- Analyze competitor listings to understand how they manage product data within the platform’s limits. Use this insight to refine your own strategy.
- Identify successful patterns and adapt them to your products.
Stay Proactive:
- Establish a proactive approach to managing product data by regularly monitoring for any updates or changes in Amazon’s guidelines.
- Ensure that your data management system is flexible and can quickly adapt to new regulations and customer expectations.

By following these strategies and maintaining a proactive approach to managing product submissions, sellers can minimize the risk of "Error 18738: A problem was encountered while processing your submission" on Amazon, ensuring accurate and compliant product listings. Proper management of product data not only helps in preventing errors but also enhances overall visibility, searchability, and sales performance on the platform.

View error on Amazon

Amazon Error: 18738 Error 18738: ‘A problem was encountered while processing your submission

Error Description

Error Solution

Pro Tip

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