API [Uploads] - Account Storage Limit Reached

When uploading documents with an app, the following error can be returned.

{storage_limit_exceeded: "Account storage limit reached"}

Environment

Custom Box Applications making API calls to upload content.

Steps To Resolve

Identify the user who owns (owned_by) the parent folder where the document is to be uploaded, and check the user's space_amount vs space_used. The space_amount can be updated via the Update User API Call.

If uploading to Folder ID "0" (the root folder), then the owner of the folder is the user who is associated with the access token. This can be found by the Get Current User API Call.

Note: When using Server Authentication, you may be using an access token for the Service Account. It can sometimes be easier to update the Service Account via the Bulk Edit Tool in the Admin Console (requires admin privileges). More info under "Root Cause: How Do I Set the Storage for Service Accounts?"

Root Cause

The parent folder owner's storage is full.

Free developer accounts have a 10 GB storage cap for the entire Enterprise ID, so any individual account (including Service Accounts) cannot be increased beyond the 10 GB limit. More storage is available via paid platform plans.

How Do I Set the Storage for Service Accounts?

When uploading documents with an Enterprise Token or Application Token (obtained from using Server Authentication), Box uploads these documents using the Service Account's access control, or "point of view". This can be changed directly via the Bulk Edit Tool in the Admin Console. The default for new users (including Service Accounts) is available at the Admin Console -> Business/Enterprise Settings -> User Settings -> New User Defaults (requires admin privileges).