Help! My AI-Generated Code Won’t Work (What to Do Next)

AI-powered coding tools like ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and Bard are making it easier than ever to generate software with minimal effort. But if you've tried using AI to write code, you may have already run into a frustrating reality: AI-generated code often doesn’t work as expected.

Maybe your app won’t run, your functions return errors, or things just aren’t behaving the way you imagined. If you’re stuck wondering what went wrong and how to fix it, you’re not alone.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through why AI-generated code fails, how to troubleshoot common issues, and what to do if you need professional debugging help.

Why AI-Generated Code Fails (And Why It’s Not Your Fault)

AI models predict code based on patterns they’ve learned, but they don’t actually understand what they’re writing. This means:

🚨 Errors & Bugs – AI often generates incorrect syntax, missing dependencies, or inefficient logic.
🔍 Partial Solutions – AI-generated code may not consider edge cases or project-specific needs.
⚡ Outdated Practices – AI models are trained on past data, so they may use deprecated methods.
🧩 Lack of Context – AI tools generate code line by line, without always considering how everything fits together.

If you copy and paste AI-generated code without reviewing it, you’re likely to hit errors. But don’t worry—we’re going to fix it!

Step 1: Identify the Problem (Start with the Error Message)

The first step in fixing AI-generated code is understanding what’s wrong. If your code isn’t working, look for an error message.

📌 Where to find errors:
✅ Console/Terminal – If your app won’t run, check for error logs in the terminal.
✅ Browser DevTools – If you’re debugging JavaScript, open the browser console.
✅ Framework Debugging Tools – For languages like Python, Ruby, or Node.js, use built-in debugging tools.

Example Error Message:

javascript

TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'map')

This means AI-generated code is trying to use a method on an undefined variable—likely because the AI forgot to define it properly.

✅ Fix: Look for the variable and ensure it’s defined before being used.

💡 Pro Tip: If you don’t understand an error, copy and paste it into Google or Stack Overflow—chances are, someone else has already solved it!

Step 2: Check for Missing Imports or Dependencies

AI tools often generate code snippets without including required libraries or dependencies.

🔎 Common Issues:
❌ AI-generated Python code missing import pandas as pd
❌ AI-created JavaScript missing import axios from 'axios'
❌ Missing package installations (e.g., npm install react-router-dom)

✅ Fix: Check if all necessary imports, packages, and dependencies are included.

📌 Try this: If your AI-generated code references a package, but you’re getting an error, run:

• Python: pip install package-name

• Node.js: npm install package-name

• Ruby: gem install package-name

Step 3: Review the AI-Generated Logic

AI-generated code looks impressive, but that doesn’t mean it’s correct. Sometimes, it:
🚨 Uses the wrong approach for solving a problem
🚨 Creates redundant or inefficient code
🚨 Forgets key logic steps

✅ Fix: Read through the code and ask:

• Does this function actually do what I need?

• Are there unnecessary or repeated lines of code?

• Is the AI assuming data exists when it doesn’t?

If the answer to any of these is no, it’s time to revise and clean up the code.

Step 4: Test Small Chunks Instead of the Whole Code at Once

If your AI-generated app isn’t working at all, don’t try to fix everything at once. Instead:

🛠 Break the code into smaller parts and test each function separately.
🔄 Use print/debug statements to track where things go wrong.
🔍 Check expected outputs – Is your function returning what you expect?

📌 Example: If an AI-generated login system isn’t working, start by testing only the authentication function before checking the database connection.

💡 Pro Tip: AI-generated code is often overcomplicated—try simplifying it, and you might solve the issue faster.

Step 5: When to Get Expert Help (And Save Hours of Frustration)

If you’ve tried troubleshooting, but your AI-generated code still isn’t working, you don’t have to waste hours Googling for answers. Sometimes, a fresh set of expert eyes can save you days of debugging frustration.

That’s where we come in.

✅ We debug, fix, and optimize AI-generated applications
✅ We provide clear explanations so you know what went wrong
✅ We can improve your AI-generated code to run faster and more efficiently

If your AI-generated app isn’t working, we’ll get it back on track—fast.

Final Thoughts: AI is Powerful, But It’s Not Perfect

AI-generated code is a great starting point, but it still needs human oversight to work correctly. If your AI-generated app isn’t running as expected, follow these steps:

✔ Check for errors & missing dependencies
✔ Review the logic and test smaller parts of the code
✔ Simplify and refine where needed
✔ Get expert help when you’re stuck

🚀 Need help fixing your AI-generated code? Let’s troubleshoot it together!