How do I catch an Ajax query post error?

$.ajax({
  type: 'POST',
  url: 'status.ajax.php',
  data: {
     deviceId: id
  },
  success: function(data){
     // your code from above
  },
  error: function(xhr, textStatus, error){
      console.log(xhr.statusText);
      console.log(textStatus);
      console.log(error);
  }
});

Since jQuery 1.5 you can use the deferred objects mechanism:

$.post('some.php', {name: 'John'})
    .done(function(msg){  })
    .fail(function(xhr, status, error) {
        // error handling
    });

Another way is using .ajax:

$.ajax({
  type: "POST",
  url: "some.php",
  data: "name=John&location=Boston",
  success: function(msg){
        alert( "Data Saved: " + msg );
  },
  error: function(XMLHttpRequest, textStatus, errorThrown) {
     alert("some error");
  }
});

jQuery 1.5 added deferred objects that handle this nicely. Simply call $.post and attach any handlers you'd like after the call. Deferred objects even allow you to attach multiple success and error handlers.

Example:

$.post('status.ajax.php', {deviceId: id})
    .done( function(msg) { ... } )
    .fail( function(xhr, textStatus, errorThrown) {
        alert(xhr.responseText);
    });

Prior to jQuery 1.8, the function done was called success and fail was called error.