How to Fix Incorrect API key provided (OpenAI API)

Quick Answer: The 'Incorrect API key provided' error means the API key sent with your request is invalid, expired, or malformed. Verify your `OPENAI_API_KEY` environment variable or the key passed directly in your code. The fastest fix is to regenerate a new key from the OpenAI dashboard and update your environment variable: `export OPENAI_API_KEY='sk-...'`.

What Causes This Error

API key is misspelled or has leading/trailing spaces.
API key has expired or been revoked.
The wrong API key is being used (e.g., a development key in a production environment).
Environment variable holding the API key is not loaded or is misconfigured.
Hardcoded API key in the application is incorrect.

Step-by-Step Fixes

Fix 1: Verify and Reload Environment Variable

Check your current environment variable: `echo $OPENAI_API_KEY`,If incorrect or empty, set the correct key: `export OPENAI_API_KEY='sk-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx'` (replace with your actual key).,For persistent changes, add `export OPENAI_API_KEY='sk-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx'` to your shell's configuration file (e.g., `~/.bashrc`, `~/.zshrc`) and then run `source ~/.bashrc` or `source ~/.zshrc`.

Fix 2: Regenerate API Key

Go to the OpenAI API Keys page: `https://platform.openai.com/account/api-keys`,Click 'Create new secret key'.,Copy the new key immediately. It will not be shown again.,Update your `OPENAI_API_KEY` environment variable or hardcoded value with this new key.

Fix 3: Inspect Code for Hardcoded Keys

Search your codebase for instances of `openai.api_key = '...'`. This is a common pattern for hardcoding.,If found, replace the hardcoded key with a reference to the environment variable: `openai.api_key = os.environ.get('OPENAI_API_KEY')`.,Ensure `import os` is present at the top of your file.

Advanced Fixes

Advanced Fix 1: Advanced Fix: Environment Variable Not Loading Correctly

Verify the environment variable is set in your shell: `echo $OPENAI_API_KEY`,If running in a container, ensure the variable is passed: `docker run -e OPENAI_API_KEY=$OPENAI_API_KEY your_image`,If using a CI/CD pipeline, confirm the secret is correctly configured and accessible to the build/deploy process.

Advanced Fix 2: Advanced Fix: Multiple API Keys or Incorrect Key Selection

If managing multiple OpenAI API keys, confirm your application is configured to use the correct key for the intended project or environment.,Review your application's configuration files or code to identify where the API key is loaded and ensure it points to the intended key.