403 PERMISSION_DENIED on gemini-3.8-flash — project gen-lang-client-09623741

Gemini API
1

Hello Google AI Developers team,

I’m requesting a review of Gemini API access for this project:

Project name: Default Gemini Project
Project ID: gen-lang-client-09623741..
Project number: 1400991957..

My Node.js backend calls ai.models.generateContent using gemini-3.8-flash. The API key was created directly in Google AI Studio and is stored in a server-side environment variable; it is not exposed in the frontend. The forum notice says that keys created directly in AI Studio are restricted to the Gemini API by default.

A real API request returns:

403 PERMISSION_DENIED
“Your project has been denied access. Please contact support.”

I originally received a model availability error with gemini-2.5-flash. I updated the call to gemini-3.8-flash, but the 403 remains. The application’s typecheck and build pass. The app currently uses a fallback when the API call fails.

The intended use is a resume-generation and optimization feature. Could you review the project’s Gemini API access and advise whether access can be restored or what additional steps are required?

I have not included the API key or any user resume data. I can provide sanitized request details or timestamps if needed.

Thank you.

2

Hello @danilo_santos ,

Getting a 403 API error response and / or seeing “Unavailable” next to your project in AI audio indicates a flag has been placed on your account. To proceed:

  1. If you’re on the free tier with no billing attached, please try the below steps:

  2. Check Model Availability & Rate Limits:

    • Ensure that the model you are requesting is available on your current plan. For example, not all models are available on the free tier. You can verify model availability, quotas, and limits on the AI Studio Rate Limit dashboard.

  3. Ensure you have completed age verification by navigating to Google Account Age Verification and verifying date of birth in Google Account Personal Info.

  4. Complete Phone Verification and turn on 2-Step Verification (2SV) on the Google Account associated with your project.

  5. Once age, phone and 2sv are configured, retry your request or create a new API key in Google AI Studio.

  6. If completing these steps still does not restore access (or if using a model requiring a paid tier), you might want to consider adding prepayment credits directly in Google AI Studio and/ or attaching a Google Cloud Billing account in the Google Cloud Console. Please note this will mean you lose your free tier quota.

  7. If you are on a paid tier:

    1. Check for banners / error callouts in the AI Studio Projects page & the Billing page. Mostly these flags cause visible banners or other errors on these pages with concrete next steps / appeal links. You can also check the email address associated with your project for information on next steps.

    2. If your GCP project/ billing account is suspended, you must submit an appeal directly through the Google Cloud Console following the Project Suspension Guidelines (Help Center)