403 PERMISSION_DENIED on generateContent while models.list and free-tier quota work

Gemini API
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1

Hello Google Gemini API team,

I am experiencing a persistent 403 PERMISSION_DENIED error with the Gemini Developer API.

Project:
Default Gemini Project

Project ID:
gen-lang-client-05339590..

Model:
gemini-2.5-flash-lite

What I have verified:

  • Gemini API (generativelanguage.googleapis.com) is enabled.
  • The project is active.
  • There are no warning banners or action-required notices in Google Cloud Console.
  • There are no warning notices in Google AI Studio.
  • A newly created API key was tested.
  • GET /v1beta/models succeeds with HTTP 200.
  • The models endpoint returns 56 models.
  • gemini-2.5-flash-lite is visible in the model list.
  • Free-tier quota is assigned and is not exhausted:
    • Requests per minute: 10, usage 1
    • Requests per day: 20, usage 1
    • Input tokens per minute: 250,000, usage approximately 14
  • Billing is not enabled because I am only testing the documented free tier.
  • POST generateContent still returns HTTP 403 PERMISSION_DENIED.
  • The same result occurred with a newly created API key.
  • I have not changed IAM roles, quota limits, Firebase settings, or billing configuration.

The API key is sent using the documented x-goog-api-key header.

Could you please check whether this project/account has an internal access restriction or automated flag, or whether this is the known Gemini API 403 issue?

There are no visible appeal or restriction banners in Cloud Console or AI Studio.

I can provide the project number privately if needed.

Thank you.

8034052c-35f1-4728-92ac-20d13143831b
8034052c-35f1-4728-92ac-20d13143831b2048×756 275 KB

197fc553-5c75-46fd-897d-a52df2275e40
197fc553-5c75-46fd-897d-a52df2275e401405×1339 74.5 KB

25c10c48-2f1e-4882-a2e7-4a9f2881586e
25c10c48-2f1e-4882-a2e7-4a9f2881586e1920×1063 358 KB

2

Hello @meedua_official ,
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, you should consider setting up billing. In most cases this is enough to clear any flag on your account. Please note this will mean you lose your free tier quota. You should also see a banner in AI studio prompting you to set up billing.

  2. If you are on a paid tier, 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.