Google AI Studio: “Permission denied” on paid project despite Owner access and enabled Gemini API

Google AI Studio
1

Hello,

I’m experiencing a persistent PERMISSION_DENIED issue in Google AI Studio with an existing paid Gemini project that was working normally before.

Error messages

Google AI Studio repeatedly shows:

  • “Failed to list models: permission denied. Please try again.”

  • “Failed to list imported projects: permission denied. Please try again.”

  • “Failed to list bundled Applications: permission denied. Please try again.”

As a result, I cannot use Google AI Studio / Gemini image generation (Nano Banana) normally.

Project

Project name: Mira
Project ID: `gen-lang-client-09235099..

What I have already verified

  • Google Cloud Billing account is ACTIVE / Paid account

  • The Mira project is linked to the active billing account

  • There has been active paid usage on this billing account

  • Gemini API is enabled for the Mira project

  • An existing Gemini API key is present and restricted to Gemini API

  • My Google account has the Owner IAM role for the Mira project

  • The issue occurs in both Chrome and Opera

  • Incognito/private browsing does not resolve it

  • Switching from Wi-Fi to a mobile internet connection does not resolve it

  • Signing out/in and refreshing AI Studio does not resolve it

  • Google Cloud Console itself is accessible and the Mira project works normally there

The issue therefore appears to be specific to Google AI Studio account/project access or entitlement, rather than billing, IAM permissions, browser cache, network, or Gemini API configuration.

Could you please check whether there is an AI Studio entitlement, security/compliance restriction, trust & safety restriction, or other account-level access issue affecting this project/account?

The project was working normally before this issue appeared.

Thank you.

2

Hello @Nat_Mas ,

We have recently rolled out a mandatory age verification initiative across signed-in customers globally, Accounts that have not completed explicit date-of-birth/identity verification should do so by navigating to Google Account Age Verification or verifying date of birth in Google Account Personal Info."

Also, disconnect any VPN, proxy, or iCloud Private Relay and access AI Studio directly. After completing these steps, please try again in a few hours, If you still face issues, please let us know.