# I have paid for API key but it doesn't work **URL:** \ **Category:** Gemini API\ **Tags:** api, gemini\ **Created:** [January 28, 2026, 10:24pm UTC](https://discuss.ai.google.dev/t/i-have-paid-for-api-key-but-it-doesnt-work/119694 "2026-01-28T22:24:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kenneth\_Christiansen](https://d1dlmcr85iqnpo.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/discuss.ai.google.dev/kenneth_christiansen/32/31804_2.png) [@Kenneth\_Christiansen](https://discuss.ai.google.dev/u/Kenneth_Christiansen)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 10:24pm UTC](https://discuss.ai.google.dev/t/i-have-paid-for-api-key-but-it-doesnt-work/119694/1 "2026-01-28T22:24:20Z")
Hi, I have paid for API key and linked it to my project and Quota tier is set to “Tier 1” when I look in the API keys next to the project but suddently when I was typing in the chat it says: “You are out of free generations today”. Why can that be when I’m on a paid API? Hope someone can help me? ---
**Author:** ![Shree\_Radha\_Studio](https://d1dlmcr85iqnpo.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/discuss.ai.google.dev/shree_radha_studio/32/32327_2.png) [@Shree\_Radha\_Studio](https://discuss.ai.google.dev/u/Shree_Radha_Studio)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 8:44am UTC](https://discuss.ai.google.dev/t/i-have-paid-for-api-key-but-it-doesnt-work/119694/2 "2026-01-29T08:44:10Z")
there might be problem with model you are pulling to your work flow , you should check for model and also the api key linked with the right project and also your billing account is connected to your project on console platform of google. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_G](https://d1dlmcr85iqnpo.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/discuss.ai.google.dev/paul_g/32/25748_2.png) [@Paul\_G](https://discuss.ai.google.dev/u/Paul_G)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2026, 11:32pm UTC](https://discuss.ai.google.dev/t/i-have-paid-for-api-key-but-it-doesnt-work/119694/3 "2026-02-12T23:32:09Z")
I have the same problem. it’s a complete scam. I paid for AI Ultra, 124.99 a month for 90 days prepaid, and I can’t get an API Key or use AI Studio at all above the free tier which is constantly telling me I exceeded my rate quota fter liuke 6 prompts and zero code generation. Live support was not available because I had a “free” tier so I paid a second time just to get access to live support. live support gave me the run around and kept telling me i was in the wrong support group. long story short, I now have 2 subscriptions, zero API keys, constant rate limits, and zero support from Google. ---
**Author:** ![Shree\_Radha\_Studio](https://d1dlmcr85iqnpo.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/discuss.ai.google.dev/shree_radha_studio/32/32327_2.png) [@Shree\_Radha\_Studio](https://discuss.ai.google.dev/u/Shree_Radha_Studio)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 8:58am UTC](https://discuss.ai.google.dev/t/i-have-paid-for-api-key-but-it-doesnt-work/119694/4 "2026-02-17T08:58:59Z")
hey , if you paid for ai pro ultra then you invested wrong if you want to use api you need to enable billing in google ai studio not to purchase ai pro or ultra plan. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://d1dlmcr85iqnpo.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/discuss.ai.google.dev/system/32/1_2.png) [@system](https://discuss.ai.google.dev/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2026, 6:34pm UTC](https://discuss.ai.google.dev/t/i-have-paid-for-api-key-but-it-doesnt-work/119694/5 "2026-11-05T18:34:33Z")
Closed on November 5, 2026, 6:34pm UTC This thread was automatically closed 60 days after the last reply. If you are running into an issue, please create a new post.