Since May 2026, I’ve been unable to generate a Gemini API key in AI Studio. Clicking Create API key returns an error: Failed to generate API key, the request is suspicious, please try again. Content generation in the Playground also intermittently fails with a permission denied error.
This happens consistently on my account, reproduced on two different laptops and networks, in incognito mode, without any VPN or proxy. No billing account is set up on the Cloud project. Other Google services work fine and there are no security alerts on the account.
Is this a known account-level restriction, and is there a way to request manual review? This has been going on for months and I would appreciate guidance on next steps.
Hello @boostoftech, to help us investigate the persistent permission denied and security errors you are experiencing, could you please share your project number (not the project ID) via direct message? You can do this by clicking on my profile icon and selecting the Message button to start a private conversation.
Hi Payal, thanks for looking into this. I tried sending a private message but got an error that I cannot send a PM to you (likely a new-account trust level restriction), so posting here instead. Project number: 7907780108.. project ID zippy-nomad-503107-… Let me know if you need anything else. Thanks!
Hi @boostoftech, upon checking, your account is currently on the Free Tier. Could you please clarify if you intend to remain on the Free Tier, or if you are able to attach a prepaid billing account to your project? Attaching a billing account can help mitigate free-tier restrictions.
I’m on the free tear but I have google ai pro.