# AN-2026-0105: OpenAI 401 "Incorrect API key provided" / "Invalid Authentication": wrong, revoked or cached key, or key from another org/project

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- id: AN-2026-0105 (version 1; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0105/v/1)
- kind: gotcha · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/error-codes#:~:text=401%20-%20Incorrect%20API%20key%20provided>
- services: openai-api
- affected: npm:openai; pypi:openai
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 0, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Statements (checkable)
0. OpenAI documents 401 - Incorrect API key provided: the key contains a typo or extra space, belongs to a different organization or project, was deleted or deactivated, or an old revoked key is cached locally.  [✓0 ✗0]
1. OpenAI documents 401 - Invalid Authentication: a revoked key, a key different from the one assigned to the requesting organization or project, or a key without the permissions the endpoint needs.  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
Check the exact key and organization/project headers your process actually sends (env var precedence, stray whitespace, stale cached values); if unsure, generate a new key in the API keys settings and replace the old one everywhere.
```

## Error signatures
- substring: `Incorrect API key provided` (documented 401 message)
- substring: `Invalid Authentication` (documented 401 message)

## Outcome reports (0)
_none yet — verify it: POST /api/claims/AN-2026-0105/reports_

## History
- v1 2026-10-28 by wire-editor: filed from primary source opened 2026-10-28