Why is my API Key invalid?

Common Error

When you see an error like this:

{
  "error": {
    "message": "Incorrect API key provided: sk-QqHvK***...",
    "type": "invalid_request_error",
    "code": "invalid_api_key"
  }
}

This usually isn’t a problem with your API Key itself, but rather a Base URL misconfiguration.

Most common mistake: Using Mixroute Api’s Key but the request URL still points to OpenAI’s https://api.openai.com

What is Base URL?

Base URL is the target server address for API requests. Different providers use different Base URLs.

Base URL and API Key Must Match

Provider	Base URL	API Key Format	Match?
Mixroute Api	https://console.mixroute.io	sk-xxxx…	✅ Correct
OpenAI Official	https://api.openai.com	sk-xxxx…	✅ Correct
❌ Mixroute Key	https://api.openai.com	sk-xxxx…	❌ Wrong
❌ OpenAI Key	https://console.mixroute.io	sk-xxxx…	❌ Wrong

Key principle: Use the provider’s Base URL that matches your API Key

Correct Configuration

Method 1: Modify Base URL (Recommended)

Python
Node.js
cURL

from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(
    api_key="sk-your-mixroute-key",  # Key from Mixroute Api console
    base_url="https://console.mixroute.io/v1"  # Use Mixroute Api URL
)

response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="gpt-4o",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello"}]
)

import OpenAI from 'openai';

const client = new OpenAI({
  apiKey: 'sk-your-mixroute-key',
  baseURL: 'https://console.mixroute.io/v1'
});

const response = await client.chat.completions.create({
  model: 'gpt-4o',
  messages: [{ role: 'user', content: 'Hello' }]
});

curl https://console.mixroute.io/v1/chat/completions \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk-your-mixroute-key" \
  -d '{
    "model": "gpt-4o",
    "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "Hello"}]
  }'

Method 2: Environment Variables

Linux/macOS
Windows PowerShell
Windows CMD

export OPENAI_API_KEY="sk-your-mixroute-key"
export OPENAI_BASE_URL="https://console.mixroute.io/v1"

$env:OPENAI_API_KEY="sk-your-mixroute-key"
$env:OPENAI_BASE_URL="https://console.mixroute.io/v1"

set OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-your-mixroute-key
set OPENAI_BASE_URL=https://console.mixroute.io/v1

Supported URL Formats

Format	URL	Use Case
With /v1 (recommended)	`https://console.mixroute.io/v1`	Most libraries
With trailing slash	`https://console.mixroute.io/v1/`	Some frameworks
Full path	`https://console.mixroute.io/v1/chat/completions`	cURL requests

Troubleshooting

Changed Base URL but still getting errors

Possible causes:

Typos: Verify the URL spelling
Cache issues: Restart program or clear cache
Proxy or middleware: Some tools may redirect requests
Multiple configurations: Check config files, env vars, code initialization

How to verify Key is valid?

Check in Mixroute Api console:

Login to Mixroute Api Console
Go to “Tokens” page
Check if Key status is “Enabled”
Confirm account balance is sufficient

How to configure third-party tools?

Most tools have “Custom API” options:

API URL / Base URL: https://console.mixroute.io/v1
API Key: Copy from Mixroute Api console
Model name: Refer to model list

Wrong vs Correct Examples

❌ Wrong Configuration

client = OpenAI(
    api_key="sk-mixroute-key",
    base_url="https://api.openai.com/v1"
    # ❌ Using OpenAI's URL
)

Result: OpenAI server rejects Mixroute Api’s Key

✅ Correct Configuration

client = OpenAI(
    api_key="sk-mixroute-key",
    base_url="https://console.mixroute.io/v1"
    # ✅ Using Mixroute Api URL
)

Result: Request successfully sent to Mixroute Api

Quick Test

Verify configuration with cURL:

curl https://console.mixroute.io/v1/models \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk-your-mixroute-key"

Expected result: Returns available models list

{
  "data": [
    {
      "id": "gpt-4o",
      "object": "model"
    }
  ]
}

If you get an error, check:

API Key copied correctly (no extra spaces)
Network connection is working
Account balance is sufficient

Remember: Match the Key to its URL. Mixroute Api Key uses https://console.mixroute.io/v1

FAQ

​Common Error

​What is Base URL?

​Base URL and API Key Must Match

​Correct Configuration

​Method 1: Modify Base URL (Recommended)

​Method 2: Environment Variables

​Supported URL Formats

​Troubleshooting

​Wrong vs Correct Examples

​❌ Wrong Configuration

​✅ Correct Configuration

​Quick Test

Common Error

What is Base URL?

Base URL and API Key Must Match

Correct Configuration

Method 1: Modify Base URL (Recommended)

Method 2: Environment Variables

Supported URL Formats

Troubleshooting

Wrong vs Correct Examples

❌ Wrong Configuration

✅ Correct Configuration

Quick Test