Why is my API Key invalid?

Common Error

If you encounter an error message like the one below, it typically indicates an incorrect Base URL configuration.

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

Most common mistake: Using MixRoute API 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.

MixRoute’s Base URL and API Key Must Match

client = OpenAI(
    api_key="sk-mixroute-key",
    base_url="https://api.mixroute.ai/v1"
    # ✅ Using MixRoute Base URL
)

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://api.mixroute.ai/v1"  # Use Mixroute Api URL
)

response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="gpt-5.5",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello"}]
)

import OpenAI from 'openai';

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

const response = await client.chat.completions.create({
  model: 'gpt-5.5',
  messages: [{ role: 'user', content: 'Hello' }]
});

curl https://api.mixroute.ai/v1/chat/completions \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk-your-mixroute-key" \
  -d '{
    "model": "gpt-5.5",
    "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://api.mixroute.ai/v1"

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

set OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-your-mixroute-key
set OPENAI_BASE_URL=https://api.mixroute.ai/v1

Supported URL Formats

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

Quick Test

Verify configuration with cURL:

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

Expected result: Returns available models list

{
  "data": [
    {
      "id": "gpt-5.5",
      "object": "model"
    }
  ]
}

If you get an error, check:

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

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://api.mixroute.ai/v1
API Key: Copy from Mixroute Api console
Model name: Refer to model list

AI Model

Billing

Security

Fix

Why is my API Key invalid?

Common Error

What is Base URL?

MixRoute’s Base URL and API Key Must Match

Correct Configuration

Method 1: Modify Base URL (Recommended)

Method 2: Environment Variables

Supported URL Formats

Quick Test

Troubleshooting

​Common Error

​What is Base URL?

​MixRoute’s Base URL and API Key Must Match

​Correct Configuration

​Method 1: Modify Base URL (Recommended)

​Method 2: Environment Variables

​Supported URL Formats

​Quick Test

​Troubleshooting

Common Error

What is Base URL?

MixRoute’s Base URL and API Key Must Match

Correct Configuration

Method 1: Modify Base URL (Recommended)

Method 2: Environment Variables

Supported URL Formats

Quick Test

Troubleshooting