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Claude Code · Sign-in

API Error: 401 Invalid authentication credentials

The API recognised your credential’s format but rejected the account or organisation behind it.

Message

The exact error

Claude Code
Please run /login · API Error: 401 Invalid authentication credentials

Meaning

What it means

This isn’t an expired token. Anthropic returns it when a credential was recently revoked, when your organisation was disabled or removed you, or when the account was deactivated. The credential may be your saved login or an ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, and the fix depends on which, so start by checking.

Causes

Common causes

  • A revoked API key or login
  • Your organisation disabled or removed your access
  • A deactivated account
  • A gateway set in ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL rejecting its own credential

Fix

How to fix it

  1. See which credential is active

    Run /status. An approved ANTHROPIC_API_KEY takes priority over your login, so /login won’t replace it.

  2. If it’s an API key

    Rotate the key in the Console, or fall back to your subscription by removing it.

    macOS / Linux
    unset ANTHROPIC_API_KEY
    Windows PowerShell
    Remove-Item Env:ANTHROPIC_API_KEY

  3. If it’s your login

    Run /login once. If the same error returns for the same account, ask your organisation’s admin to restore access.

  4. If you use a gateway

    With ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL set, the text after 401 is your gateway’s, and /login won’t change it; fix the credential the gateway expects.

Related

Related errors

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