This error occurs when a user tries to interact with IBM Cloud services through the CLI (Command Line Interface) or API, but the authentication fails. It typically happens due to invalid API keys, expired tokens, or insufficient permissions.

Why This Error Occurs

  • Invalid API Key: The API key used for authentication is incorrect or has been deleted.
  • Expired Access Token: The authentication token has expired, and a new token is required.
  • Insufficient Permissions: The user’s account does not have the necessary permissions to access the resource or service.
  • Incorrect Region: The command is being executed in a region that the API key is not authorized to access.

Troubleshooting Steps

  1. Check the API Key:
  • Ensure your API key is valid and has not been deleted or disabled. You can list and manage your API keys through the IBM Cloud UI:

Step 1. Go to the IBM Cloud Console.
Step 2. Navigate to Manage > Access (IAM) > API Keys.
Step 3. Verify that the API key is listed and active.

  • If you need to create a new API key, follow these steps:

Step 1. In the API Keys section, click Create.
Step 2. Provide a name and click Create.
Step 3. Copy the API key for use in CLI commands.

  • To authenticate using the new API key:
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2. Generate a new access token:

  • If your authentication token has expired, you will need to generate a new token. Log back in to refresh the token using the IBM Cloud CLI:
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  • Alternatively, if you are using an IAM token, you can manually request a new token:
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3. Verify User Permissions:

  • Ensure that your account has sufficient permissions to access the desired resources.

Step 1. Go to Manage > Access (IAM) > Users in the IBM Cloud Console.
Step 2. Select the user and check the assigned roles and access policies.
Step 3. Ensure the user has the correct roles for the specific service or resource accessed.

  • If necessary, request that an account administrator grant you the required permissions.

4. Use the Correct Region:

  • Verify that you are working in the correct region that matches your API key’s permissions.

Step 1. List all available regions using the command:

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Step 2. Set the correct region for your API key and resources:

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5. Check Internet Connectivity:

Ensure you have stable internet connectivity. Network issues can cause intermittent failures in authentication. If you are using a proxy, configure the CLI to work with your proxy settings:

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6. Check IAM Service Status:

  • If the IAM service is down or experiencing issues, authentication failures can occur. Check the IBM Cloud Status page for any ongoing issues:

Step 1. Go to the IBM Cloud Status Page and check for any outages or service degradations related to IAM or other services.

7. Re-authenticate and Reset CLI Configuration:

  • If none of the above steps resolve the issue, try resetting the IBM Cloud CLI configuration and re-authenticating:
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Xieles helps you to successfully authenticate to use IBM Cloud services