Why Aren't My Free OpenAI API Keys Working and Can I Get Free API Credits?

Understanding API Keys and Credits

The API keys you generate are meant for authentication and usage tracking. They let OpenAI know who is making the request and ensure that usage is billed to the right account. They do not inherently grant you a specific amount of usage or credits.

Key Points:

• Authentication, Not a Quota:
  The keys are used to verify the identity of the requester and allow the API to monitor your usage. They do not serve as a mechanism for getting “free” limits or quota.

• Billing and Credits:
  If you're on a free account, any API usage is governed by the billing setup and available credits in your account. Typically, new accounts might have an initial free trial with a set amount of credits, but once those run out the API calls will not work until you add billing information or obtain additional credits through promotional offers.

• No Permanent Free Credits:
  There isn’t an option to have unlimited free API credits on a free account. Free trial credits (if provided) are limited in both amount and duration. To continue using the API after the trial, you’ll need to transition to a paid plan.

If you’ve received an error (like the one in your screenshot), it’s likely because either the initial free trial credits have been exhausted or there’s an issue with billing. I recommend checking your account’s usage and billing section in the OpenAI dashboard to confirm your current credit status.

Next Steps:

1. Verify your account's billing status and check if you still have trial credits available.
2. Look at the error details in your OpenAI dashboard or the API documentation to understand if it’s a billing-related issue.
3. If you need extended testing capability beyond the trial credits, consider upgrading your account with a paid plan.

Feel free to ask if you need further details on managing your API keys or setting up billing for the API.