Fix DeepSeek Error 401 - Authentication Fails

We have noticed that during DeepSeek’s API authentication, we encountered an error. The DeepSeek Error 401, means that authentication fails, which can be due to incorrect credentials, invalid API, and more. In this post, we are going to talk about this issue and see what you can do to resolve it.

Error: Authentication Failed (Status 401)

What is DeepSeek Error 401?

DeepSeek Error 401 indicates that authentication has failed, usually because of incorrect credentials, invalid API keys, or missing authentication headers. This error means the server cannot verify the user’s identity, preventing access to the requested resource. To resolve this issue, ensure you provide the correct credentials and include all necessary authentication details in your API request

DeepSeek Error 401 – Authentication Fails

If you encounter DeepSeek Error 401, you can follow the solutions mentioned below to resolve the issue.

Check your credentials
Check your API key
Use Postman to test API connectivity
Check your IP Restriction
Contact DeepSeek Support

Let us talk about them in detail.

1] Check your credentials

First of all, we need to check and ensure that the credentials you are using are correct. The username and password should be correct. If you have forgotten the credentials, click on Forget password, and create a new one. In case, you are sure that the credentials are correct, move on to the next solution.

Read: DeepSeek 400 error Invalid format.

2] Check your API key

When trying to add the DeepSeek API key to their project, a lot of users tend to leave extra space or some missing characters. Additionally, you can try creating a new API key.

To do so, you need to go to platform.deepseek.com and either create an account or log in using your Google account, I did the latter. You need to then go to the API keys tab, and click on Create new API key. You then have to give your API key a name and click on the Create API key. Once you have your API key, copy it to integrate it into your project.

If it is still not working, you can try creating an environmental variable. So, you can have something like.

import os
api = deepseek.connect(api_key=os.getenv("DEEPSEEK_API_KEY"))

Also, make sure to not pass the API key directly. What you need to do is wrap it in a config object. So, check the code to see how you are passing the API key, and make the necessary adjustments.

You also need to review the API documentation from API-docs.deepseek.com to ensure you include all mandatory parameters in your request and verify that they are in the correct format. Test the request with sample data to confirm everything is in order. Additionally, including authentication headers in your API requests is essential. Review the documentation to understand the correct format for these headers, and make sure they are properly included in your request. Use tools like Postman or cURL to test and ensure the authentication headers are correct and accepted by the API.

3] Use Postman to test API connectivity

We need to check if there is an issue with the API or the application. To do so, you can use one of the API endpoint checkers such as Postman or cURL. We are going to be using Postman this time, but you can use cURL as well.

To test the API endpoint, follow these steps.

Install Postman postman.com/downloads.
Once downloaded and installed, launch the application and then you need to click on New > HTTP Request to create a new request.
You need to select GET from the drop-down menu, then enter the details of the DeepSeek API request that we are going to check. You need to enter the URL, HTTP methods, and other parameters and headers required.
Once done, click on Send.

If the API call works as expected in Postman, the issue is likely with your application. If the API call fails in Postman, there may be a problem with the DeepSeek API or the parameters being used.

4] Check your IP Restrictions

Some APIs have IP restrictions that limit access to specific IP addresses or ranges. Verify if the DeepSeek API has any such restrictions and ensure that your IP address is allowed. You can usually find this information in the API documentation or the security settings of your DeepSeek account. If necessary, add your IP address to the list of allowed addresses.

Read: DeepSeek Registration is not working

5] Contact DeepSeek support

If nothing works, you might have to contact DeepSeek support and ask them to resolve the issue. You can go to chat.deepseek.com and sign into your account. Then, go to My Profile > Contact us. Click on Contact Support and then click on the Problem about DeepSeek API bubble. Enter the details and request for a resolution.

Hopefully, you will be able to resolve the issue using the solutions mentioned in this post.

Read: How to run DeepSeek locally on Windows 11

How do I include authentication headers in my API request?

To include authentication headers in your API request, add the Authorization: Bearer <your_token> header. Ensure the header is formatted correctly and included in your request headers. This header typically contains your API key or token, allowing the server to verify and authorize your request. Tools like Postman can help you set and test these headers to ensure proper configuration.

How do I fix Deepseek error 403?

A 403 Forbidden Error indicates that you don’t have permission to access a particular webpage or resource on a web server. Here are some steps you can take to try and see if it helps: