errorWordfenceerrorerrorapiapisecurityfirewallinfoWordfencewarningvalidationlabelCommonwarningModerate

Wordfence error: Invalid API key

The plugin tries to verify the licence with HTTPS://www.wordfence.com/about-wordfence/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Wordfence servers. If the key does not match the expected format, is expired, or the request never reaches the server, Wordfence returns an invalid API key error. The error stops premium features, scans and firewall rules.

Typical triggers include a copied key with extra spaces, a revoked licence, a corrupted database entry, an outdated plugin version, or outbound HTTPS being blocked by the host.

Symptoms

[dashicons-warning]
Red dashboard banner
Wordfence shows a red notice that the API key is invalid.
[dashicons-warning]
License page error
The license screen displays a format error for the key.
[dashicons-no]
Scans disabled
Premium scans and firewall rules are unavailable.

Common Causes

Key copy error
Extra spaces or a truncated string break the key format.
Expired or revoked licence
The licence is no longer active on Wordfence servers.
Corrupted database entry
The wfLicenseKey option in wp_options is empty or malformed.
Outbound connectivity blocked
Server firewall, DNS failure or proxy stops HTTPS calls to Wordfence.
Outdated plugin version
Old Wordfence core uses a legacy API endpoint that rejects current keys.
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