Error! API Key must belong to “Owner”, “Admin”, or “Manager.”

Hi Josué,

Thanks for reaching out to us with that information! That’s an interesting error, as only MailChimp Admins, Owners, and Managers should be capable of generating API keys, as mentioned in MailChimp’s help documentation, here: https://kb.mailchimp.com/accounts/multi-user/manage-user-levels-in-your-account

To rule out the possibility of any wonkiness with the API key itself, could you first try logging into the MailChimp account as one of the abovementioned user types and generating a fresh MailChimp API key? Once that’s been done, please go ahead and re-attempt to install the plugin using the fresh API key. MailChimp’s knowledge base has a helpful guide detailing generate a new key here, if needed: Find or Generate Your API Key

If that doesn’t clear up the error you’re seeing, could you please get back to us with the current version of PHP installed, the theme you’re using, and a link to your site. That will allow us to take a closer look and determine best next steps.

Thanks – I look forward to hearing back and helping out!

Pearl

I am having the same issue. I am running Version 1.5.3 of the MailChimp plugin. I am on WordPress v3.6.1 on PHP 5.4. I have tried with multiple API keys now and I am the MailChimp account owner.

I also confirmed the API Key is valid using the mailchimp API PHP class as defined here: https://www.inkthemes.com/learn-how-to-use-mailchimp-api-in-wordpress-plugin/

<?php
require_once 'MCAPI.class.php';
$apikey='xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx'; // Enter your MailChimp API key here
$api = new MCAPI($apikey);
$retval = $api->lists();
foreach ($retval['data'] as $list){
echo $list['name']; echo "&nbsp"; echo "&nbsp"; echo "&nbsp"; echo "&nbasp"; echo "&nbsp";
echo $list['id'];
echo "<br />";
}
?>

Hey thomassettle,

Thanks for chiming in! To clarify a bit, the plugin does require a PHP version of 5.6 or higher in order to function properly. Do you mind updating the PHP version on your end and letting us know if that clears things up? If it does not, some this additional information will help us move forward:

– A link to your site where the plugin is installed
– The theme you are currently using on your site
– A list of all other plugins currently installed
– Does this behavior persist after updating the PHP version when using a default WordPress theme and with all other plugins temporarily deactivated? (This will help us rule out any plugin or theme conflicts)

Thanks! I’m looking forward to hearing back and helping out.

Pearl

I have the same issue on my website API Key must belong to “Owner”, “Admin”, or “Manager.”

WP: 4.6.1
PHP: 5.6 (tried on 5.4 and 5.5 as well but same error)
Web: https://lowcosthousing.online/
I usually block my outgoing connections, is there an IP to whitelist? This may help in making the key work.

Hi @sumitmalhotra,

Goodness, it looks like we missed your post – I’m so sorry for the delayed response! In this case, could you please let me know what other plugins you have installed on your page, and what theme you have installed as well? Are you using the latest version of MailChimp List Subscribe? And, to be sure, could you try generating a fresh API key as an owner, admin, or manager for the account to see if the error persists even with a fresh API key? If it does, it’s possible that there is some sort of plugin or theme conflict occurring.

Thanks! I look forward to hearing back and helping out as much as possible.

Pearl

I get this same error on a new intallation of wordpress through digitalocean.com. I’m using the Unite theme. Any resolutions here?

Hey @pixabits,

Thanks for joining the thread. To clarify a bit, that is a MailChimp specific error message that typically indicates that the associated API key was created by a member of the MailChimp account that does not have the required permission level necessary to perform the requested action. We haven’t detected any issues with the integration in this situation, so your best bet would be the MailChimp support team. If creating a fresh API key does not resolve the error messaging being seen on your end, please feel free to contact the MailChimp support team, as directed here: https://kb.mailchimp.com/accounts/management/mailchimp-support-options#Contact-Support

That will allow them to turn on an internal logging tool and run some tests with that specific API key to see what’s going on.

Thanks!

Pearl