What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
If PDFCrowd reports “invalid username or API key,” authenticate with your PDFCrowd account username and its API key—not your account password. PDFCrowd uses HTTP Basic authentication: the client sends the username and API key as the credential pair. Then check the HTTP status and PDFCrowd reason code; a 401 can indicate an inactive license as well as missing or incorrect credentials.
Which credentials does PDFCrowd API authentication require?
Use the username associated with your PDFCrowd account as the HTTP Basic username, and use that account’s API key as the password. Your normal account password is not a substitute for the API key. PDFCrowd’s HTML to PDF HTTP API documentation describes this credential pair and authentication format.
Before changing your integration, check that both values came from the same account and that neither is empty, stale, or accidentally copied with leading or trailing whitespace.
How PDFCrowd Basic authentication is formatted
HTTP Basic authentication encodes username:apikey as Base64 and sends it in an Authorization header as Basic <credentials>. Prefer your HTTP client’s built-in Basic Auth option; it avoids common errors when constructing the header manually.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Do not share a production API key in source code, logs, screenshots, or support messages. If you suspect the key has been exposed, PDFCrowd’s Postman guide says it can be regenerated from your account; update integrations that use the old key afterward.
How to troubleshoot “invalid username or API key”
- Check the credential values. Confirm that the username is the PDFCrowd account username and the password field for Basic Auth contains the API key—not the account password. Check for whitespace, blank environment variables, outdated values, and credentials from different accounts.
- Check the authentication method. Make sure the request uses HTTP Basic authentication, with the username and API key in the correct fields. Let the HTTP library create the header where possible.
- Inspect the response status and reason code. Read both together rather than treating every 401 as a typo. PDFCrowd’s API status-code reference distinguishes credential-format errors from license and account conditions.
- Check the account or license when indicated. If the reason code points to an expired, disabled, or depleted license, correcting the username or key alone will not resolve the problem.
- Retest without exposing secrets. Keep the HTTP status, response body, and reason code for diagnosis, but redact the API key before sharing logs or a support request.
What PDFCrowd HTTP statuses and reason codes mean
PDFCrowd describes HTTP 401 as credentials not provided or a license that is inactive. Its reason codes narrow the diagnosis:
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
| Reason code | PDFCrowd diagnosis | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 101 | Invalid credential format; Base64 is required. | Use the client’s Basic Auth option or encode the expected credential format correctly. |
| 102 | Invalid credentials format. | Check how the request builds its authentication credentials. |
| 103 | License expired. | Check the account’s license state. |
| 104 | License temporarily disabled. | PDFCrowd says to contact its support. |
| 105 | No license credits remain. | Check the license’s available credits. |
| 106 | No license or invalid username. | Verify the account username and license state. |
| 107 | Missing or invalid PDFCrowd API/WordPress key. | Verify that the API key is present and belongs to the account. |
These codes are identifiers, not measures of how common each issue is. Use the wording returned by PDFCrowd for your request, since the status alone may not identify the underlying cause.
Fixing PDFCrowd authentication in Postman
PDFCrowd’s PDF Export in Postman guide describes using a Postman environment with username and api_key values.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- Set the environment’s
usernamevalue to your PDFCrowd account username. - Set
api_keyto the PDFCrowd API key, not the account password. - Select the intended environment for the request and verify that the request uses Basic Auth with those values.
- Store the API key in Postman’s Current Value field rather than syncing it to the cloud, as PDFCrowd advises.
- Send the request and inspect the HTTP status and PDFCrowd reason code if authentication still fails.
Use demo credentials to isolate an integration problem
PDFCrowd documents demo / demo credentials in its HTTP API guides for testing. They can help determine whether an integration’s request construction works independently of your account credentials. They are test credentials; use your own PDFCrowd username and API key for production requests.
Or skip the browser setup:
PDFCrowd authenticates its conversion API with your username and API key. If the task you actually need is capturing a website screenshot or PDF, ScreenshotNeo offers a separate one-request screenshot API; it is not a fix for PDFCrowd credentials. This cURL example captures a page as WebP:
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webp
See the ScreenshotNeo documentation for API details. ScreenshotNeo removes cookie banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; bot checks, blank pages, and failed loads are never billed. Its MCP server lets AI agents take screenshots. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots a month with no card, and paid plans start at $5 for 3,000.
Sign up for ScreenshotNeo’s free plan.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Does PDFCrowd use my account password for API authentication?
No. Use your PDFCrowd account username and API key for HTTP Basic authentication.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Does every PDFCrowd 401 mean the API key is wrong?
No. PDFCrowd says a 401 can also mean credentials were not provided or the license is inactive. Check the reason code for the specific diagnosis.
Can I test a PDFCrowd HTTP API integration without my account key?
PDFCrowd documents demo/demo credentials for testing in its HTTP API guides. Do not use them for production requests.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
