🔑 Reauthenticate the WordPress Plugin After API Key V2

🔍 Overview

Search Atlas has moved to API Key V2. After the migration, your WordPress plugin may need to be reauthenticated so it can keep communicating with your Search Atlas account. Some customers find that the Search Atlas API Key field in the plugin is locked and cannot be edited. They then wonder whether the Plugin Auth Token field should be overwritten instead. This article explains how to approach that situation safely.

❓ Why You Might See This Issue

• The plugin was connected to your account before the V2 migration, so it still holds credentials from the older key.
• The Search Atlas API Key field is read-only while the plugin considers itself connected, so you can't type or paste a new key into it.
• The Plugin Auth Token is a separate credential the plugin uses to prove its connection. It is not the same thing as your API key.

Because these are two different credentials, pasting your new V2 key into the Plugin Auth Token field is not the recommended fix. Doing so can break the connection or cause authentication errors.

🚫 What Not to Do

• Do not paste your new API Key V2 into the Plugin Auth Token field.
• Do not delete or edit the Plugin Auth Token manually unless a member of our team has told you to.
• Do not uninstall the plugin as a first step. This is rarely needed and can remove settings you want to keep.

🛠️ Step-by-Step: Reauthenticate the Plugin

1. Log in to your Search Atlas account and open your account or API settings.
2. Locate your API Key V2. If you don't have one yet, generate a new key and copy it somewhere safe.
3. In your WordPress dashboard, go to the Search Atlas plugin settings page.
4. Look for a Disconnect, Reconnect, Reauthenticate, or similar button. Button names can vary slightly between plugin versions.
5. Select that option to clear the current connection. This should unlock the Search Atlas API Key field.
6. Paste your new API Key V2 into the Search Atlas API Key field and save.
7. Let the plugin generate a fresh Plugin Auth Token automatically. You should not need to enter this value yourself.
8. Confirm that the plugin shows a connected status and that your site data loads as expected.

✅ How to Confirm It Worked

• The plugin settings page shows a connected or active status.
• There are no authentication or invalid key warnings in the plugin or in your WordPress admin notices.
• Your site appears correctly in your Search Atlas account.

💡 Troubleshooting Tips

• The API Key field is still locked: Refresh the page and clear your browser cache. Then check again for a disconnect or reconnect option in the plugin settings.
• You see an invalid key error: Make sure you copied the full key with no extra spaces at the beginning or end. Also confirm you are using the V2 key, not an older one.
• The plugin still appears disconnected: Make sure the plugin is updated to the latest version from your WordPress dashboard, then repeat the steps above.
• A caching or security plugin is interfering: Temporarily clear your site cache. Some security plugins can also block the connection request, so check their logs if the problem continues.

🔒 Keeping Your Keys Secure

• Treat your API key like a password and never share it publicly.
• If you think a key was exposed, generate a new one and reauthenticate the plugin.
• Remove old keys you no longer use.

💬 Need More Help?

If the API Key field stays locked, or you are unsure which field to update, please don't overwrite the Plugin Auth Token on your own. Our team can check your connection and guide you through the right step.

If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.