Check the source
Use the manual key or otpauth link from the account’s enrollment screen. Passwords, session tokens, and recovery codes are not substitutes.
Check the copied text
Look for missing characters, line breaks, or punctuation introduced while copying. Base32 typically uses letters A–Z and digits 2–7; do not guess replacements for unclear characters.
Use the original link when available
An otpauth link may include settings that a bare key does not. The URI validator can help identify missing or conflicting fields.
If the original key is gone
The service may require a new enrollment or account recovery. A generator cannot reconstruct a secret from past codes.