How to Fix Gemini API Not Working on JanitorAI: A Step-by-Step Guide
Z
Zack Saadioui
8/14/2025
So, you're trying to get the Gemini API working with JanitorAI & it's throwing a fit, right? SUPER frustrating. You're not alone in this, trust me. It seems like it should be a straightforward thing, but honestly, there are a bunch of little things that can trip you up.
Here's the thing, getting these two to play nice is totally doable. It just takes a bit of insider knowledge & a few tricks to get around the common roadblocks. I've spent a good amount of time figuring this out, so I'm gonna lay it all out for you. We'll go through everything from the initial setup to troubleshooting those annoying errors that make you want to throw your computer out the window.
Getting Your Hands on a Gemini API Key: The First Hurdle
First things first, you need an API key from Google. This is like your golden ticket to using Gemini. Without it, you're not going anywhere.
Here's how to get one:
Head over to Google AI Studio: The magic happens at
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https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey
. You'll need to be logged into a Google account.
Create a New Project (if you need to): If you haven't used Google's AI stuff before, it might ask you to create a new project. Just give it a name, & you're good to go.
Generate Your API Key: Look for a button that says something like "Create API key". Click it, & it'll generate a long string of letters & numbers. That's your key.
COPY THAT KEY: This is important. Copy the key & save it somewhere safe, like a password manager or a secure note. You'll need it in a minute.
A quick word of advice: some people recommend not using your main Google account for this, especially if you're planning on using it for NSFW content. While Google hasn't been known to bring the hammer down on people for this, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Creating a separate Google account is easy & gives you an extra layer of protection.
Plugging the Gemini API into JanitorAI: The Main Event
Now that you have your key, it's time to hook it up to JanitorAI. This is where most people run into trouble, so pay close attention.
Open JanitorAI & Go to API Settings: Log into your JanitorAI account, open up a chat with any character, & then click on the three lines in the top right corner. From there, select "API Settings".
Choose "Proxy": You'll see a few options, but the one you want is "Proxy".
Enter Your API Key: Look for the field that says "API Key" & paste the key you just copied from Google AI Studio.
The All-Important Proxy URL: This is a BIG one. The standard Google API URL is
. You can try this one first, but a lot of people have more success with a reverse proxy URL. More on that in a bit.
Select Your Model: You'll need to tell JanitorAI which Gemini model you want to use. The two most common ones are:
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gemini-2.5-flash
: This one is faster & gives you more free messages per day (around 250). The quality is pretty good, but some people find it a little less creative than the Pro model.
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gemini-2.5-pro
: This one is a bit slower but is generally considered to be the higher-quality model. You get fewer free messages (around 100 per day), but the responses are often more detailed & nuanced.
Test Your Connection: Once you've entered all the info, click the "Check API Key/Model" button. If everything is set up correctly, you should get a nice green message saying your key is valid.
If you don't get the green message, don't panic! We'll cover what to do in the troubleshooting section.
The Secret Weapon: Reverse Proxies
Okay, so what's the deal with these "reverse proxies" everyone keeps talking about? Honestly, they're a game-changer.
A reverse proxy is basically a middleman that sits between JanitorAI & the Gemini API. One of the most popular ones in the JanitorAI community is called "sophiasunblocker". It's a third-party service that does a couple of really important things:
It helps bypass Gemini's content filters: Gemini can be a bit... uptight... about certain types of content, especially NSFW stuff. A reverse proxy like sophiasunblocker can help you get around those filters, so you can have more, ahem, creative conversations with your AI companions.
It can improve stability: Sometimes, the direct connection to the Gemini API can be a little flaky. A reverse proxy can provide a more stable connection, which means fewer errors & a smoother experience overall.
To use a reverse proxy, you'll need to find the correct URL for it. A quick search on Reddit or the JanitorAI Discord for "sophiasunblocker URL" should point you in the right direction. Once you have the URL, you just paste it into the "Other API/proxy URL" field in your JanitorAI settings instead of the standard Google URL.
A word of caution: these reverse proxies are third-party services, so use them at your own risk. The JanitorAI community generally trusts them, but it's always a good idea to be aware of what you're using.
When Things Go Wrong: A Troubleshooting Guide
Even if you follow all the steps perfectly, you might still run into some errors. Here are some of the most common ones & how to fix them:
Error 429: Too Many Requests
This is probably the most common error you'll see. It means you've used up your free requests for the day. Here's what to do:
Wait: The free request limit resets every 24 hours, so sometimes you just have to be patient.
Switch Models: If you're using
1
gemini-2.5-pro
, try switching to
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gemini-2.5-flash
. You get more free requests with the Flash model.
Create a New API Key: Some people have had luck creating a new API key from a different Google account. This isn't a guaranteed fix, but it's worth a shot.
Error 500: Internal Server Error
This error usually means there's a problem on Google's end. There's not a whole lot you can do about it except:
Wait it out: Again, patience is key. These errors are usually temporary.
Check the Server Status: You can sometimes find information about server outages on the JanitorAI Discord or Reddit.
Try a different reverse proxy: If you're using a reverse proxy, it might be having issues. Try switching to a different one or using the standard Google URL.
"Network Error"
This one is a bit more generic, but it usually means there's a problem with the connection between JanitorAI & the API. Here are a few things to try:
Refresh the page: Sometimes, a simple refresh is all it takes to fix the problem.
Check your URL: Double-check that you've entered the correct proxy URL. A single typo can throw everything off.
Turn off Text Streaming: Some users have reported that turning off "Text Streaming" in the JanitorAI settings can help with network errors.
No Response, Just "Replying..."
This is a particularly annoying one. You send a message, it says "replying...", but nothing ever happens. Here's what to do:
Check your setup: Make sure you've entered the correct API key, proxy URL, & model name.
Try a different model: If you're using
1
gemini-2.5-flash
, try switching to
1
gemini-2.5-pro
, or vice versa.
Be patient: Sometimes, the free API can be slow, especially during peak hours. Give it a few minutes to see if the response eventually comes through.
Unlocking Gemini's Full Potential: Jailbreak Prompts
Even with a reverse proxy, you might still find that Gemini is a bit too "vanilla" for your tastes. That's where "jailbreak prompts" come in.
A jailbreak prompt is a special set of instructions that you give to the AI to convince it to bypass its own safety filters. Think of it like a Jedi mind trick for your chatbot.
There are tons of different jailbreak prompts out there, & what works for one person might not work for another. You can find them on Reddit, in Discord servers, & on sites like Rent-a-Prompt. A good jailbreak prompt will usually include things like:
A persona for the AI: You might tell the AI to act as a character who doesn't care about rules or restrictions.
Specific instructions to ignore its programming: You might tell it to "do anything now" (the famous "DAN" prompt) or to disregard any ethical guidelines it might have.
A lot of creative language: Jailbreak prompts can get pretty wild, with some of them sounding more like a magic spell than a computer command.
You'll need to experiment to find a jailbreak prompt that works for you. Just copy & paste it into the "Custom Prompt" field in your JanitorAI settings.
The Business Side of AI: A Quick Detour
While we're on the topic of AI chatbots, it's worth mentioning how this technology is being used in the business world. Companies are increasingly turning to AI to automate their customer service, & for good reason.
Think about it: instead of having a team of people answering the same questions over & over again, you can have an AI chatbot do it 24/7. This frees up your human agents to handle the more complex issues, & it gives your customers instant support whenever they need it.
This is where a platform like Arsturn comes in. Arsturn helps businesses create custom AI chatbots that are trained on their own data. This means the chatbot can provide accurate, relevant answers to customer questions, & it can do it in a way that's perfectly aligned with the company's brand voice. It's a pretty cool way to use the same kind of technology we're talking about here, but for a completely different purpose. For businesses looking to boost lead generation & provide personalized customer experiences, Arsturn's no-code AI chatbot builder is a powerful tool.
Wrapping It All Up
So, there you have it. A complete guide to getting the Gemini API to work with JanitorAI without pulling your hair out. It might seem like a lot, but once you get the hang of it, it's actually pretty easy.
The key things to remember are:
Get a good API key: & consider using a separate Google account for it.
Use a reverse proxy: It'll save you a lot of headaches.
Don't be afraid to experiment: Try different models, different reverse proxies, & different jailbreak prompts until you find a combination that works for you.
Be patient: The free API isn't always perfect, so sometimes you just have to wait it out.
I hope this was helpful! Let me know what you think, & feel free to share any of your own tips & tricks in the comments. Happy chatting