Ensure the new key has the "Premium" scope. Some keys are read-only, while others allow file submission. Verify that your automation scripts have the necessary permissions for the actions they perform (e.g., file upload vs. file scan ).
Public API constraints and restrictions The Public API is limited to 500 requests per day and a rate of 4 requests per minute. VirusTotal Getting started virustotal premium api key upd
—as these are strictly governed by paid licenses starting at significant annual costs—you can access a Public API key for free by joining the VirusTotal Community Ensure the new key has the "Premium" scope
If you are looking to update your current implementation or troubleshoot an "upd" (update) issue, keep these best practices in mind: file scan )
If you have administrative access to the VirusTotal Premium portal, here is the manual update workflow as of 2025.