GitHub Copilot Authentication Failed — Invalid Client ID or Secret

What this error means

GitHub Copilot Login: The client_id and/or client_secret passed are incorrect is a GitHub Copilot failure pattern reported for developers trying to fix github copilot login error with incorrect client_id or client_secret. Based on the imported evidence, treat this as a tool-specific troubleshooting page rather than a generic API error.

Why this happens

Bug report on microsoft/terminal (issue #20198, created 2026-05-07). After fresh install of Windows Terminal Canary, GitHub Copilot authentication fails with ‘The client_id and/or client_secret passed are incorrect’ error during OAuth flow. Affects developers trying to use Copilot Chat integration.

Common causes

• Developers installing Windows Terminal Canary or similar tools that integrate GitHub Copilot Chat encounter an OAuth authentication failure during GitHub login. The error ‘The client_id and/or client_secret passed are incorrect’ blocks access to Copilot features entirely.
• Bug report on microsoft/terminal (issue #20198, created 2026-05-07). After fresh install of Windows Terminal Canary, GitHub Copilot authentication fails with ‘The client_id and/or client_secret passed are incorrect’ error during OAuth flow. Affects developers trying to use Copilot Chat integration.

Quick fixes

1. Confirm the exact error signature matches GitHub Copilot Login: The client_id and/or client_secret passed are incorrect.
2. Check the GitHub Copilot account, local tool state, and provider configuration involved in the failing workflow.
3. Verify the account session, API key, provider settings, and environment where the failing tool is running.

Platform/tool-specific checks

• Verify the command, editor, extension, or API client that produced the error.
• Compare local settings with CI, deployment, or editor-level settings when the error appears in only one environment.
• Avoid deleting credentials, local model data, or project settings until the failing scope is clear.

Step-by-step troubleshooting

1. Capture the exact error message and the command, editor action, or request that triggered it.
2. Check whether the failure is account/auth, quota/rate, model/provider, local runtime, or deployment configuration.
3. Review the source evidence below and compare it with your environment.
4. Apply one change at a time and rerun the smallest failing action.
5. Keep the working fix documented for the team or deployment environment.

How to prevent it

• Keep provider/tool configuration documented.
• Record non-secret diagnostics such as tool version, provider name, model name, and command path.
• Add a lightweight check before CI or production workflows depend on the tool.

Sources checked

• https://github.com/microsoft/terminal/issues/20198

Evidence note: Bug report on microsoft/terminal (issue #20198, created 2026-05-07). After fresh install of Windows Terminal Canary, GitHub Copilot authentication fails with ‘The client_id and/or client_secret passed are incorrect’ error during OAuth flow. Affects developers trying to use Copilot Chat integration.

Related errors

• GitHub Copilot OAuth error
• GitHub Copilot authentication failed
• Windows Terminal Copilot not working

FAQ

What should I check first?

Start with the exact GitHub Copilot Login: The client_id and/or client_secret passed are incorrect text and the smallest action that reproduces it.

Can I ignore this error?

No. Treat it as a failed GitHub Copilot workflow until the root cause is understood.

Is this guaranteed to have one fix?

No. The imported evidence supports the troubleshooting path above, but tool behavior can vary by account, plan, version, provider, and local configuration.

How do I know the fix worked?

Rerun the same command, editor action, or request. The fix is working when that action completes without GitHub Copilot Login: The client_id and/or client_secret passed are incorrect.