HTTP Request node returns "Authorization header required" on self-hosted instance

[kevinzing169]

I am trying to make a POST request to the Retell AI API. The API call works successfully with curl from my server’s terminal. However, the same request fails in the HTTP Request node in n8n.

The curl command I used is: curl -X POST https://api.retellai.com/v2/create-phone-call -H "Authorization: Bearer <your-key>" ...

The HTTP Request node has Authentication set to None, and I’ve manually added both the Authorization and Content-Type headers.

The API is responding with a 401 - Authorization failed error and the body {"error_message":"Authorization header required"}.

please help

[jabbson]

Hello @kevinzing169 hope all is well, welcome to the community.

@kevinzing169

The HTTP Request node has Authentication set to None, and I’ve manually added both the Authorization and Content-Type headers.

I do not see that Authorization header on the screenshot.
You can either add it directly as a header or you can add it with Authentication - Generic Credential Type - Bearer.

[withabdul]

Hi @kevinzing169, welcome to community!

As you can see from official retell documentation, you need to add your retell token to your n8n.
Simply use Generic, choose bearer, and create new credentials, you do not need add Bearer to the first word in your new token credentials, just pass your token directly to it.