How to fix JWT token invalid in Kubernetes

KubernetesADVANCEDHIGH

This error occurs when Kubernetes API server rejects a request due to an invalid, expired, or malformed JWT authentication token, affecting API access and service account authentication.

What this error means

The "JWT token invalid" error indicates that the JWT presented for authentication is invalid, expired, or cannot be verified.

Typical symptoms

kubectl fails with Unauthorized
Pod cannot reach API
Service account rejected
Application API returns 401

Common causes

Token expired
No valid signature
Token revoked
API server key rotation mismatch

How to fix "JWT token invalid"

1Check token

kubectl exec -it <pod> -- cat /var/run/secrets/kubernetes.io/serviceaccount/token

2Rotate token

kubectl delete secret <sa-name>-token-xxx -n <namespace>

3Check key rotation

kubectl logs -n kube-system pod/kube-apiserver-<node> | grep -i key

4Verify OIDC

kubectl get pods -n kube-system -o yaml | grep -i oidc

Advanced notes

Token lifespan: 1.24+ tokens no longer expire by default. Use Service Account Volume Projection for short-lived tokens.

Related errors

Official resources & further reading

📚Kubernetes Official Documentation
📖
Kubernetes Docs: Authentication(Official Docs)
📖
Kubernetes Docs: Audit Logging(Official Docs)
💬
Stack Overflow: Kubernetes JWT authentication(Stack Overflow)