How to Fix Google Ads “You Need to Create aPasskey” Error on VPS / RDP

If you run Google Ads inside a Remote Desktop (RDP) VPS, you may suddenly encounter a popup saying: ‘You need to create a passkey to perform this action’ when creating campaigns, adding
billing, or changing ad groups.

When you click Create a Passkey, Chrome opens a Windows Hello dialog asking to ‘Insert your security key and touch it’. Because a remote VPS server has no physical USB Yubi Key or fingerprint scanner attached, users get stuck in an infinite security key loop.

The Problem: Why Google Ads Loops on Remote Desktop

1. Google Ads blocks your action with a security requirement popup

2. Clicking ‘Create a Passkey’ on the VPS triggers the stuck Windows Security key prompt because there is no physical USB key inserted in the cloud server:

Step-by-Step Solution: Create & Approve Passkey on Mobile Phone

Follow these clear steps on your personal mobile phone to create and register your passkey without needing hardware keys on your VPS:

Step 1: Open Google Account Security on Your Mobile Phone

Do NOT create the passkey through the Google Ads popup. Instead, open a web browser on your mobile phone and navigate directly to:
Direct Link: myaccount.google.com/sign in options/passkeys, On the page, tap the button: ‘+ Create a passkey’.

Step 2: Tap ‘Create a passkey’ on the Mobile Popup

When the dialog appears stating ‘Create a passkey for your Google Account – Create a passkey to start signing in with just your fingerprint, face, or screen lock’, tap the blue ‘Create a passkey’
button.

Step 3: Tap ‘Continue’ and Verify Phone Biometrics

On the Android system sheet, tap the cyan ‘Continue’ button. Scan your phone’s Fingerprint, Face ID, or enter your Screen Lock PIN. Your passkey is now created.

Step 4: Tap ‘Approve’ to Authorize the New Passkey

Under Google Password Manager, find the newly created passkey and tap the blue ‘Approve’ button. This authorizes your passkey and initiates the security synchronization.

Step 5: Observe the 24 to 48-Hour Pairing Cooldown

As explicitly noted in the Google Ads popup: ‘New passkeys take 1 to 2 days to pair with Ads. Try attempting this action again after this period.

Google Ads enforces a mandatory 24 to 48-hour security waiting period after a new passkey is registered. Simply wait 1 to 2 days for Google’s servers to sync your passkey, then log back into
Google Ads on your VPS to complete your campaign edits!

Step 6: Observe the 24 to 48-Hour Pairing Cooldown

As explicitly noted in the Google Ads popup: ‘New passkeys take 1 to 2 days to pair with Ads. Try attempting this action again after this period. ‘Google Ads enforces a mandatory 24 to 48-hour security waiting period after a new passkey is registered. Simply wait 1 to 2 days for Google’s servers to sync your passkey, then log back into
Google Ads on your VPS to complete your campaign edits!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)