This is the number one problem that students have when they initially login to Qwiklabs. Qwiklabs has a number of portals; make sure you use the right one, and specify it explicitly.

In order to access the labs for a class, you must be logged into Qwiklabs with the same email that you used to register for the class. Many classes require a corporate email address.

You can have multiple Qwiklabs accounts, so be sure that you are using the correct one for the class.

To login into Qwiklabs, you do use your email address. But when you start each lab, Qwiklabs creates a new user account (student-x-nnnn) and project for you. To complete the lab, you need to open the Google Cloud console using the temporary student account.

When you open the Google Cloud console, it may automatically authenticate you with your default credentials. This is not what you want! Here are the preferred ways to avoid this problem:

• Use an incognito window for Qwiklabs. In some browsers, this is called a private or anonymous window. Incognito windows force you to enter the credentials - that is what we want. But some corporate environments block this option.

• Use a different browser. For example, if you normally use Chrome, try using Firefox for the labs. Again, your browser options may be limited on a corporate computer.

• Use a different computer. If you have access to a personal computer, use it for the labs. You only need to use your business email as an identifier for logging into Qwiklabs; you don't need to be on a corporate computer. This avoids any possibility of conflicts with your corporate Google Cloud resources, and is the best option if available.

If you can't use any of these tips, you will have to correct the username each time you open the console: mouse over the user icon in the console. If your corporate credentials appear, choose logout. Login again using the student credentials that Qwiklabs provided. Repeat for each Google Cloud console tab and window.

When errors occur after starting a lab, the most common reason is that either the project or the credentials are wrong. It is a best practice to quickly check these two items each time you log into the console. Checking the project is a best practice in general, in both the lab environment and in your corporate environment; get in the habit of checking every time you login.

Both these items appear in the top blue bar of the console. If the project name doesn't match the one that is given on the directions page for the lab, use the drop-down to select the correct project. Mouse over the person icon and verify that the credentials also match the lab instructions.

Important note: Remember that the project name and student account will change for every lab. Be sure that you are not reusing old credentials and that your lab timer has not expired!

For help with specific problems and solutions, check out the Troubleshooting and FAQ page.