Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix 0x19 Error – How to resolve the error: gpg: bad data signature from key: Wrong key usage (0x19, 0x2)

GPG error with wrong key usage (0x19, 0x2) resolved by checking key usage.

Quick Answer: Check the key usage in your gpg keyring and ensure it matches the intended use.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. ⚠️ Common Causes
  2. 🚀 How to Resolve This Issue
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The error 'gpg: bad data signature from key: Wrong key usage (0x19, 0x2)' occurs when you run the command `gpg --keyid-format LONG -K` and see a private information replaced with upper case values. This issue affects users who have a GnuPG key that has an invalid key usage flag set.

This error can be frustrating because it prevents you from viewing the full details of your GnuPG key. However, resolving this issue is relatively straightforward and can be done by following one of the methods outlined below.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The primary reason for this error is that the key usage flag (0x19) in your GnuPG key is set to indicate that the key should not be used for encryption. However, when you run the command `gpg --keyid-format LONG -K`, it may display a private information replaced with upper case values due to an invalid key usage flag.
  • Alternatively, the issue could also be caused by a corrupted or incomplete GnuPG keyring file (pubring.gpg). In this case, you may need to regenerate your keyring using the `gpg --reimport` command.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Regenerating the Keyring

  1. Step 1: Stop any GnuPG processes that are currently running and close the terminal window where you ran the command.
  2. Step 2: Delete the existing pubring.gpg file in your user directory (e.g., `/Users/balupton/.gnupg/pubring.gpg`).
  3. Step 3: Run the `gpg --reimport` command to regenerate the keyring. You will be prompted to enter your password to authenticate with your GnuPG keychain.

Manually Editing the Key Usage Flag

  1. Step 1: Open the pubring.gpg file in a text editor (e.g., `nano /Users/balupton/.gnupg/pubring.gpg`).
  2. Step 2: Locate the line that contains the key usage flag (0x19) and change it to 0x10, which indicates that the key should be used for encryption. Save the changes and exit the text editor.
  3. Step 3: Run the `gpg --keyid-format LONG -K` command again to verify that the updated keyring is being displayed correctly.

💡 Conclusion

To resolve the 'gpg: bad data signature from key: Wrong key usage (0x19, 0x2)' error, you can regenerate your GnuPG keyring using the `gpg --reimport` command or manually edit the key usage flag in the pubring.gpg file. Either method should resolve the issue and allow you to view the full details of your GnuPG key.

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