[BUG] [Billing] Subscription stuck in broken state after card expiry - unable to re-subscribe or update payment method

Resolved 💬 3 comments Opened Apr 19, 2026 by BestSolutionNo Closed May 26, 2026

Preflight Checklist

  • [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
  • [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
  • [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

My Claude Max plan subscription lapsed because my credit card had insufficient funds.
The plan was downgraded to Free. When I tried to upgrade again with a new card,
I received an error saying I already have an "active subscription" — even though
I am on the Free tier. The system will not let me add a new card or re-subscribe.

Additionally, the Billing page on claude.ai does NOT show any link to the Stripe
Customer Portal, which would normally allow me to update my payment method.
The account is stuck in a broken intermediate state between Free and paid.

What Should Happen?

After a failed payment and plan downgrade, the user should be able to:

  1. Add a new payment method via the Stripe Customer Portal (link should be visible on billing page)
  2. Re-subscribe to the Max plan without receiving a false "active subscription" error

Error Messages/Logs

when I choose upgrade (only option) in settings/billing, and fill out card information, I got error: "You have a active subscription", my plan is now Free and no button for ReSubscribe. Only Upgrade, that is not working.

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Have an active Claude Max subscription
  2. Card on file fails due to insufficient funds
  3. Account is downgraded to Free plan
  4. Navigate to claude.ai/settings/billing
  5. Note: No Stripe Customer Portal link is visible
  6. Click "Upgrade" to re-subscribe with a new card
  7. Receive error: "You already have an active subscription"
  8. There is no option to update payment method or re-subscribe

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

No, this never worked

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

N/A - This is a claude.ai web billing issue, not a Claude Code issue. Reporting here as it appears to be the most monitored Anthropic GitHub repository.

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

  • I contacted Anthropic Support and received an automated response after several

weeks that did not address the issue (screenshot attached)

  • The support ticket was effectively closed with a note saying further replies

may not be monitored

  • I posted on Twitter/X @AnthropicAI with no response
  • This appears to be a Stripe subscription state issue where the subscription

object still exists in Stripe but is in a failed/canceled state, while
claude.ai incorrectly treats it as "active"

  • Screenshot of billing page showing missing Stripe portal link is attached

<img width="1477" height="994" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/320137d5-ff15-4919-bfba-b9dde91682e4" />

View original on GitHub ↗

This issue has 3 comments on GitHub. Read the full discussion on GitHub ↗