[BUG] [Billing] Subscription stuck in broken state after card expiry - unable to re-subscribe or update payment method
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:
- Add a new payment method via the Stripe Customer Portal (link should be visible on billing page)
- 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
- Have an active Claude Max subscription
- Card on file fails due to insufficient funds
- Account is downgraded to Free plan
- Navigate to claude.ai/settings/billing
- Note: No Stripe Customer Portal link is visible
- Click "Upgrade" to re-subscribe with a new card
- Receive error: "You already have an active subscription"
- 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" />
This issue has 3 comments on GitHub. Read the full discussion on GitHub ↗