Usage limit reached repeatedly without active use — Pro plan
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?
I am a Claude Pro subscriber (email: 8co.design@gmail.com) experiencing a recurring issue where my usage limit reaches 100% without me actively using the service.
What's happening:
I open the Claude desktop app and find the "Current session" limit already at 100%, even though I have not used Claude since it last reset
After waiting for the ~5-hour reset, the limit fills up again in a very short time or is already full
This has been happening across multiple days, including overnight periods when I am asleep and not using the service
I have logged out of all devices to eliminate any possibility of another session or device consuming usage — yet the limit continues to fill
What I've ruled out (with technical investigation):
No scheduled tasks or cron jobs configured (verified via API)
No background Claude processes running when the desktop app is closed (verified via local logs — there is a confirmed gap in logs from 4:22 PM to 7:47 AM with zero activity)
No other devices or browser sessions (logged out of all devices)
No API keys configured that could be making unauthorized calls
Usage dashboard at time of report (screenshot attached):
Current session: 100% used, resets in 1 hr 18 min
All models (weekly): 76% used, resets in 23 hr 48 min
Claude Design (weekly): 91% used, resets in 23 hr 48 min
Account details:
Plan: Pro
Org ID (from local app logs): e55f4c29-29a0-45fc-987c-aca2af684bd5
Account ID: 38cc9d7c-4321-4afa-8728-90fdf35441c6
App version: Claude Desktop 1.8089.1, Claude Code 2.1.142
Platform: Windows 11 Home
Request:
Please investigate server-side usage logs for my account to identify what is consuming my session quota during periods of inactivity. This appears to be either a server-side usage attribution bug or an unauthorized server-side process running against my account.
What Should Happen?
Here's exactly what to paste into each field:
---
What Should Happen? (replace the existing text with this):
The usage limit should only decrease when I am actively using Claude. When I am not using the service — including when the desktop app is closed, when I am asleep, or after I have logged out of all devices — the usage counter should remain unchanged until I initiate a new conversation or session.---
Error Messages/Logs (paste this):
App version: Claude Desktop 1.8089.1 | Claude Code 2.1.142 | Windows 11 Home
Org ID: e55f4c29-29a0-45fc-987c-aca2af684bd5
Account ID: 38cc9d7c-4321-4afa-8728-90fdf35441c6
Local log confirms app was CLOSED overnight:
- Last log entry (May 20): 2026-05-20 16:22:34
- App restarted (May 21): 2026-05-21 07:47:01
- No log activity during that gap — app was not running
Usage at time of report:
- Current session: 100% used (resets in ~1hr 18min)
- All models (weekly): 76% used (resets in ~23hr 48min)
- Claude Design (weekly): 91% used (resets in ~23hr 48min)
Verified no background causes:
- No scheduled tasks configured (checked via mcp__scheduled-tasks__list_scheduled_tasks → empty)
- No cron jobs (CronList → empty)
- No other devices (logged out of all sessions)
- No API keys in use---
Scroll up on the form and also make sure the What Happened? / description field has the full summary from the bug report I wrote earlier. Would you like to share a screenshot of the rest of the form so I can help fill those fields too?
Error Messages/Logs
Here's exactly what to paste into each field:
---
**What Should Happen?** (replace the existing text with this):
The usage limit should only decrease when I am actively using Claude. When I am not using the service — including when the desktop app is closed, when I am asleep, or after I have logged out of all devices — the usage counter should remain unchanged until I initiate a new conversation or session.
---
**Error Messages/Logs** (paste this):
App version: Claude Desktop 1.8089.1 | Claude Code 2.1.142 | Windows 11 Home
Org ID: e55f4c29-29a0-45fc-987c-aca2af684bd5
Account ID: 38cc9d7c-4321-4afa-8728-90fdf35441c6
Local log confirms app was CLOSED overnight:
- Last log entry (May 20): 2026-05-20 16:22:34
- App restarted (May 21): 2026-05-21 07:47:01
- No log activity during that gap — app was not running
Usage at time of report:
- Current session: 100% used (resets in ~1hr 18min)
- All models (weekly): 76% used (resets in ~23hr 48min)
- Claude Design (weekly): 91% used (resets in ~23hr 48min)
Verified no background causes:
- No scheduled tasks configured (checked via mcp__scheduled-tasks__list_scheduled_tasks → empty)
- No cron jobs (CronList → empty)
- No other devices (logged out of all sessions)
- No API keys in use
---
Scroll up on the form and also make sure the **What Happened?** / description field has the full summary from the bug report I wrote earlier. Would you like to share a screenshot of the rest of the form so I can help fill those fields too?Steps to Reproduce
- Log in to Claude Pro on the desktop app (Windows 11)
- Use Claude normally during the day until the session limit is reached
- Close the desktop app completely
- Log out of all devices/sessions from account settings
- Wait overnight (8+ hours) without opening Claude on any device
- Open the Claude desktop app the next morning
- Check Settings → Usage
Observed: "Current session" is already at 100% used despite no activity
Expected: Usage counter should be unchanged since no sessions were initiated
Claude Model
None
Is this a regression?
No, this never worked
Last Working Version
_No response_
Claude Code Version
2.1.142 (Claude Code)
Platform
Anthropic API
Operating System
Windows
Terminal/Shell
PowerShell
Additional Information
- Issue occurs repeatedly across multiple days, not a one-time event
- Usage limit fills even after logging out of all devices/sessions
- Local investigation confirmed the desktop app was fully closed overnight
(log gap: 2026-05-20 16:22 → 2026-05-21 07:47, no entries in between)
- No scheduled tasks, cron jobs, or background agents configured
- "Claude Design" weekly limit at 91% — possibly a separate server-side
process tied to installed design plugins consuming usage passively
- Org ID: e55f4c29-29a0-45fc-987c-aca2af684bd5
- Account ID: 38cc9d7c-4321-4afa-8728-90fdf35441c6
Showing cached comments. Read the full discussion on GitHub ↗
16 Comments
Found 3 possible duplicate issues:
This issue will be automatically closed as a duplicate in 3 days.
🤖 Generated with Claude Code
Confirming this is still occurring as of 2026-05-21 on Claude Desktop 1.8089.1
/ Claude Code 2.1.142 / Windows 11. Issue persists even after logging out of
all devices. Local logs confirm the desktop app was fully closed during the
period of phantom consumption. Please keep this open as a separate data point.
Same for me today. First prompt and I get "Usage limit reached" message while my limits are far from being reached.
<img width="1293" height="442" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/b32c7a11-4340-4e06-b8a7-af0ebeb4e8f3" />
Changing model gives an error as well
<img width="1204" height="238" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/4404636d-338f-4c84-a6c4-4cb4a0728714" />
I just noticed this is effecting me as well. Went to try Opus 4.8 today, after not touching claude for well over a week(I primarily work with Codex) and before even sending a single message it says im out of usage for my 5 hour window.
Similar issue occurring except my usage limits aren't showing 100%. I am getting "usage limit reached" but my usage limits are showing un-used. I'm at 0% usage for the session and 12% for the week but all sessions are saying usage limit reached without any input or activity on my part.
I am experiencing the same issue.
My Claude usage limits are being consumed automatically even when I am not using the service. After a recent reset, my available quota was exhausted within approximately 10 minutes despite no prompts being submitted and no activity on my account.
Additionally, my weekly limit was reset two days ago, but it is already showing 88% usage without any actual usage from my side.
This has happened multiple times over the last 24 hours and is preventing me from using Claude altogether, as my limits are exhausted before I can submit a single prompt.
Can the team please investigate whether this issue is affecting multiple accounts and provide an update on the root cause and potential fix?
<img width="842" height="441" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/18aff387-396b-4051-98e0-f07ad9412be5" />
This is happening on my account too (Pro subscription). I waited 9 hours (overnight) from when I was locked out. 5 hours to hit the reset, and 4 more past that. When I hit "try again", the first command Claude tried to run failed (Workspace still starting), and then told me I hit my limit for the next 5 hours. The AI help bot even acknowledged that this is wrong, but I can't contact anyone to reopen my account or get credits to use in the meantime.
Attached screenshot happened at 10:40 am.
Seems like this is a pervasive bug, and users should be given some form of compensation for being locked out of a service we are paying for.
<img width="802" height="765" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/40fe9138-01e5-451e-8ac9-14835f8bb29a" />
happened again this morning. This was at 6:40, 5 hours after the reset, 10 hours after any previous work. The current prompt is a simple change of text in my app. Claude fired one command, returned almost immediately with "usage limit reached".
This appears to be a pattern - I used Claude quite a bit yesterday without this issue, both times when it did this, I had left it for substantially more than the 5 hour window. When I came back promptly at 5 hours this didn't happen.
This is happening to me too. No routines, no scheduled tasks, no active conversations, every session except the one I am monitoring from signed out, and yet I can just sit on the usage screen and watch it climb a percentage every couple minutes completely on its own.
Tentative Update: Like other people in this thread I had made sure to terminate all the active sessions from the account page of my settings, which didn't solve the problem. But after some digging around I found another list (11 pages!) of all my Claude Code authorizations going back months at the bottom of the Claude Code section of the settings. I went through and deleted them all, and since then I have not see any of my usage drain. Hopefully this can help someone else as well.
I am experiencing the same thing. I sent a prompt, about 10 seconds later I get an error message saying I have been rate limited, and I check my usage and I've gone from 0% to 65% in about 10-20 seconds flat. It also just happened to me then, went from 70% to 92% in an instant. Not sure what is going on.
@bcherny Is there any status on this?
I am actively experiencing this issue now as well. I am unsure what to do. Its very frustrating sitting down for the first time in the morning to work and finding out I can't use claude code because my usage is already maxed out and I have to wait ~4 hours or so for the window to reset.
For the past two days this has happened where it seems like my usage has continued to grow in the background during the evenings when I am asleep or just not actively using the service at all. I have checked I have no tasks running or loops going that I forgot to turn off. I have made sure to control-c out of my sessions when I am done in the evening. As a paying customer, I feel like I am paying for a service that I can't even actually use now for reasons that are completely unknown. It would be helpful if there were more logs or something we could see that would help give me some sort of better idea as to whats going on.
This is the first time this has happened to me. Is there any status on if this will be fixed?
I am facing same issue in team plan
I have the same issue. My limits are always exceeded since 20.7. and I am not using claude since 16.7. Yesterday I wanted to create a new project, it said my weekly limits has been exceeded (even when I did not use claude for more then a week). When I checked the usage graph, it said weekly limit was used up by 100%, current session limit was used up to 0%. It said on 28.7. at 7 am the weekly limit will get reset.
So today I checked my claude at 9:30 am. The current session limit was exceeded with 100% usage. It said in 2 1/2h the current session limit will get reset (what would mean the 5h timer til a current session limit gets reset has started right after the weekly limit has been reset without me interacting with claude in any way). I am not using any api, I don't have a terminal or console using claude. I simply had Claude Code connected through mcp with unreal engine. But the connection works only when the unreal engine application is running. So what is using my limits and how do I get access to a human support employee to help me with this issue.
I am using Claude Desktop or Claude Code on a Mac and on a Windows 11 with version Claude 1.24012.9 (03c61d) 2026-07-24T04:59:17.000Z
Something what might be worth mentioning, on 20.7. it seems claude wanted to upgrade the plan from Max5 to Max20. Myself didn't order the update, what is really frightening. I got failed payment notifications on my smartphone (several times, around 2-3 times). I didn't order this upgrade and I wasn't using claude to that time. The main plan max5 which is currently running is paid. Maybe this payment failure blocks my limits to regenerate.
Subject: Weekly usage consumed automatically with no activity; missed weekly reset
Description:
My weekly usage limit is being consumed without any prompts or activity on my account.
Timeline:
Environment:
Steps to reproduce:
Expected: Usage should remain at 0% until I actually submit prompts.
Actual: Weekly usage climbed to 27% with zero activity.
Additional info:
Request: Request:
pro-rated credit or refund for the affected billing period.
<img width="1472" height="880" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/443768a7-cc48-494a-b5c9-0ba5d7f793e8" />
<img width="1086" height="641" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/56ad70bd-6f80-4407-8f18-f8bb25a7866f" />
<img width="1472" height="880" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/11de634d-92fb-41d8-b38b-b3154711c854" />
Adding a controlled Max 20x reproduction from August 3, 2026 (Mauritius time). My unexplained drain began around 03:00 and recurred after later resets. During a deliberately idle reset watch, the account moved from 0% at ~23:01 (“Starts when a message is sent”) to 11% at ~23:05, 59% at ~23:13, and 100% at ~23:19 without a prompt. Weekly all-model usage rose 57% → 72% and Fable rose 5% → 6%.
A passive local watcher sampled every 10 seconds and recorded no non-baseline Claude/IDE process, Claude session-file change, or matching Claude/IDE network connection during the 0→100% interval. Active sessions, scheduled tasks, Claude Code authorization tokens, Claude Desktop, Claude in Chrome, and extra usage had already been disabled or ruled out. The historical-authorization workaround reported above is important, but there were no visible Claude Code authorization tokens remaining on this account.
Anthropic support conversation: 215475337901788. Organization ID for Anthropic account correlation: d2a6bf95-6095-40a6-b8b7-7e2b7f7b5251. Canonical evidence/timeline: #54750 (my comment: https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/54750#issuecomment-5170696925).
Only Anthropic can close the attribution gap. Please identify the product surface, OAuth client/grant or token family, request IDs, source IP/user agent, model and token totals for 19:01–19:19 UTC on August 3, and restore the allowance if those requests were not initiated by me.
Additional independent corroboration — August 4, 2026
This Reddit report now documents multiple Max users describing the same idle-drain pattern, including usage increasing after resets while computers were off, authorization tokens had been deleted, and scheduled tasks had been paused or removed:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ClaudeAI/comments/1v8d1ck/possible_claude_max_usage_bug_session_limit/
A separate user has also linked that discussion from #82506 after reporting continued depletion despite closing all sessions, powering off or reformatting computers, and deleting authorization tokens: https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/82506#issuecomment-5180686754
These community reports do not establish a root cause, but they provide independent corroboration and make an ordinary local stuck process less persuasive. Anthropic still needs to inspect the account-level request ledger to identify the originating product surface, authorization family, request metadata, model, and token totals. My controlled reproductions and support correlation remain documented in #54750 under support Conversation ID 215475337901788.