OPENAI has suspended new subscriptions to the ChatGPT Pro 20x tier, citing severe computational capacity shortages. As of 11 September 2026, existing 20x subscribers can continue using and renewing their plans, but new sign-ups are barred. The move follows reports of widespread capacity-related errors, with many users seeing the message “Selected model is at capacity. Please try a different model” during routine use. The article frames this as a systemic capacity constraint rather than a policy change affecting existing users.
The piece notes a perceived decline in performance of the GPT-6 Astra model, though a representative from Codex Technical Management suggests there has been no covert downgrading and attributes perceived quality changes to user experience and perception. It also implies that OpenAI’s history of quota resets for developers may be ending, given the current capacity crunch, and warns that remaining reset cards could offer only a fraction of their prior value.
For users who have surpassed the 5x Pro tier, the article explains that the official guidance is to purchase additional credits or switch to the API, effectively moving to a pay-as-you-go model. Overall, the report presents a picture of a temporary halt on new high-end subscriptions driven by capacity limits, with ongoing debates about model quality and the cost implications for heavy users.