OpenAI pauses new Pro subscriptions as Astra demand overwhelms servers
OpenAI has temporarily stopped sign-ups for its $200-per-month Pro plan because the surge in demand for its new Astra model is straining its infrastructure.
OpenAI disclosed that it is disabling new registrations for its $200-per-month Pro subscription after the launch of Astra generated demand beyond its current capacity. Product leader Thibault (Tibo) Sottiaux explained that the Pro tier consumes the most resources, prompting the temporary pause to maintain reliable service for current customers. He noted that the company’s other tiers—API access, the lower-cost Go plan, and the Plus plan—are still available.
Astra, introduced on September 3, is being rolled out across all OpenAI plans and is touted as a significant leap in AI reasoning, coding and computer interaction, which has amplified user interest. The firm warned that the pause could last as long as the surge continues, though no specific timeline was given. OpenAI recently raised usage limits for Codex users, indicating that the current strain is a new development.
Why it matters
The pause shows how rapidly AI demand can outpace infrastructure, affecting access to advanced tools for developers and businesses.
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