Quick answer
First identify what ran out: credits, premium requests, or a seat cap set by an admin. Then check whether additional usage billing is enabled. If it is off, you wait for the period reset or ask an admin to raise the cap. If it is on, you can continue at published rates.
Identify the block
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Premium features stop, completions work | Credits or requests exhausted | Wait, or enable additional usage |
| Everything stops | Seat disabled or billing issue | Admin or billing |
| Limit lower than expected | Org cap on the seat | Ask an admin |
| Reset date passed but still blocked | Cached view or timezone | Reopen settings |
Fastest fixes
- Open Copilot settings and confirm the unit and period end.
- Check whether additional usage is enabled.
- If you are on a team, confirm the seat cap with an admin.
- Switch to the default model for routine work if some allowance remains.
- Use another tool for the rest of the period if the block is hard.
Prevent the next one
- Track the balance weekly.
- Set an alert at 80% of the period allowance.
- Keep agent runs short.
- Ask for a cap that matches real usage rather than the default.
The remaining credits guide shows where to read the number.
When the monthly allowance is gone
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Premium chat blocked | Allowance spent | Wait, or enable overage |
| Completions still work | Standard model unaffected | Continue with the default model |
| Overage charges appear | Overage enabled | Set a budget or disable it |
| Everyone blocked at once | Org pool exhausted | Ask an admin |
The fix depends on which unit ran out. Check the billing page for the cycle date before buying anything, because a renewal a day away is cheaper than an overage.
See premium request overage for the billing mechanics.
Questions, answered
What does 'you have reached your monthly limit' mean?
The allowance for your plan or seat is exhausted for the current billing period. Premium features are blocked until it resets or the cap is raised.
Can I buy more Copilot usage?
Some plans allow additional usage billing. Check the billing section of Copilot settings.
Does the limit reset on the first of the month?
It resets at the end of your billing period, which may not be the calendar month.