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AI credits

David Royall 0 Reputation points
2026-04-20T18:58:09.6166667+00:00

How can I avoid this: Unfortunately, I can't complete that request because you're out of AI credits this month. Your credits will refill at the start of the next month.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Subscription, account, billing | Other | Other

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  1. AI answer

    2026-04-20T18:58:21.79+00:00

    To avoid seeing the message that AI credits are exhausted, the only supported options are:

    1. Use fewer AI features until credits reset
      • AI credits are a monthly usage allotment for AI features (for example, Copilot actions in Microsoft 365 and Windows apps like Word, Excel, Paint, Notepad, Designer, etc.).
      • Once the monthly credits are used, AI features stop working with that message until credits automatically refill at the start of the next month.
    2. Check current AI credit usage
      • Go to Services & subscriptions in the Microsoft account to see AI credits and feature limits status.
      • For Notepad specifically, remaining AI credits can be viewed via the AI Credit Balance button in the profile menu.
    3. Increase available AI usage by upgrading
      • Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers receive 60 AI credits per month for supported apps (for example, Notepad and Image Creator in Paint).
      • If all monthly credits are used, additional AI usage can be obtained by subscribing to Copilot Pro, which provides extensive usage of AI features.
    4. Wait for the monthly reset
      • AI credits for Microsoft 365 subscribers are automatically replenished at the beginning of each month. After that, AI features can be used again until the new monthly allotment is consumed.

    There is no way to bypass the credit system; avoiding the error requires either reducing usage, waiting for the reset, or moving to a plan (such as Copilot Pro) that provides more AI capacity.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Kai-H 18,190 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-04-21T09:58:39.43+00:00

    Hi, David Royall

    This message does not always mean you truly have no AI access left. In a lot of cases, Microsoft is still seeing the wrong account, an unrefreshed license, blocked privacy settings, or a file/browser setup that prevents Copilot from validating properly.

    Besides the solutions provided by the Q&A Assist, here are some suggestions you can try:

    Make sure the app is signed in with the account that actually owns the Copilot benefit. If it is a Microsoft 365 Family plan, only the person who bought the subscription gets the AI features.

    In Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, go to File > Account > Update License, then fully close and reopen the apps. That can force the subscription and Copilot entitlement to refresh.

    Check privacy settings and turn on both “Experiences that analyze your content” and “All connected experiences,” because Copilot will not work if either is off.

    If using Copilot on the web, avoid InPrivate/Incognito and allow third-party cookies. Blocked cookies can stop license validation.

    If the file is stored outside OneDrive or SharePoint, move or copy it there first. That is recommended when Copilot has trouble validating on certain file locations.

    If none of that helps, run the Copilot License Troubleshooter in the Get Help app.

    Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment."    

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