> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pinsearch.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Why a feature says active subscription required

> Understand why some Pinsearch tools require active access before they can be used.

Some Pinsearch tools require active access before they can open or run.

If your account does not have active access, Pinsearch sends you to **Billing** or shows a message such as **Active subscription required**.

## What counts as active access

Pinsearch access can come from:

* An active free trial.
* An active Basic, Plus, or Pro subscription.
* A paid lifetime license that has not been refunded.

Credit packs do not count as active access by themselves.

## Why this can happen

You may see an active access message if:

* Your free trial ended.
* Your subscription expired.
* Your subscription was cancelled and the paid period ended.
* Your subscription is paused.
* Your subscription is unpaid.
* Your lifetime purchase was refunded.
* You bought a credit pack but do not have trial, subscription, or lifetime access.

## Tools that may send you to Billing

Pinsearch checks active access before opening several core tools, including:

* Keyword Finder.
* Pin Explorer.
* Profile Explorer.
* Projects.
* Pin Titles.
* Articles.

Some creation actions can also show **Active subscription required** when access is missing.

## What to do

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Billing">
    Go to **Billing** from the Pinsearch sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check your status">
    Look for your current plan, trial, lifetime license, or subscription status.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fix the access issue">
    Choose a plan, resume a paused subscription, update a payment method, or buy lifetime access.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Try the feature again">
    Return to the tool after your billing status updates.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## If you have credits but no access

Credits and access are separate.

You can have credits on your account and still be unable to spend them if access is inactive.

For example, a credit pack can add credits, but Pinsearch still requires a free trial, active subscription, or lifetime license before those credits can be used.

## If you recently paid

If you recently subscribed, bought lifetime, or updated a payment method:

1. Refresh Pinsearch.
2. Open **Billing** and confirm the status.
3. Open **Settings** > **Credits & Usage** and confirm **Access active**.
4. If access still does not update, contact support.

## Related guides

* [Free trial access and what happens when it ends](/pinsearch-product-guides/billing-credits-and-access/free-trial-access-and-what-happens-when-it-ends)
* [Update your payment method and open the customer portal](/pinsearch-product-guides/billing-credits-and-access/update-payment-method-and-customer-portal)
* [Pause, resume, or cancel a subscription](/pinsearch-product-guides/billing-credits-and-access/pause-resume-or-cancel-a-subscription)
* [Top up with credit packs](/pinsearch-product-guides/billing-credits-and-access/top-up-with-credit-packs)