OpenAI Pauses New ChatGPT Pro Sign-Ups Amid Astra Demand

OpenAI has temporarily paused new sign-ups and upgrades for its $200-per-month ChatGPT Pro plan, citing pressure on its infrastructure following the rollout of GPT-6 Astra. The company’s support documentation confirms that the pause began on September 10, 2026, and affects the highest-priced consumer Pro tier.

The move comes shortly after Astra was introduced as OpenAI’s latest flagship model. The rollout has generated substantial demand, with reports indicating that some paying users experienced difficulties accessing the model as OpenAI managed capacity during the initial release.

The Pro plan normally provides users with higher usage limits and access to OpenAI’s most capable models and features. By temporarily closing new subscriptions, OpenAI appears to be prioritising service availability for existing customers while it works to increase capacity and manage demand for its newest AI systems.

The development highlights the infrastructure challenge facing AI companies as increasingly powerful models require substantial computing resources. OpenAI is simultaneously expanding its AI products and pushing into more demanding applications, while recent developments have also increased scrutiny of the safety and reliability of advanced AI systems.

OpenAI has not announced a specific date for reopening Pro subscriptions. The company’s support information says the pause is temporary, meaning prospective customers will need to wait until new sign-ups and upgrades are restored. The situation demonstrates how rapidly growing demand for advanced AI can create not only technological opportunities but also significant capacity challenges for the companies operating these systems.