# Cannot continue the existing billing period for a past due subscription

You can't choose to continue the existing billing period, as the subscription is past due

---

## Example

```json
{
  "error": {
    "type": "request_error",
    "code": "subscription_continuing_existing_billing_period_not_allowed_subscription_past_due",
    "detail": "Subscription is past due because the billing period is unpaid, so the billing period cannot be continued.",
    "documentation_url": "https://developer.paddle.com/errors/subscriptions/subscription_continuing_existing_billing_period_not_allowed_subscription_past_due"
  },
  "meta": {
    "request_id": "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000"
  }
}
```

## Details

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Status code | 400 |
| Error code | `subscription_continuing_existing_billing_period_not_allowed_subscription_past_due` |
| Error message | Subscription is past due because the billing period is unpaid, so the billing period cannot be continued. |

## Common causes

- You're trying to pause a subscription using the `continue_existing_billing_period` option, but the subscription is past due.
- You're trying to resume a subscription using the `continue_existing_billing_period` option, but the subscription was past due before it  was paused.

## Common solutions

- Pause or resume a subscription using the `start_new_billing_period` option instead. On resume, Paddle starts a new billing period and charges immediately.