# Cannot continue the existing billing period

You can't choose to continue the existing billing period, as the billing period ended already.

---

## Example

```json
{
  "error": {
    "type": "request_error",
    "code": "subscription_continuing_existing_billing_period_not_allowed",
    "detail": "Subscription existing billing period has ended, so it cannot be continued.",
    "documentation_url": "https://developer.paddle.com/errors/subscriptions/subscription_continuing_existing_billing_period_not_allowed"
  },
  "meta": {
    "request_id": "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000"
  }
}
```

## Details

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Status code | 400 |
| Error code | `subscription_continuing_existing_billing_period_not_allowed` |
| Error message | Subscription existing billing period has ended, so it cannot be continued. |

## Common causes

- You're trying to pause a subscription using the `continue_existing_billing_period` option, but passing a resume date that's after the existing billing period end date.
- You're trying to resume a subscription immediately using the `continue_existing_billing_period` option, but the existing billing period has ended.
- You're trying to resume a subscription on a chosen date using the `continue_existing_billing_period` option, but the chosen date is after the existing billing period end.

## Common solutions

- To use `continue_existing_billing_period`, check the `current_billing_period` against the subscription to determine when the billing period starts and ends.
- Pause or resume a subscription using the `start_new_billing_period` option instead. On resume, Paddle starts a new billing period and charges immediately.