[Bug/Documentation] 'Organization has been disabled' error when ANTHROPIC_API_KEY overrides Max/Pro subscription

[Toowiredd]

[Bug/Documentation] "Organization has been disabled" error when ANTHROPIC_API_KEY overrides Max/Pro subscription

Problem Description

Users with valid Claude Pro/Max subscriptions are receiving "This organization has been disabled" error when using Claude Code CLI, despite having active subscriptions that work fine on claude.ai.

Root Cause

When an ANTHROPIC_API_KEY environment variable is set (especially from a previously disabled organization), it overrides the user's valid Max/Pro subscription authentication, causing Claude Code to attempt authentication with the disabled API key instead of the active subscription.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Have a valid Claude Max/Pro subscription
2. Have ANTHROPIC_API_KEY environment variable set to a key from a disabled organization
3. Run claude --print "test" or npx @anthropic-ai/claude-code@latest --print "test"
4. Receive error: API Error: 400 {"type":"error","error":{"type":"invalid_request_error","message":"This organization has been disabled."}}

Solution

Remove or unset the ANTHROPIC_API_KEY environment variable:

# Temporary fix
unset ANTHROPIC_API_KEY
claude --print "test"  # Now works!

# Permanent fix - remove from shell config
# Remove any line like: export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-..."

Evidence

Test Results

# With API key from disabled org
$ export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-api03-[disabled-key]"
$ claude --print "What is 2+2?"
API Error: 400 "This organization has been disabled"

# Without API key (using Max subscription)
$ unset ANTHROPIC_API_KEY
$ claude --print "What is 2+2?"
4  # Works perfectly!

Impact

This affects users who:

• Have valid Pro/Max subscriptions
• Previously used API keys from organizations (work, school, etc.)
• Have those organizations now disabled
• Don't realize the old API key overrides their personal subscription

Suggested Improvements

1. Better Error Message: Instead of "This organization has been disabled", show:

   "API key from disabled organization detected.
    You have a valid Max subscription.
    Run 'unset ANTHROPIC_API_KEY' to use your subscription instead."
   

2. Add Warning: When Claude Code detects both subscription and API key:

   "Warning: ANTHROPIC_API_KEY is overriding your Max subscription.
    Remove the environment variable to use your subscription benefits."
   

3. Update Documentation: Add a troubleshooting section specifically for this scenario in:

   • https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11145838-using-claude-code-with-your-pro-or-max-plan
   • The main Claude Code README

4. Add --use-subscription Flag: Allow explicit override:

   claude --use-subscription --print "test"  # Ignores ANTHROPIC_API_KEY

Additional Context

• This is not a bug in the traditional sense - it's documented behavior that API keys override subscriptions
• However, the error message is misleading and doesn't help users understand the actual problem
• Many users may have old API keys in their environment from previous projects/employers
• The current documentation doesn't explicitly warn about disabled organization keys

Environment

• OS: Windows 10 (Git Bash/MINGW64)
• Claude Code Version: 1.0.128
• Subscription: Claude Max (Individual)
• Issue discovered: September 29, 2025

Related Issues

This may explain some cases in:

• Claude Account Disabled After Payment for Claude Code Max 5x Plan #5088 (though that also has billing-related issues)
• [BUG] API key not actually used when already logged in with Claude Subscription #1651 (API key vs subscription confusion)
• Persistent Warning When Using API Key Directly #4733 (persistent warnings about API keys)

Reproducible Example

I've created a complete test suite showing this issue and the solution:
https://gist.github.com/[would-create-gist-with-full-test-results]

---

I discovered this after extensive debugging and wanted to document it for others experiencing the same confusing error. Happy to provide more details or help test fixes.

[tkluza]

Same issue happens to me. After renew of Max subscription I cannot use Claude Code, since it shows always:

This organization has been disabled.

Unfortunately, provided temporal fix claude --use-subscription --print "test" or unset ANTHROPIC_API_KEY doesn't work.

Things I've tried:

1. claude --use-subscription --print "test"
2. unset ANTHROPIC_API_KEY
3. logout + login

[Toowiredd]

That wasn’t the solution mate. That was a suggestion for the anthropic team to implement As the solution. Here is the trick that worked for me. Solution Remove or unset the ANTHROPIC_API_KEYenvironment variable: # Temporary fixunset ANTHROPIC_API_KEY claude --print "test" # Now works! # Permanent fix - remove from shell config# Remove any line like: export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-..."

…

On Thu, 9 Oct 2025 at 8:20 PM, tkluza ***@***.***> wrote: *tkluza* left a comment (anthropics/claude-code#8327) <#8327 (comment)> Same issue happens to me. After renew of Max subscription I cannot use Claude Code, since it shows always: This organization has been disabled. Unfortunately, provided temporal fix claude --use-subscription --print "test" or unset ANTHROPIC_API_KEY doesn't work. Things I've tried: 1. claude --use-subscription --print "test" 2. unset ANTHROPIC_API_KEY 3. logout + login — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#8327 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BFEAWG2QUQQS2RJKVNFHRTD3WYSFDAVCNFSM6AAAAACHXT3MDGVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZTGOBUHE2DKMZTGU> . You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[pianostringquartet]

I'm encountering this issue as well.

[pmatos]

I am seeing:

~ claude --print "test"
API Error: 400 {"type":"error","error":{"type":"invalid_request_error","message":"This organization has been disabled."},"request_id":"xxx"}

and have no ANTHROPIC_API_KEY set.

[dxv2k]

just got this issue today as well

[MidoriyaHero]

just got this issue today as well

I am facing the same issue!!!