Substack Paywall Showing for Paid Subscribers

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Sign in with the paying email

   Copy steps
   1. Open Settings > Subscriptions and confirm the publication shows as active
   2. Sign out and sign in with the address used at checkout
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Use a normal browser or the app

   Copy steps
   1. Type the publication's address into Safari or Chrome instead of opening it inside an email app
   2. Or open the post inside the Substack app
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Check for a failed payment

   Copy steps
   1. Settings > Subscriptions shows past-due status
   2. Update the payment method on the web, not in the app
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Contact support with details

   1. Send the publication name, the account email and the payment receipt to Substack support
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

You pay for a publication but posts show Upgrade to paid or a paywall.

Why it happens

• Signed in with a different email than the one that pays
• In-app browser without your session cookies
• Subscription lapsed after a failed payment or cancellation
• Apple in-app subscription not linked to the account used
• Occasional platform glitch that support must reconnect

This guide also covers

• substack paywall paid subscriber
• substack says not a paid subscriber
• can't read paid substack posts

Other Substack errors

• Substack Emails Going to Spam or Promotions
• Not Receiving Substack Emails
• Substack Login Link Not Arriving or Not Working
• Substack Payment Declined When Subscribing
• Substack Stripe Payout Not Arriving
• Substack Custom Domain Not Working
• Substack App Crashing or Not Loading
• Substack Can't Publish or Editor Page Unresponsive