How to Fix the "Rate Limit Exceeded" Error on Twitter

So you‘ve been hit with the "Rate Limit Exceeded" message on Twitter and can‘t view any more tweets. Not to worry – in this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through what this error means and the best methods to get around Twitter‘s pesky rate limits.

Whether you‘re a power Twitter user, gamer, streamer or tech geek, you‘ll be tweeting again in no time.

What Triggers the Rate Limit Exceeded Error on Twitter?

To understand how to fix this error, we first need to know what causes it.

Twitter actually introduced new rate limits in November 2022 to combat various forms of platform manipulation and abuse. This came shortly after billionaire Elon Musk took over Twitter in his $44 billion acquisition.

According to Musk‘s tweets, extremely high levels of scraper bots and fake accounts were overloading Twitter‘s servers and API. By implementing rate limits on viewing tweets, Twitter aims to ease this strain.

Here‘s a quick explanation of how the Twitter rate limits work:

Your account is allocated a certain number of views per day based on your account type.
Once you exceed your allocated views, you‘ll get the Rate Limit Exceeded error.
The rate limit resets every 24 hours.

The viewing limits originally were:

Verified accounts: 6,000 views per day
Unverified accounts: 600 views per day
New unverified accounts: 300 views per day

However, after user backlash over the strict limits, Elon increased them to:

Verified accounts: 10,000 views per day
Unverified accounts: 5,000 views per day
New unverified accounts: 500 views per day

For context, here are some usage stats on how much people tweet and view content on Twitter:

500 million tweets are sent per day, on average
There are 237 million monetizable daily active users on Twitter
The average Twitter user views 300+ tweets per day

As you can see, power users can easily exceed the new rate limits Twitter has imposed if they tweet and view content frequently.

The good news is these rate limits are meant to be temporary, according to Elon. But until Twitter finds a better solution to its platform manipulation issues, the limits are likely here to stay.

Fixing the Rate Limit Exceeded Error

Now that you know what causes the rate limit error, here are the top methods to get around it and continue tweeting to your heart‘s content:

1. Upgrade to Twitter Blue

The easiest fix is to subscribe to Twitter‘s premium service, Twitter Blue.

Here are the step-by-step instructions to upgrade:

Open the Twitter app on your iPhone or Android device.
Tap your profile icon in the top left corner.
Select the option for Twitter Blue. This will open the subscription page.
Choose either the monthly ($8/month) or annual ($84/year) pricing plan.
Enter your payment information and complete the purchase.

Once your Twitter Blue subscription is active, your rate limits will be substantially increased.

Twitter Blue offers a few other perks beyond increased rate limits, such as:

Edit Tweet feature
1080p video uploads
Reader mode
Custom app icons
Top Articles curated by Twitter

The increased rate limits alone make it an appealing choice for power users frustrated by hitting their cap early in the day.

On the flip side, the main downside of this method is obviously the cost of the subscription. Not everyone will want to pay monthly or yearly for higher Twitter access.

2. Use Twitter‘s Web Version

Fortunately, there‘s a handy workaround that won‘t cost you a dime – use Twitter‘s website instead of the mobile app.

Here are the steps to access the web version of Twitter:

On iPhone:

Open the Safari browser app and enable private browsing mode.
Go to twitter.com and log into your account.
View tweets and interact with your timeline as normal.

On Android:

Open the Chrome app and enable incognito browsing mode.
Go to twitter.com and log into your account.
View tweets and interact with your timeline as normal.

On a Computer:

Open Google Chrome and enable incognito browsing mode.
Go to twitter.com and log into your account.
View tweets and interact with your timeline as normal.

It seems the new rate limits only apply to Twitter‘s mobile app – at least for now. Accessing Twitter from a mobile or desktop web browser in private/incognito mode lets you avoid the rate cap entirely.

The main advantages of using the web version of Twitter are:

It‘s completely free
There are no rate limits on viewing tweets
You can tweet and view your timeline as normal

The downsides are minor but worth mentioning:

Slightly less convenient than the mobile app
Some newer Twitter features may not be available
You have to enable private browsing each time

Overall though, it‘s a simple and effective workaround that costs nothing.

3. Connect Through a VPN

Another free option is to access Twitter through a virtual private network (VPN). Here‘s how:

Force quit the Twitter app on your device if it‘s currently open.
Download and install a free VPN app like ProtonVPN or UltraSurfVPN. There are lots of good free options.
Connect to a VPN server located in a different city or country than your current location.
Reopen the Twitter app and view tweets as normal.

Connecting through a VPN makes it appear like you‘re accessing Twitter from an entirely different location. This essentially resets the rate limit counter and buys you more views.

The advantages of using a VPN include:

Completely free option
Easy to set up and use
Lets you bypass geographic restrictions on content
Encrypts your web traffic for more privacy

The limitations are:

Need to reinstall the VPN app if you switch devices
Connection can be slower with free VPN plans
You have to manually connect to the VPN every time

As long as you don‘t mind taking a few extra steps before viewing tweets, a VPN is a solid workaround.

4. Simply Wait It Out

If you‘ve exhausted the other options, the last resort is to wait out the 24-48 hour period for your rate limit to reset.

I know, easier said than done when you have important tweets to view or post!

But if you don‘t want to pay up for Twitter Blue or mess with technical workarounds, waiting is your only choice. Here are a few tips:

Note the exact time you received the rate limit exceeded error.
The limit typically resets 24-48 hours after that first error.
Occasionally force quit and restart the app to see if your limit reset early.
Consider using another social media platform like Instagram or Snapchat in the meantime.
Set a reminder to come back and check Twitter after 48 hours max.

The main drawback is obviously having to abstain from Twitter for up to two days. But your rate limit will eventually reset on its own. Just exhibit some patience.

Comparing the Pros and Cons of Each Fix

Now that we‘ve covered the main methods to get around Twitter‘s rate limits, let‘s directly compare their advantages and disadvantages:

Method	Pros	Cons
Twitter Blue	– Increased rate limits – Extra features – Simple	– Monthly or yearly cost – Recurring payment
Web Version	– Free to use – No rate limits – Easy access	– Slightly less convenient – New features may not be available – Have to enable private browsing
VPN	– Free to use – Reset rate limit counter – More privacy	– Need to reinstall VPN app sometimes – Extra steps to connect – Potentially slower speeds
Wait It Out	– Limit resets on its own – Don‘t need a subscription	– No Twitter access for 24-48 hours – Requires patience

As you can see, the best solution depends on your priorities and budget. Personally, I recommend trying the free web version or VPN options first. But paying for Twitter Blue gives you the most convenient and unlimited access if you‘re a true power user.

Parting Thoughts

Hopefully you now have a much better understanding of Twitter‘s rate limits, why they happen, and actionable solutions to get around them.

While the limits are annoying, I don‘t expect them to disappear anytime soon given Twitter‘s ongoing platform issues. Your best bet is either subscribing to Twitter Blue or using the handy workarounds outlined in this guide.

And if all else fails, a brief one or two day break from the Twitterverse may even do you some good! Just hang in there and your access will be restored before you know it.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other creative ideas for bypassing Twitter rate limits. And be sure to subscribe for more useful tips and guides on all things gaming, streaming, and tech!