> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.wpcompress.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# What Happens if I Run Out of Credits?

# Understanding and Managing Your Credits

This guide explains why you might run out of credits and shows you exactly how to fix it.

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## My Site is Out of Credits

If a single website uses up its assigned monthly credits, here is what happens and how to fix it:

* **What Happens:** The site switches to **Essential Performance Mode**, pausing new optimizations. Your other sites will work normally.
* **How to Fix It:** Go to your User Portal and click **"Allocate Credits"** to give it more from your main account or from your **One-Time / Overflow Credits**.

|| This allows you to set specific credit limits for each client. If they need more, they can upgrade, giving you full control over usage.

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## My Whole Account is Out of Credits

If your entire account runs out of credits, all your websites are affected.

* **What Happens:** All linked sites switch to **Essential Performance Mode**, and all new optimizations are paused account-wide.
* **How to Fix It:** You will need to add more credits to your account.
1.  [**Upgrade Your Plan**](https://wpcompress.com/pricing/) for a larger monthly credit allowance.
2.  [**Buy a One-Time Credit Pack**](https://wpcompress.com/credit-packs/) for a quick top-up that never expires.

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## Live Mode vs. Local Mode (When Credits Run Out)

How your site behaves in Essential Performance Mode depends on its setup:

* **In Live Mode:** Optimized files revert to their larger, original versions, which may slow down your site.
* **In Local Mode:** Already optimized images stay as they are, but no *new* images can be optimized.

Once you add more credits or your plan renews, normal optimization resumes automatically.

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## How Credits Work

* **Monthly Credits:** Come with your plan and refill every month.
* **One-Time / Overflow Credits:** Purchased in packs, these credits are a backup and **never expire**.

||| A website always uses its assigned monthly credits first before using any One-Time / Overflow credits.

* **Real-Time Optimization + CDN:** Credits are used when optimizing files (images, scripts) for visitors in real-time.
* **Media Library Compression:** Credits are used to compress images directly in your WordPress Media Library.

| If you have any questions, please reach out via the live chat on our website!