copilot in visual studio code wont let me use GPT 4o says "included" but blocks access

[gakusei25]

Hi everyone,

Will not let me use 4o model which is included in my subscription. keeps changing model to 4.1 no matter what i do.

[WWI2196]

Hi @gakusei25 ,

It sounds like your VS Code’s Copilot extension is still using cached settings or an outdated version. The most reliable fix in GitHub Discussions is to fully uninstall VS Code, then download and reinstall the latest version, followed by installing the Copilot extension fresh. This can resolves issues with model switching not sticking (github.com).
After reinstalling, you can restart the Copilot extension and then sign out and sign back into GitHub Copilot to refresh the permissions . Finally use the “GitHub Copilot: Change Completions Model” command (via Ctrl+Shift+P) to explicitly select GPT‑4o and confirm it is shown under Settings → Copilot: Selected Completion Model (docs.github.com). These steps will usually resolve the issue and ensure VS Code sticks to GPT‑4o rather than reverting to GPT‑4.1.

[davevad93]

Hi @gakusei25,

The Student Developer Pack includes a free subscription to GitHub Copilot PRO which is limited to a maximum of 300 premium requests per month (additional at $0.04 USD each).

For more info, check the docs:

• About individual Copilot plans and benefits

You can check whether your premium requests are exceeded by going to your copilot usage settings, where you should see this:

If you haven't exceeded your quota and are unable to use Copilot PRO, I recommend you raise a ticket here, select "I am a verified student having trouble redeeming my Global Campus offers" and explain your issue.

[drewclifton]

@davevad93 The point is that Github (including Pro) says that GPT-4o is listed as "Standard" and "Included" in the app, but it actually requires you to have premium credits to use (I did not notice if it actually drains premium credits or not, I will have to check on next billing cycle).

[davevad93]

Hey @drewclifton, that's correct as also stated in the docs:

Each model has a premium request multiplier, based on its complexity and resource usage. If you are on a paid Copilot plan, your premium request allowance is deducted according to this multiplier.

GPT-4.1 and GPT-4o are the included models, and do not consume any premium requests if you are on a paid plan.

Model	Multiplier for paid plans	Multiplier for Copilot Free
GPT-4.1	0	1
GPT-4o	0	1

So it shouldn't be necessary to have premium credits to be able to use them.

GitHub has also stated the following in this post about the new GitHub Copilot consumptive billing experience: #163114

All paid plans still include unlimited use of GPT-4.1 and GPT-4o for agent mode and chat interactions, plus unlimited code completions! Please note that rate limits may still apply across all models.

[gakusei25]

@davevad93 this isnt what i posted about. im talking about trying to use 4o, which is included in my subscription and i had used just fine without any apparent limit before, but it now says after having using claude premium that i used all premium and switches me to 4.1 when i try to use 4o, which is not a premium model.

[drewclifton]

@davevad93 Yep, it seems to be a bug, and/or a change that has not been documented.

The docs (and app) claim 4o is included with Pro plans; but it does not work that way in practice.

Specifically, when premium credits are exhausted, attempting to use 4o it shows this:

You can see in the app (as you also pointed out), that it lists 4o as "Standard" and "Included" (not in "Premium" list):

Some users have prescribed uninstalling and reinstalling VS Code, and seeing it resolved. However two commenters below claim this is not the case (they reinstalled and the issue persists).

[davevad93]

I see @gakusei25, well you're right, GPT-4o is not a premium model so you should be able to use it even if you have exceeded your premium requests.

Try contacting support by opening a ticket here, select "Other" and explain your problem.

[lucius63001]

Hi, I’m here because I also found the labeling a bit confusing. My premium requests are fully used up (which I understand), but in VSCode, GPT‑4o still shows as "included."

Wouldn't it make more sense to list GPT‑4o alongside other premium models or at least label it more clearly as “limited access”?

thanks for the service! really did help me able to read codes as a game design student (not a dev though lol)

[lucius63001]

update: i reinstalled Vs-code and the copilot extension and GPT 4o seems to be working again

[gakusei25]

update: i reinstalled Vs-code and the copilot extension and GPT 4o seems to be working again

this did not solve the issue for me. i still cannot use 4o.

[kosiew]

I reinstalled Vs-code and the copilot extension and GPT 4o still does not work.

Still getting the annoying:

You have exceeded your premium request allowance. We have automatically switched you to GPT-4.1 which is included with your plan. [Enable additional paid premium requests](vscode-file://vscode-app/Applications/Visual%20Studio%20Code.app/Contents/Resources/app/out/vs/code/electron-browser/workbench/workbench.html) to continue using premium models.

[drewclifton]

Created a ticket. Thanks for the link @davevad93 🙂

[davevad93]

You're welcome @drewclifton, I hope you'll get a response on the matter! 👍

[orlandommb]

I got the same problem

[drewclifton]

It seeems clear now they yanked it from "Included" but have yet to push an app update to VS Code to move 4o to the "Premium Models" list. The website documentation and marketing is starting to ony show 4.1 as "included" (sorry no reference right now, busy).

[DerDemystifier]

I don't think gpt-4o-2024-11-20 should even be considered a Premium model alongside the likes of Sonnet.

It's not even 4o-latest it's gpt-4o-2024-11-20, which is worse than gpt-4.1-2025-04-14:

[DiasKur4]

same issue. VS code reinstallation didn't resolve it.

[DerDemystifier]

It doesn't matter anymore I guess: Deprecation of GPT-4o in Copilot Chat