Fix Twitter / X 'Rate Limit Exceeded' Error (2025)

Updated: 11/29/2025

You are scrolling through your timeline, and suddenly the feed stops loading. You refresh, and you are hit with the message: 'Rate Limit Exceeded' or 'Cannot retrieve tweets at this time'. Since the rebranding to X, strict view limits have been implemented to stop data scraping. However, this error often triggers falsely for legitimate users due to corrupted browser cookies or aggressive background refreshing.

Table of Contents

Understanding the View Limit

X (formerly Twitter) limits how many posts unverified accounts can read per day (usually 600-1000). Once you hit that invisible wall, the API cuts you off. However, if you barely used the app today and still see this, it is a Cache Glitch.

Note: If you are refreshing the page rapidly, the system flags you as a 'Bot' and applies a temporary 1-hour cooldown.

Method 1: The PWA Installation Bypass

The Progressive Web App (PWA) version of X often has a separate rate limit counter than the standard browser tab.

Step 1: Open Chrome/Edge

Navigate to twitter.com or x.com.

Step 2: Install as App

Click the Three Dots in the browser corner > Apps > Install this site as an app. Launch the new desktop app. It frequently bypasses the browser-based cookies causing the limit error.

Method 2: Clear Site Cookies (Specific)

Old session tokens can confuse the rate limit counter. You need to force a logout.

Step 1: Browser Settings

Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > View permissions and data across sites.

Step 2: Search for X

Type twitter and x.com. Click the Trash Can icon next to both. Restart the browser and log in again.

Method 3: Use the 'Old Layout' Extensions

There are browser extensions like 'Old Twitter Layout' or 'Control Panel for Twitter' that change how tweets are loaded. By modifying the API calls to load fewer 'suggested' posts, you save your rate limit for the content you actually want to see.