Why My Cursor App Broke on macOS Catalina (10.15) and How I Got It Running Again
June 19, 2025Why My Cursor IDE Was Stuck on ‘Downloading VS Code Server’ and How I Fixed It in 5 Minutes
June 19, 2025
As an AI developer, I lean on Cursor IDE for coding help. So I was really excited to try DeepSeek-chat for smarter ‘ask’ features. But then I hit a stubborn error that kept blocking me. I rolled up my sleeves to fix it—here’s what worked.
The Frustrating Roadblock
I set up my DeepSeek-chat API with a verified key, all set to test it in Cursor. But every time I tried the ‘ask’ feature, I got this error:
“The model deepseek-chat does not work with your current plan or api key.”
This was confusing. My key was correct, and I didn’t have a Pro subscription. I thought Pro wasn’t needed for basic use!
What I Tried First
- Double-checked my API key for typos or expiration. It was fine.
- Went through Cursor settings to make sure the model was selected correctly. No interference from other models.
- Updated Cursor to version 0.50.6 (or later). Still no luck.
The Breakthrough Workaround
After some trial and error, I found a temporary fix:
Uninstall Cursor completely. Then, delete all related files in the AppData folder (like user settings and caches). Finally, reinstall from scratch.
It worked right away! DeepSeek-chat was back. But the fix wasn’t permanent. The error popped up again a few days later. That suggests there’s a deeper issue with how Cursor manages subscriptions.
Key Insights for a Smooth Experience
- Not on Pro? Reinstall Cursor and clear AppData for a quick fix. You might have to do it again if the error comes back.
- For a lasting solution, consider upgrading to Pro. Recent Cursor updates may require Pro for external APIs.
- Keep Cursor updated. The team is working on a fix, so watch for patches.
This whole experience taught me a lesson: always stay on top of updates and subscription details.
If you’re stuck in the same spot, try the reinstall trick. It might just get you back to coding in no time!
