Drag-and-drop deploys blocked by "unrecognized Git contributor" with no repo linked

Every drop deploy fails with “unrecognized Git contributor.”

Git was temporarily linked then unlinked on netlify and github side.

  • Repo: Not linked
  • Git Contributors: all Not connected
  • No auto-approve toggle on my plan
  • Failed deploy only offers Link Git account / Upgrade to Pro / Delete

Upgrading to Pro fixed it instantly. Why is a Git contributor check running on manual drops when nothing is linked? And is there any free-plan way to clear it, or is upgrading the only option?

This only became an issue this morning. Was deploying with 0 issues.