ChatGPT not working? How to tell if it is down
We do not publish our own status: the reliable source is OpenAI’s official status page. This permanent page explains how to read it, what the most common errors mean according to OpenAI’s help and what to do meanwhile.
1. Check the official status page
On status.openai.com, OpenAI splits its services into two blocks: APIs (for developers) and ChatGPT (the app most people use). If you use ChatGPT, look only at the ChatGPT block.
Inside it there are components by feature: Conversations, Login, Voice mode, Image Generation, File uploads, Search, GPTs and more. If only one feature fails, check its component: images can have an incident while chat works.
Open incidents appear at the top with their status (for example “Monitoring”, when a fix is in place and being watched). You can subscribe to updates from the page itself.
2. Common errors and what they mean
- “Something went wrong”: a general error; OpenAI says it may be a temporary server problem or your local setup. Refresh or start a new chat and check the status page.
- “A network error occurred” or a websocket error: your device cannot keep a stable connection to the servers. Try another network and turn off VPN or secure DNS.
- Stuck on “Thinking…” or “Generating…”: OpenAI suggests waiting 30–60 seconds, stopping and regenerating, or resending the message in a new chat.
- Blank screen or endless loading: usually the browser; hard refresh, private window or clear the cache.
- You cannot log in: wait at least 60 seconds, check the Login component and, if there is no incident, clear cache and cookies or try another device.
3. If it only fails for you
- Reload the page or close and reopen the app.
- Open a private window or try another browser.
- Turn off privacy extensions or blockers, VPN or secure DNS.
- Switch networks (for example, from Wi-Fi to mobile data).
- Sign out and back in.
- If it still fails across devices and networks, contact support from help.openai.com.
4. Alternatives while it is fixed
If you need to keep working, these guides get you started in minutes with another assistant:
| Tool | Good for | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Gemini | General use, Gmail and Docs | See guide Gemini |
| Claude | Long texts and documents | See guide Claude |
| Microsoft Copilot | Word, Excel and Windows | See guide Microsoft Copilot |
| Le Chat (Mistral) | European assistant | See guide Le Chat (Mistral) |
| Perplexity | Searches with sources | See guide Perplexity |
FAQ
How do I know if ChatGPT is down for everyone?
Check status.openai.com: if the affected component (for example Conversations or Login) shows an incident, the problem is not on your side.
Why does it fail for me if the status page says all is well?
It may be your network, browser or an extension. OpenAI recommends a private window, turning off VPN and extensions and trying another network.
Do I lose my chats if ChatGPT goes down?
The status page reports incidents, not data loss. If a message was not sent, resend it in a new chat when the service is back.
Official sources
- OpenAI Status (checked 16 Oct 2026)
- OpenAI Help: Troubleshooting ChatGPT Error Messages (checked 16 Oct 2026)
- OpenAI Help: Why can’t I log in to ChatGPT? (checked 16 Oct 2026)