ChatGPT Not Working: What the Errors Mean and What to Try
When ChatGPT stops working, the fastest check is OpenAI’s own status page at status.openai.com. If it lists an active incident, the problem is on OpenAI’s side and waiting is the fix. If the page shows nothing, the cause is usually your browser, network or account, and a few quick changes tend to clear it.
OpenAI’s Help Center article “Troubleshooting ChatGPT error messages” describes the same split: an error may point to a temporary server issue or to a problem with your local setup. Our live ChatGPT status page shows current availability next to recent reports, and the OpenAI API status page covers the developer side.
Is ChatGPT down right now?
ChatGPT is down for everyone only when OpenAI confirms it. Check in this order:
- Open status.openai.com. The page lists components such as Conversations, Login, File uploads and Voice mode, so a problem can hit one feature while the rest works.
- Open our ChatGPT status page to see whether other readers are reporting trouble at the same time.
- Try ChatGPT on a second device or another network, such as your phone on mobile data. If it works there, the fault is local.
The general method for these checks is in how to tell if a site is down or just you.
What does “A network error occurred” mean in ChatGPT?
OpenAI’s help article says that a network error or a websocket connection error suggests your device cannot establish a reliable connection to its servers. It does not by itself mean OpenAI is down. The cause can sit with your Wi-Fi, a VPN, a proxy, a browser extension or an outage on OpenAI’s end.
The article lists these checks, which work for most “Something went wrong” and network messages:
- Refresh the page or start a new chat.
- Check status.openai.com for known incidents.
- Switch to a different network or device.
- Turn off any VPN, proxy or secure DNS service.
- Try another browser or an incognito window.
- Clear your browser cache and cookies.
- Disable browser extensions, especially privacy or security tools, then re-enable them one at a time.
Disabling extensions is a temporary test only. Turn security tools back on afterward, and do not install “fixer” apps or browser add-ons from outside the official stores.
How do I tell a local problem from an OpenAI problem?
The table below maps what you see to the likeliest cause. It is a rule of thumb, not a diagnosis.
| What you see | Likely side | First thing to do |
|---|---|---|
| Status page lists an active incident for ChatGPT | OpenAI | Wait; check the incident updates |
| Works on phone data, fails on home Wi-Fi | Your network | Restart the router, turn off VPN; see works on mobile data, not Wi-Fi |
| Works in incognito, fails in normal window | Browser cache or extension | Clear cache and cookies, test extensions |
| Works on one device only | That device or app | Update the app, restart the device |
| Only one feature fails (voice, file upload) | Often that component | Look for that component on the status page |
What if ChatGPT says I reached a limit?
A usage limit is not an outage. OpenAI sets limits by plan and feature, and ChatGPT shows when access returns after you hit one. Retrying over and over does not reset it. The difference between limits, rate limits and capacity messages is explained in why AI chatbots show capacity and rate limit errors.
What should I do while ChatGPT is down?
Save any text you were working on to a document, since a failed reply may not be recoverable. Avoid pasting passwords, one-time codes or private data into any other “ChatGPT” site you find while searching; use only chatgpt.com or the official apps. More general advice is in what to do during an outage.
Which part of ChatGPT is failing?
OpenAI’s status page splits ChatGPT into separate components, so one feature can fail while chat works. The list at the time of writing includes Conversations, Login, File uploads, Voice mode, Image Generation, Search, Deep Research and Connectors/Apps. If only uploads or voice fail, look for that row before you reset anything on your device.
The same page also lists API components, such as Chat Completions and Responses, and Codex. Those matter to developers and to apps built on OpenAI’s API. If another app that uses AI stops working but chatgpt.com loads, the OpenAI API status page is the better check.
What should I try on the phone app?
On the ChatGPT mobile app, the same logic applies. Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, close and reopen the app, and check the App Store or Google Play for an update. Sign out and back in only if you have your login method ready, and never type your password or a one-time code into a page you reached through a message or ad.
Bottom line
Check status.openai.com first. With no incident listed, switch networks, turn off VPNs, clear the cache and try a private window. With an incident listed, wait and watch the updates.
FAQ
Why does ChatGPT say “Something went wrong”?
OpenAI’s help article treats it as a general error that can come from a temporary server issue or from your setup. Refresh, start a new chat and check the status page.
Is ChatGPT down if it works on my phone but not my laptop?
No. If it works on any device or network, the service is up and the problem is local to the laptop, its browser or its network.
Should I contact OpenAI support?
If the problem continues after the steps above and the status page is clear, OpenAI’s article says to collect your browser console logs and a HAR file with timestamps and contact support through the Help Center.
Does clearing cookies delete my chats?
No. Your chat history belongs to your account, not your browser. You will have to sign in again after clearing cookies, so have your login method ready.