Last Updated on
Is ChatGPT down? When you can’t connect to the ChatGPT server, it can be frustrating trying to figure out whether the AI chatbot is down, offline, or if its just an issue with your sytem. In this article, we’ll help you diagnose the problem and find a solution to get ChatGPT working again.
It may be that the server isn’t even offline, that your browser or its extensions are at fault. It could your internet router! Let’s take a look, and diagnose whether it’s a major outage, or a minor hiccup.
Status update: 25.03.24
We are seeing multiple reports that ChatGPT is experiencing difficulties – with some people not being able to log on. It appears to be a widespread issue.
Why is ChatGPT down?
A quick visit to the OpenAI’s status page as well as Down Detector will reveal a lot. As of 25 March, 2024, OpenAI is reporting an increased error rate, which suggests – at the time of writing, people are finding it hard to get into ChatGPT. As per usual, OpenAI will be working on a fix, so the simplest solution is to wait for their engineers to resolve it. It’s possibly intermittent, so you may have some success getting images out of the system with ocassional failures.
For any other error message, try our solutions below.
The most likely cause of the service being unavailable is that one of the servers on which it relies is inaccessible. The popularity of ChatGPT does mean that the service can be overloaded, especially at peak hours. Other potential issues include internet connection problems, corrupt browser cache or cookies, and conflicting extensions.
Sometimes, there’s a need for OpenAI’s servers to enter downtime. This typically happens when there’s a need for a fix or upgrade. While it’s highly unusual for the service to go completely offline, it may be necessary if it’s needed to resolve an issue or protect the service in the long term.
ChatGPT being down shouldn’t be confused with the common ChatGPT at capacity. Although it may offer the ‘at capacity’ warning before becoming inaccessible. In this case, it could be that there’s so much traffic across the service that an issue has occured forcing ChatGPT temporarily offline. Similarly, if you are seeing the ChatGPT failed to get service status error, that may be significant too.
Is ChatGPT down? — How to diagnose outages
If ChatGPT is down, there are a few things API customers and general users can do – but access may depend on geography and the cause of the outage. If it’s a global outage it could be that everyone is facing similar problems. However, if you’re based in, say, the United States, it may be that your region is experiencing the outage. Patience is key, but here are the things to do, in order of importance and usefulness.
1. Check OpenAI’s official status page
As previously mentioned, first check the official OpenAI status page. Look for updates on infrastructure issues, increased error rates, and the status of the playground and API.
2. Use third-party status checkers
If the site isn’t loading at all, use a third-party website or online status checker like Downdetector, to help you determine if there’s a partial or major outage. Checking social media, like X is also useful. X user’s tend to be quick to spot and report outages, and the comments will show you if others are reporting issues.
Clear OpenAI and ChatGPT data
Clearing your browser data can help by removing cookies and potentially corrupted data for OpenAI and the ChatGPT service. Here’s how to do it in Chrome, without removing all of your other data and cookies.
Step
Open the Chrome menu
Click the three-dots on at the top-right of your Chrome browser window.
Step
Go to settings
Navigate to ‘Settings’. Then select Privacy & Security, on the left hand menu.
This will allow you to view options for collected cookies and site data.
Step
Click on Cookies & other site data
Select the ‘Cookies & other site data’ option and proceed to the next menu.
Step
‘See all site data’
From the menu select ‘see all site data and permissions’.
Step
Search for ‘OpenAI’
In the search bar at the top, (near the middle of the webpage), search for OpenAI.
This will retrieve all the OpenAI and ChatGPT cookies and data stored in Chrome.
Step
Clear the data
Click the ‘clear displayed data’ button to clear all OpenAI-related cookies and data from your browser.
Why are ChatGPT’s servers down?
Without an official response or explanation from OpenAI, it’s impossible to do anything but speculate about server issues. Servers can go down to a surge in demand, server instability, or a technical issue affecting performance. OpenAI, or any company, may not explain why its servers are down, so knowing why ChatGPT will never be easy.
Common ChatGPT Issues and Soultions
1. Sign-In errors
Error message:
We ran into an issue while signing you in, please take a break and try again soon.
ChatGPT error message
Solution:
The solution is in the error message! The site is live, and functional — it’s more likely to be a local internet connectivity issue in your area causing a timeout during the login process. Simply wait for a few minutes, perhaps reset your router, and try again.
2. Secure connection errors
Error message:
This site can’t provide a secure connection. chat.openai.com uses an unsupported protocol. err_ssl_version_or_cipher_mismatch
ChatGPT error message
Solution:
This error is related to OpenAI’s security certificate. You cannot fix this, and the lack of connection is not your fault. Try again in a few minutes!
3. ChatGPT at capacity
Error message:
ChatGPT is at capacity right now
Get notified when we’re back
ChatGPT error message
Solution:
Wait 15-30 minutes and try again. You might also try refreshing the page, logging out/in to your accout, clearing the browser cache, or using a VPN or your browsers Incognito mode.
FAQ
Why is ChatGPT not working?
As ChatGPT is still being developed, there is a relatively low limit to the server capacity. This means that the web page home to the chatbot is unable to handle an unusually large number of people trying to access the service. Hence, the website effectively shuts down, preventing any more users from accessing the ChatGPT service..
How often is ChatGPT down?
ChatGPT is not usually down for more than a few minutes, and OpenAI states that ChatGPT is up 99.1% of the time. However, if the servers are busy, you may have to wait around 15 to 30 minutes until you can access it again. If you haven’t already done so, check the status of the ChatGPT servers on the OpenAI website.
ChatGPT is experiencing very high traffic now, and it’s overloading the services. This means limits are being placed on the amount of users at one time. So if you’re trying to access the ChatGPT server, there’s a good chance you won’t get in. Hopefully, the hardworking software developers at OpenAI will fix this soon.
Is ChatGPT offline, or is it my internet connection?
If it appears the site is up, but it is down for you alone, it may be a bad internet connection. In this case, be sure to try disconnecting and reconnecting from your Internet or restarting your router. Should that not fix your issue, ensure that your ISP isn’t having difficulties. Even ISPs have downtime — typically less than 0.1%, but not 0! It’s uncommon, but possible, that an entire internet service provider is at fault.
What’s blocking ChatGPT? — Disable browser extensions
If you’re still finding that ChatGPT is down seemingly only for you, it may be worth disabling your browser extensions. You can do this by clicking on the three dots on the far right side of your screen, clicking settings, and then ‘More Tools’. There you can access extensions and disable them.
ChatGPT Plus — Will a premium subscription help?
If the service returns but remains at capacity, you may consider signing up for ChatGPT Plus. The subscription costs $20 per month and allows access even when it is under heavy load. If ChatGPT is offline completely, you still won’t be able to access it. However, one of the key selling points of this subscription is that you get a smooth and immediate connection, whenever possible.
What to do if ChatGPT is at capacity right now — Wait!
Finally, when ChatGPT is down, you may just need to wait for the service to return. Given its popularity, ChatGPT may be down for everyone everywhere. Hopefully, the service will return shortly.
That being said, if you’re running into the problem time and time again, it may be time to check out some ChatGPT alternatives, such as Bing Chat, or Google Bard. These platforms offer similar features and may provide a more stable experience during ChatGPT outages.
Conclusion
While ChatGPT outages can be frustrating, understanding how to diagnose issues and apply the appropriate solutions can help you get back to using the AI chatbot more quickly. By following the tips outlined in this article and keeping an eye on official and third-party status updates, you’ll be better equipped to navigate ChatGPT downtime in the future.
