ChatGPT usually stops working for one of five reasons: an OpenAI outage, a weak or blocked internet connection, a browser problem such as stale cookies or an extension, a usage limit on your plan, or an outdated app. Start by checking the official OpenAI status page. If everything is green there, the problem is on your side, and the fixes below will solve it in most cases.
Step 1: Check Whether ChatGPT Is Down for Everyone
Open status.openai.com. It shows live incidents for ChatGPT, the API and individual features such as voice, file uploads and image generation. If an incident is listed, there is nothing to fix on your end. Wait and refresh in 15 to 30 minutes.
The same approach works for other AI tools. See our guide on how to tell if Copilot is down.
Match the Error Message to the Fix
| What you see | Most likely cause | First fix |
|---|---|---|
| “Something went wrong” | Server hiccup or browser data | Refresh, then start a new chat |
| “Network error” | Long response timed out or unstable connection | Ask for a shorter reply, check Wi-Fi |
| “You’ve reached your limit” | Plan usage cap | Wait for reset or switch model |
| “Too many requests” | Sending messages too fast | Wait a minute and retry |
| Endless loading or blank page | Cache, cookies or extension | Clear site data, disable extensions |
| “Unusual activity detected” | VPN, proxy or shared IP | Turn off VPN and sign in again |
| Access denied in your country | Unsupported region | Check OpenAI’s supported countries |
12 Fixes When ChatGPT Is Not Working
1. Refresh the page and start a new chat
Very long conversations can fail to load or respond. Opening a new chat often fixes it straight away. Long chats also hit the model’s context limit, which our context window guide explains.
2. Check your internet connection
Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, or restart your router. A speed test helps rule out a slow line. Our guide on how to check Wi-Fi speed takes a minute.
3. Turn off your VPN or proxy
Some VPN IP addresses are flagged and trigger errors or extra verification. Disconnect, reload and sign in again. See how to turn off a VPN on any device.
4. Clear cookies and cache for chatgpt.com
In Chrome, click the icon left of the address bar, choose Site settings, then Delete data. Sign in again afterwards.
5. Disable browser extensions
Ad blockers, script blockers, grammar tools and other AI extensions can break the page. Test in an incognito or private window. If ChatGPT works there, turn extensions back on one by one to find the culprit.
6. Try another browser or the app
If chatgpt.com fails in one browser, try Edge, Firefox, Safari or the official desktop and mobile apps.
7. Update the ChatGPT app
Old versions can stop working after server-side changes. Update from the App Store or Google Play, then restart the app.
8. Log out and back in
Expired sessions cause strange errors. Sign out on all devices from Settings, then sign back in.
9. Wait for your usage limit to reset
Free and paid plans have message limits for certain models, tools and file uploads. ChatGPT tells you when the limit resets. In the meantime you can switch to a lighter model.
10. Ask for shorter answers
“Network error” often appears when a very long answer is still being generated. Ask it to answer in parts, or say “continue” after a cut-off reply.
11. Check file size and type for uploads
Uploads fail when a file is too large or in an unsupported format. Videos are a common example. See can you upload videos to ChatGPT.
12. Contact OpenAI support
If nothing works, use the help widget at help.openai.com. Include the error text, your browser or app version, and when it started.
ChatGPT Not Working on iPhone or Android
- Force-close and reopen the app.
- Check that the app has permission to use mobile data.
- Turn off Low Data Mode on iPhone or Data Saver on Android.
- Restart the phone, then reinstall the app if needed. Your chats are stored in your account, not on the phone.
ChatGPT Voice or Image Generation Not Working
Individual features can fail while chat still works. Check the status page for that feature, allow microphone access in your phone or browser settings for voice, and remember that image generation has its own daily limits.
When Your Chat History Disappears
Missing chats are usually a temporary sync problem during an outage. If you deleted or archived them yourself, see how to clear and manage ChatGPT history to find the Archived Chats section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does ChatGPT keep saying “something went wrong”?
It is usually a short server error or corrupted browser data. Refresh, start a new chat, and clear site data if it keeps happening.
Is ChatGPT down right now?
Check status.openai.com for official live status. Social media reports are faster but less reliable.
Why is ChatGPT so slow today?
Heavy demand, long conversations and reasoning models that think before answering all slow it down. A new chat or a faster model usually helps.