Why Is ChatGPT Not Working? Common Problems and Fixes

ChatGPT can occasionally stop loading, fail to generate a response, become unusually slow, show a blank screen, or display errors such as “Something went wrong” or “A network error occurred.”

The problem is not always with ChatGPT itself. According to OpenAI’s troubleshooting guidance, ChatGPT errors can be caused by temporary service problems, network configuration, browser extensions, cached browser data, VPNs, proxies, or security tools.

The best solution depends on what you are experiencing. Here are the most useful troubleshooting steps to try. If you are still learning your way around the tool, our beginner’s guide to using ChatGPT covers the basics before you dig into troubleshooting.

1. Check Whether ChatGPT Is Down

Before changing your browser or device settings, check whether OpenAI is experiencing a service disruption.

Visit the official OpenAI Status page. If ChatGPT is experiencing a known outage or elevated error rate, the problem may be on OpenAI’s side rather than your device. In that situation, local troubleshooting may not solve the problem immediately.

If the status page shows that ChatGPT is operating normally, continue with the steps below.

2. Refresh ChatGPT

Sometimes the problem is temporary. If ChatGPT displays an error or stops responding:

• Refresh the page.
• If necessary, perform a hard refresh.
• Restart the ChatGPT app if you are using an app.
• Try starting a new conversation.

A fresh chat can also help when a particular long conversation becomes slow or unresponsive.

3. Try ChatGPT in Incognito or Private Mode

Open ChatGPT in an incognito or private browsing window. This is a useful troubleshooting test because browser extensions, cookies, or stored site data can sometimes interfere with ChatGPT.

If ChatGPT works normally in private mode but not in your regular browser window, the problem is more likely related to your browser configuration than a general ChatGPT outage.

4. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Old or corrupted browser data can cause unexpected website behavior. If ChatGPT previously worked normally but suddenly starts freezing, loading incorrectly, or showing errors, clearing browser cache and cookies may help.

After clearing the relevant browser data:

1. Close and reopen your browser.
2. Sign in to ChatGPT again.
3. Start a new conversation.
4. Check whether the problem is resolved.

Remember that clearing cookies may sign you out of websites.

5. Disable Browser Extensions

Some browser extensions can interfere with ChatGPT. This is especially possible with extensions that:

• block scripts
• block ads or trackers
• modify webpage content
• provide privacy filtering
• change network requests
• add security filtering

Temporarily disable extensions and reload ChatGPT. If ChatGPT starts working, re-enable your extensions individually to identify which one is causing the conflict.

6. Turn Off Your VPN or Proxy

VPNs and proxies can sometimes interfere with ChatGPT connections. If you are using one:

1. Disconnect the VPN or proxy.
2. Refresh ChatGPT.
3. Try your request again.

OpenAI also recommends checking secure DNS or security-filtering tools when troubleshooting certain connection errors. If disabling the VPN fixes the problem, your previous network route or configuration may have been responsible.

7. Switch to a Different Network

A network problem can sometimes make ChatGPT appear to be down even when the service itself is operating normally. For example, try switching:

• from Wi-Fi to mobile data
• from mobile data to Wi-Fi
• from a company network to a personal network
• to a mobile hotspot

If ChatGPT works on one network but not another, that is a strong indication that the original network may be causing the problem. On managed company or school networks, firewall or web-filtering rules may interfere with ChatGPT.

8. Try Another Browser

If ChatGPT does not work in your current browser, try another modern browser. This helps determine whether the problem is specific to your existing browser configuration.

If ChatGPT works in another browser, investigate extensions, cookies, cached data, privacy settings, security settings, and browser updates in the browser where the problem occurs.

9. Try Another Device

Try opening ChatGPT on another device. For example, if it is not working on your computer, test it on your phone.

If ChatGPT works on another device using the same account, the problem may be related to the original device or browser rather than your ChatGPT account.

10. What to Do If ChatGPT Says “Something Went Wrong”

“Something went wrong” is a general ChatGPT error. OpenAI recommends troubleshooting it by trying steps such as:

• refreshing the page
• starting a new chat
• checking the OpenAI Status page
• clearing browser cache and cookies
• using an incognito/private window
• disabling browser extensions
• disabling VPNs or secure DNS tools
• trying another network

If the error appears during a widespread OpenAI incident, you may need to wait until the service issue is resolved.

11. What to Do If ChatGPT Shows a Network Error

Messages such as “A network error occurred” or an error related to connecting to a WebSocket can indicate that ChatGPT is unable to maintain a reliable connection to OpenAI’s servers.

Try disabling your VPN or proxy, disabling security filters temporarily, using another browser, opening an incognito window, switching networks, or trying another device.

On managed networks, firewall or proxy configuration may need to be checked by the network administrator.

12. Why Is ChatGPT Stuck on Thinking or Generating?

Sometimes ChatGPT begins generating a response but appears to remain stuck. If this happens:

1. Wait briefly to see whether the response completes.
2. Stop the generation if it remains stuck.
3. Try regenerating the response.
4. Start a new chat.
5. Refresh ChatGPT.
6. Sign out and sign back in if necessary.
7. Try private browsing.
8. Disable VPNs, proxies, or problematic extensions.
9. Check OpenAI’s Status page.

Long conversations can sometimes also become slower, so testing the same request in a fresh conversation can help identify the problem.

13. Why Is ChatGPT Showing a Blank Screen?

A blank, frozen, or endlessly loading ChatGPT page can sometimes be caused by browser or network problems. Try:

• performing a hard refresh
• signing out and back in
• clearing ChatGPT site data or cookies
• disabling browser extensions or content blockers
• using an incognito/private window
• trying another browser
• turning off a VPN
• switching networks or devices

If the problem persists everywhere, check the official OpenAI Status page.

14. Why Is ChatGPT So Slow?

ChatGPT can sometimes respond more slowly than expected. Possible factors include an OpenAI service incident, network performance, browser problems, browser extensions, VPN or proxy configuration, a long or complex conversation, or local device resource limitations.

Try starting a fresh conversation, refreshing ChatGPT, disabling unnecessary extensions and testing another browser or network. Checking OpenAI’s Status page can also help determine whether there is a broader service issue.

15. Why Can’t I Log In to ChatGPT?

Login problems require slightly different troubleshooting. One important issue is using the wrong authentication method.

For example, if you originally created your account using Continue with Google, Continue with Microsoft, Continue with Apple, email/password, or an organization’s SSO, you may need to use the corresponding original sign-in method.

Other useful steps include clearing cache and cookies, trying an incognito window, disabling VPNs or proxies, disabling problematic browser extensions, trying another browser or device, or switching networks.

If your account has been deactivated or suspended, ordinary browser troubleshooting will not restore access. Follow the instructions provided by OpenAI for the account issue.

16. Why Does ChatGPT Keep Showing CAPTCHAs?

An occasional CAPTCHA can be normal because OpenAI uses them to help prevent automated abuse and spam. Repeated CAPTCHAs may be associated with factors such as VPN use or unusual browser configurations.

If you repeatedly encounter them: turn off your VPN, check browser extensions, try an incognito window, or test another browser or network.

If CAPTCHAs continue appearing unusually often, OpenAI recommends contacting Support and providing relevant information about the issue.

17. ChatGPT Works on Mobile but Not Wi-Fi — What Does That Mean?

This is an important troubleshooting clue. If ChatGPT works when you use mobile data or a hotspot but stops working on a particular Wi-Fi network, the problem may be associated with that network.

Company networks in particular may use firewalls, proxies, web filters, SSL/TLS inspection, or security gateways that can interfere with ChatGPT traffic. For a managed network, the IT administrator may need to review OpenAI’s network recommendations.

18. ChatGPT Still Isn’t Working — What Should You Do?

If none of the basic troubleshooting steps work, test ChatGPT systematically. Try it in another browser, in private/incognito mode, with extensions disabled, without a VPN, on another network, or on another device. Also check OpenAI’s Status page.

If the same problem continues across different browsers, devices, and networks while no general outage is reported, contact OpenAI Support.

For persistent technical problems, OpenAI may ask for diagnostic information such as browser console errors, timestamps, conversation details, or a HAR file. Do not publicly post sensitive account information or diagnostic data that may contain private information.

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

If ChatGPT is not working, try these steps in order:

1. Check the official OpenAI Status page.
2. Refresh ChatGPT.
3. Start a new chat.
4. Try incognito/private browsing.
5. Disable browser extensions.
6. Clear relevant browser cache and cookies.
7. Turn off VPNs and proxies.
8. Try another browser.
9. Switch to another network.
10. Try another device.
11. Sign out and sign back in.
12. Contact OpenAI Support if the problem persists.

If you’re comparing ChatGPT plans while troubleshooting an account issue, see our guide to ChatGPT Free vs Plus, or check whether ChatGPT is free to use. If you’re wondering how ChatGPT compares to other assistants while you wait for a fix, see Claude vs ChatGPT and Gemini vs ChatGPT.

Final Answer

If ChatGPT is not working, first determine whether the problem is affecting OpenAI’s service or only your device. Check the official OpenAI Status page first.

If there is no reported outage, refresh ChatGPT and test it in an incognito window. Then disable browser extensions, VPNs and proxies, clear browser data, and try another network, browser or device.

These steps can resolve many common ChatGPT loading, network, response and browser-related problems. If ChatGPT continues to fail across multiple devices and networks while OpenAI reports no general outage, contact OpenAI Support for further assistance.