How to tell if OpenAI is actually down

OpenAI's services go down occasionally, but the problem is usually not on their end — it's your internet, your browser, or a temporary glitch on your device. Before you assume the whole system is broken, check these things in order. Most of the time one of these steps will get you back online.

Start by opening a different website in your browser — something simple like Google or Wikipedia. If that site loads normally, OpenAI's problem is real. If that site also won't load, your internet connection is the issue, not OpenAI. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting two minutes for it to fully restart.

Key Takeaways

  • Test whether your internet works by loading a different website first — if Google loads but ChatGPT does not, OpenAI may be down.
  • Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again in an incognito or private window to rule out a corrupted browser state.
  • Check the OpenAI status page at status.openai.com to see real-time reports of outages and maintenance windows.
  • If you are logged in but cannot access your account, try logging out completely, clearing your browser data, and logging back in.
  • OpenAI occasionally takes services offline for maintenance, which they announce on their status page and social media accounts.

Check the OpenAI status page

OpenAI maintains a public status page at status.openai.com that shows whether their services are running normally or experiencing problems. This page updates in real time and is the fastest way to confirm whether the outage is widespread or just affecting your account.

The status page shows the health of ChatGPT, the API, and other OpenAI services. If you see a green checkmark next to each service, OpenAI is running normally and the problem is on your end. If you see a yellow or red indicator, OpenAI is experiencing an outage or maintenance window. The page also shows a history of recent incidents so you can see how long problems usually last.

Clear your browser and try again

Cached files and stored cookies sometimes prevent a website from loading correctly, especially after an update. Clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try accessing ChatGPT again. The steps differ slightly depending on which browser you use.

In Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete on Windows or Command + Shift + Delete on Mac. A window will open asking what you want to clear. Select "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files", then click "Clear data". After that, close the browser completely and open it again. Go to ChatGPT and try logging in fresh.

If you still cannot access the site, open an incognito or private window (Ctrl + Shift + N in Chrome, Ctrl + Shift + P in Firefox, Ctrl + Shift + M in Edge). Incognito windows do not use cached data, so if ChatGPT loads there, your regular browser cache was the problem. If it still does not load in incognito, the issue is either your internet or OpenAI's servers.

Log out completely and log back in

If you can reach the ChatGPT website but cannot access your account or see an error message, your session may be corrupted. Log out by clicking your profile picture in the bottom left corner and selecting "Log out". Close your browser completely — not just the tab, but the entire browser window.

Wait 30 seconds, then open the browser again and go to ChatGPT. Log in with your email and password. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you will need to enter the code from your authenticator app or email. This forces your browser to create a fresh session, which often fixes account-specific problems.

Check your internet connection

A weak or unstable internet connection can make OpenAI appear to be down when it is actually running fine. Run a speed test at speedtest.net to see your current download and upload speeds. If your download speed is below 5 Mbps or your ping is above 100 ms, your connection is too slow or unstable for ChatGPT to work reliably.

If you are on Wi-Fi, move closer to your router or switch to a wired connection if possible. If you are already wired, restart your modem and router as described earlier. If the problem persists, contact your internet provider — they can check whether your line is experiencing issues on their end.

Try a different device or network

If you have access to another device — a phone, tablet, or different computer — try accessing ChatGPT there. If it works on the other device, the problem is with your original device or its network connection, not with OpenAI. If it does not work on any device, and you have confirmed your internet is working, OpenAI is likely experiencing an outage.

If you have access to a different network — a phone hotspot, a friend's Wi-Fi, or a public network — try connecting through that instead. If ChatGPT works on a different network, your home internet or router is the problem. If it does not work on any network, OpenAI's servers are down.

What to do while OpenAI is down

If you have confirmed that OpenAI is experiencing a real outage, there is nothing you can do to fix it on your end. OpenAI's engineering team is already working on restoring service. Check the status page every 15 to 30 minutes for updates — most outages last between 30 minutes and a few hours.

Follow OpenAI on X (formerly Twitter) or check their status page for announcements about the outage and estimated time to recovery. If you need to use ChatGPT urgently, you can try alternative AI chatbots like Google's Gemini, Microsoft's Copilot, or Claude, though they have different capabilities and may require separate accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if it is my internet or OpenAI?

Open a different website like Google in the same browser. If Google loads but ChatGPT does not, OpenAI is down. If Google also will not load, your internet is the problem. If you are unsure, check status.openai.com — if it shows green checkmarks, your internet is working and the problem is with your device or browser.

Why does ChatGPT work on my phone but not my computer?

Your computer's browser cache, cookies, or network settings are likely the cause. Clear your browser cache and cookies as described above, or try accessing ChatGPT in an incognito window. If it works in incognito, your regular browser data was corrupted. If it still does not work, restart your computer and try again.

Does OpenAI do scheduled maintenance?

Yes, OpenAI occasionally takes services offline for updates and maintenance. They announce these in advance on their status page and social media. If you see a maintenance notice on status.openai.com, the outage is planned and service will return at the time they specify.

What if the status page says everything is fine but I still cannot access ChatGPT?

The problem is on your end. Try clearing your browser cache, logging out and back in, or using an incognito window. If none of those work, restart your device completely. If it still does not work after a restart, try accessing ChatGPT from a different network or device to narrow down whether the issue is your internet, your device, or your account.

How long do OpenAI outages usually last?

Most outages last between 30 minutes and two hours. Longer outages are rare. The status page shows a history of past incidents, so you can see how long previous problems took to resolve. If an outage lasts longer than a few hours, check the status page for updates from OpenAI's team.