If ChatGPT is not working, first check status.openai.com to see whether OpenAI has a known outage. If everything is green, the problem is usually on your side: refresh the page or start a new chat, turn off your VPN or proxy, try a private window with browser extensions disabled, clear the site’s cookies and cache, and sign out and back in. These steps, taken from OpenAI’s own troubleshooting guide, fix most errors, including “Something went wrong,” “A network error occurred” and a reply stuck on “Thinking.” Below are fixes for each error message, the mobile app and what to do if nothing works.
Quick fix checklist (try in this order)
- Check the status page: go to status.openai.com. If ChatGPT shows an incident, the only fix is to wait.
- Refresh or start a new chat. Very long conversations can slow down or fail.
- Turn off your VPN, proxy or secure DNS, including iCloud Private Relay and antivirus “web protection” features.
- Open a private (incognito) window. If ChatGPT works there, a browser extension or old cookie is the cause.
- Disable extensions, especially ad blockers, script blockers, privacy tools and page translators.
- Clear cookies and site data for chatgpt.com.
- Sign out and back in.
- Try another browser, network or device to find out whether the problem is your computer or your connection.
Is ChatGPT down right now?
OpenAI posts outages and slowdowns on its official status page, status.openai.com, with separate entries for ChatGPT, the API and other services. If you see a yellow or red incident, your settings are not the problem. Wait, and check the page for updates. If the status page is green but ChatGPT still fails, work through the fixes below.
ChatGPT error messages and how to fix them
| Error | What it usually means | Best first fix |
|---|---|---|
| “Something went wrong” | A temporary server issue or a local browser problem | Refresh, start a new chat, check the status page |
| “A network error occurred” | Your connection to OpenAI dropped | Turn off VPN or proxy, switch networks |
| “Unusual activity detected” | Your traffic looks automated | Turn off VPN, restart the browser, use a private window |
| “There was a problem preparing your chat” | An extension is blocking the page | Disable script-blocking extensions |
| “There was an error generating a response” | A one-time failure | Click Regenerate |
| Stuck on “Thinking” or endless spinner | A slow or stalled reply | Stop, regenerate or start a new chat |
| Blank or frozen page | Broken cache or a blocked script | Hard refresh and clear site data |
“Something went wrong”
This is a general error. OpenAI says it is usually a temporary server issue or a problem with your local setup. Refresh the page or start a new chat, check the status page, then clear cookies, use a private window, disable extensions and turn off any VPN or secure DNS.
“A network error occurred” or a websocket error
Your device cannot keep a stable connection to OpenAI’s servers. This often happens with long answers on weak Wi-Fi. Turn off VPNs, proxies and security filters, try another browser, and switch to a different network, such as your phone’s hotspot. Test your connection with our free internet speed test; high ping or jitter can cause drops.
“Unusual activity detected” or “suspicious activity”
ChatGPT shows this when your traffic looks automated or unusual, which happens most often with VPNs, shared networks and automation tools. OpenAI recommends signing out of all devices and back in, clearing cookies and cache, trying a private window or another browser, and turning off VPNs, proxies, Private Relay, extensions and automation tools. If you share your account, change your password and secure your email, and read how to turn on two-factor authentication.
“There was a problem preparing your chat”
A browser extension or URL blocker is likely interfering with the page. Turn off script blockers and extensions that modify pages, or open ChatGPT in a private window or another browser.
“There was an error generating a response”
This can be a one-time glitch. Click Regenerate first. If it keeps happening, restart your browser, turn off VPN and security filters, and try another browser or network.
ChatGPT stuck on “Thinking” or very slow
- Wait 30 to 60 seconds; complex requests can take time.
- Click Stop, then Regenerate.
- Start a new chat and resend your prompt, especially if the conversation is very long.
- Hard refresh with Ctrl + Shift + R (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + R (Mac).
- Sign out and back in, then try a private window with extensions off.
Blank screen or page that never loads
Hard refresh, sign out and back in, and clear site data for chatgpt.com. Turn off content blockers, VPN and secure DNS. If that fails, try a fresh browser profile or another browser.
“You’ve reached your limit”
This is not an error. Free and paid plans have usage limits for some models and features, such as file uploads and image generation. The message usually tells you when the limit resets. You can keep chatting with another available model, wait for the reset or upgrade your plan.
How do you clear cookies for ChatGPT only?
- Chrome: on chatgpt.com, click the icon to the left of the address, choose Site settings, then Delete data.
- Safari on Mac: go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data, search for chatgpt and remove it.
- Edge: click the icon left of the address, choose Cookies and site data, then manage and delete the data for the site.
You will need to sign in again afterwards.
ChatGPT app not working on iPhone or Android
- Update the app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Force close and reopen the app.
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data to rule out a network problem.
- Turn off VPN apps and Private Relay while testing.
- Clear the app cache on Android (Settings, Apps, ChatGPT, Storage, Clear cache), or delete and reinstall the app on iPhone. Your chats are stored in your account, not on the phone.
- Restart your phone.
What if nothing works?
If ChatGPT fails on every browser, device and network while the status page is green, contact OpenAI support through the help center at help.openai.com. Include your account email, the exact error message, a screenshot, the time it happened with your time zone, your device and browser, and whether you use a VPN. That information speeds up the answer.
In the meantime, you can switch to another assistant. Our guides on how to use Claude and how to use Gemini will get you started, and our ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini comparison explains the differences.
Frequently asked questions
Why does ChatGPT keep saying “network error”?
Usually because the connection drops during a long answer. VPNs, unstable Wi-Fi and security software are the most common causes. Turn them off or switch networks, and ask for shorter answers in parts.
Why does ChatGPT work on my phone but not my computer?
The problem is almost certainly in the computer’s browser: an extension, old cookies or a VPN. Try a private window with extensions disabled.
Does clearing cookies delete my ChatGPT history?
No. Your chats are saved in your OpenAI account. Clearing cookies only signs you out of the browser.
Can a VPN cause ChatGPT errors?
Yes. OpenAI lists VPNs and proxies as a common cause of network and “unusual activity” errors. Learn when a VPN is worth using in do you need a VPN.
Back to chatting
Start with the status page, then the quick checklist: refresh, VPN off, private window, clear site data, sign in again. Most ChatGPT problems disappear in under five minutes. Once it works, get more out of it with our guide on how to write better AI prompts.
Sources
- OpenAI Help Center: ChatGPT error messages
- OpenAI Help Center: Why am I receiving a Suspicious Activity Alert?
- OpenAI Status
This article is based on the official documentation and reporting listed in the sources above, checked on October 29, 2026. Features and prices change, so confirm details on the official pages before you buy. ShokokoTech does not accept payment for coverage. Read our editorial policy.
