What should I do when ChatGPT is down?

First, check status.openai.com to confirm it's a widespread outage. If ChatGPT is down, use alternatives: Claude at claude.ai for writing and analysis, Google Gemini at gemini.google.com for research, or Perplexity at perplexity.ai for fact-checked answers. Most outages resolve within 1-2 hours.

What are the best alternatives when ChatGPT is not working?

Top alternatives include: Claude by Anthropic (excellent for writing, coding, and complex tasks), Google Gemini (great for research with real-time info), Perplexity AI (provides sourced answers), and Microsoft Copilot (integrates with Office). All offer free tiers and work independently of OpenAI servers.

How do I fix ChatGPT not loading?

Try these fixes: 1) Refresh the page (Ctrl+R or Cmd+R), 2) Clear browser cache and cookies, 3) Try incognito/private mode, 4) Disable VPN if using one (ChatGPT blocks many VPN IPs), 5) Try a different browser, 6) Check your internet connection, 7) Wait 5-10 minutes if servers are overloaded.

Why does ChatGPT say 'Something went wrong'?

The 'Something went wrong' error is ChatGPT's generic error message that can mean: server overload, your session expired, network issues, or an internal error. Fix it by refreshing the page, logging out and back in, clearing cookies, or trying a different browser. If it persists, ChatGPT may be experiencing widespread issues.

How long do ChatGPT outages usually last?

Based on 90 days of data, the median ChatGPT outage duration is 1 hour 34 minutes. Minor incidents typically resolve in 30-60 minutes, while major outages can last several hours. December 2025 saw outages lasting 4+ hours affecting millions of users worldwide.

ChatGPT Down? Here's Exactly What To Do Right Now (2026 Guide)

Step-by-Step: What To Do When ChatGPT Is Down

Confirm It's Actually Down

Before troubleshooting, verify that ChatGPT is experiencing an actual outage and it's not just your connection.

Check OpenAI Status →

Switch to a Working Alternative

Don't wait for ChatGPT to come back. Use one of these alternatives that are often more reliable:

Claude - Best overall quality, doesn't "dumb down" responses
Gemini - No usage limits, great Google integration
Perplexity - Best for research, cites sources

Compare All Alternatives →

If It's Just You: Quick Fixes

If OpenAI's status page shows everything operational, try these troubleshooting steps:

Clear your browser cache and cookies
Try incognito/private browsing mode
Disable VPN if you're using one
Try a different browser
Check your internet connection
Log out and log back in

Full Troubleshooting Guide →

Sign Up for Outage Alerts

Get notified the moment ChatGPT goes down so you can switch to alternatives immediately.

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🏆 Best Alternatives When ChatGPT Is Down

Claude

Best for: Writing, Analysis, Long Tasks

Higher quality responses than ChatGPT. Doesn't cut corners to save costs. Most users who try Claude don't go back.

Try Claude Free →

Google Gemini

Best for: Google Users, No Limits

No usage limits on free tier. Seamlessly integrates with Gmail, Docs, and other Google services.

Try Gemini Free →

Perplexity

Best for: Research, Fact-Checking

Cites sources for every claim. Best for research and when you need accurate, verifiable information.

Try Perplexity Free →

View Complete Alternatives Guide →

⚡ Quick Fixes If ChatGPT Works for Others But Not You

Clear browser cache: Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data
Try incognito mode: Ctrl+Shift+N (Chrome) or Ctrl+Shift+P (Firefox)
Disable browser extensions that might interfere
Turn off your VPN temporarily
Switch from WiFi to mobile data (or vice versa)
Try chat.openai.com instead of chatgpt.com (or vice versa)
Use a different browser entirely
Restart your router if nothing else works

Why Does ChatGPT Go Down So Often?

ChatGPT has had 71 incidents in the last 90 days including 2 major outages. Here's why:

800 million weekly users straining infrastructure
Rapid feature additions (GPT-5, images, voice) introducing instability
OpenAI reportedly loses money on queries, limiting infrastructure investment
Priority given to new features over reliability

Read: Why ChatGPT Keeps Getting Worse →

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Step-by-Step: What To Do When ChatGPT Is Down

Confirm It's Actually Down

Switch to a Working Alternative

If It's Just You: Quick Fixes

Sign Up for Outage Alerts

🏆 Best Alternatives When ChatGPT Is Down

Claude

Google Gemini

Perplexity

⚡ Quick Fixes If ChatGPT Works for Others But Not You

Why Does ChatGPT Go Down So Often?

🔔 Get Instant Outage Alerts

More Resources

🚨 Need An AI Right Now?

Step-by-Step: What To Do When ChatGPT Is Down

Confirm It's Actually Down

Switch to a Working Alternative

If It's Just You: Quick Fixes

Sign Up for Outage Alerts

🏆 Best Alternatives When ChatGPT Is Down

Claude

Google Gemini

Perplexity

⚡ Quick Fixes If ChatGPT Works for Others But Not You

Why Does ChatGPT Go Down So Often?

🔔 Get Instant Outage Alerts

More Resources

Related: Outages & Status