ChatGPT has been experiencing a significant outage, causing widespread disruptions for users worldwide. The current outage is part of a series of technical issues that began on August 26 and have progressively worsened over time. During peak hours, a sudden ChatGPT outage crashes service for OpenAI, leaving users unable to access the platform.
The month of August has seen a noticeable increase in the number of incidents involving ChatGPT, surpassing those reported in July and matching the total number recorded in June. Several issues documented in July were related to the newly released GPT-4o language model.
August has been particularly problematic, with elevated error rates reaching their highest point on August 28. On this date, a surge in “Bad Gateway” errors was significant enough to create a noticeable spike on the Downdetector website, indicating widespread user frustration.
Details of the August 28 Error
Most reported problems on August 28 involved issues with the ChatGPT website, although 4% of the reported outages affected the ChatGPT mobile app. The high volume of “Bad Gateway” errors suggests a major service disruption.
The OpenAI status page confirmed severe outages, noting “elevated error rates for ChatGPT.” According to the update, a fix has been implemented, and the situation is currently being monitored to ensure stability.
Series of Outages Reported Since Late August
Whenever a ChatGPT outage crashes service for OpenAI, users experience frustration due to the unavailability of the chatbot. The status page also indicated this issue is part of a multi-day series of disruptions:
- On August 27, there were “elevated error rates for GPT-4o-mini-2024-07-18 fine-tuned models,” which were later resolved. This issue lasted from 12:27 PM to 2:14 PM PDT.
- On August 26, there was “increased conversation latency in ChatGPT” from 12:51 AM to 12:51 PM PT, which has since been resolved.
OpenAI has stated that a fix has been deployed and that they are closely monitoring the results. Some users, however, may still experience issues due to delays in propagating the fix through different data centers or other infrastructure problems, possibly involving cloud gateways. Users are advised to check the OpenAI status page for the latest updates.
How To Check If ChatGPT is Down?
The sudden ChatGPT outage crashes service for OpenAI, highlighting the need for more robust infrastructure. If you’re wondering whether ChatGPT is down or if it’s just an issue on your end, here are a few steps you can take to find out:
1. Check OpenAI’s Status Page:
Visit the OpenAI status page for real-time server analysis. It will show if there are any widespread issues affecting ChatGPT.
2. Check the ChatGPT App:
If you’re using ChatGPT in a web browser, try using the ChatGPT app on your mobile device (available for iOS and Android). Sometimes, the app might work even if the web version is down, or vice versa.
3. Check OpenAI’s Social Media (X Account):
Follow OpenAI on X (formerly Twitter) and check their updates. They often announce outages or maintenance periods there.
4. Check Downdetector or Similar Sites:
Use third-party platforms like Downdetector to see if other users are reporting problems with ChatGPT. This can help confirm if it’s a widespread issue.
5. Check Availability in Your Region:
Ensure that ChatGPT is available in your region. If you’re using a VPN, make sure your virtual location is set to a supported country.
6. Try ChatGPT Alternatives:
If ChatGPT is down and you need a quick alternative, consider other AI tools like Google Gemini, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Meta AI, or Perplexity. They can help you with general inquiries while you wait for ChatGPT to come back online.
7. Basic Troubleshooting:
Don’t forget the basics—restart your router or computer, clear your browser cache, or try a different browser or device. These steps might solve the problem if it’s a local issue.
Also Read: What Is The California AI Regulation Bill SB 1047: Everything You Need to Know About It.
