Is ChatGPT Down Right Now? Current Status & Quick Fixes

Users report ChatGPT outages lasting 50+ minutes despite OpenAI's status page showing 99.62% uptime. The disconnect reveals monitoring gaps, but simple fixes like clearing cookies often resolve connectivity issues when the service appears down.

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ChatGPT appears to be working according to OpenAI's official status page, but user reports suggest otherwise. While OpenAI states they're "not aware of any issues affecting our systems," Reddit users and social media reports indicate sporadic slowdowns and connectivity problems throughout February 2026. The disconnect between official status and user experience highlights the complexity of monitoring AI service reliability.

Current ChatGPT status across platforms

The picture varies dramatically depending on where you check. OpenAI's official status page reports 99.62% uptime and shows no current issues. Downdetector, which tracks user-reported issues, indicates "no current problems at OpenAI" based on its monitoring.

However, Reddit users tell a different story. Posts in r/OpenAI report outages lasting 50+ minutes, affecting both free and paid ChatGPT Plus subscribers. The gap suggests either localised issues or problems not reflected in official monitoring systems.

Third-party monitoring sites like Downforeveryoneorjustme.com and Isitdownrightnow.com report ChatGPT as "UP and reachable," but these services check only basic connectivity, not full functionality.

Why ChatGPT appears down when it isn't

Several factors can make ChatGPT appear offline even when OpenAI reports no issues. Server load during peak hours (typically 9am-5pm GST) can cause significant slowdowns, making the service feel broken.

Cloudflare security checks frequently trigger false alarms. Users seeing "please unblock challenges.cloudflare.com to proceed" aren't experiencing an outage — they're hitting security filters. This typically resolves by refreshing the page or clearing browser cookies.

Network routing issues can affect specific regions without triggering OpenAI's global status alerts. UAE users may experience different performance than those in the US or Europe, despite identical official status reports.

Quick troubleshooting steps

Before assuming ChatGPT is down, try these fixes. Clear your browser cache and cookies, then refresh the page. This resolves most Cloudflare-related issues and session conflicts.

Try accessing ChatGPT through a different browser or incognito mode. If it works there, browser extensions or stored data are likely causing problems. Temporarily disable ad blockers, as they sometimes interfere with ChatGPT's loading.

Check your internet connection by visiting other AI services. If those work fine, the issue is likely ChatGPT-specific. For mobile users, switching between WiFi and cellular data can reveal whether the issue is a network routing problem.

ChatGPT alternatives when it's not working

Several alternatives can fill the gap when ChatGPT is genuinely unavailable. Claude by Anthropic offers similar conversational abilities and often handles complex tasks better than ChatGPT. Google's Gemini provides real-time access to information, which ChatGPT lacks in its free version.

For UAE users, the recently launched K2 Think model offers locally developed AI capabilities that often respond faster than international services. Microsoft Copilot integrates ChatGPT's underlying technology with search capabilities.

Perplexity.ai combines chatbot functionality with web search, making it useful when you need current information. These alternatives often work when ChatGPT doesn't, suggesting the issues are service-specific rather than internet-wide.

Monitoring ChatGPT status in real-time

For the most accurate status information, check multiple sources. OpenAI's official status page at status.openai.com provides the company line but may not reflect localised issues. Downdetector reports user-reported problems but can show false positives during viral outages.

Social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit often provide the fastest real-time updates from actual users. Search for "ChatGPT down" on these platforms to find immediate user reports from your region.

The ongoing AI developments mean service reliability varies as companies push new features and handle scaling challenges. Regular monitoring across multiple sources gives the clearest picture of actual service status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ChatGPT not working today?

ChatGPT's official status shows no issues, but users report intermittent slowdowns and connectivity problems throughout February 2026, particularly during peak hours.

Why is the ChatGPT not working?

Common causes include server overload during peak times, Cloudflare security checks, browser cache issues, or regional network routing problems rather than actual service outages.

Why is ChatGPT so slow today?

High server load during business hours (9am-5pm GST) typically causes slowdowns. Peak usage periods strain OpenAI's infrastructure, making responses significantly slower.

Why is ChatGPT saying please unblock challenges Cloudflare.com?

This indicates Cloudflare security screening, not an outage. Clear browser cookies and refresh the page to resolve the security check and continue using ChatGPT.

What are the best ChatGPT alternatives when it's down?

Claude by Anthropic, Google Bard, Microsoft Copilot, and Perplexity.ai offer similar functionality. UAE's K2 Think model provides locally optimised performance during international service issues.

How can I check if ChatGPT is really down?

Check OpenAI's status page, Downdetector, and social media reports. Try accessing from different browsers or networks to distinguish between local issues and service outages.