Fix the Something Went Wrong Error on ChatGPT

The “Something went wrong” message in ChatGPT can appear when a request fails to send or a reply stops unexpectedly. These steps help you identify whether the cause is a temporary service issue, your browser or app, your network, or the conversation itself. Start with the quickest checks and move on only if the error continues.

What You’ll Need

A current browser or the ChatGPT app, and access to your account if you need to sign in again.
A reliable internet connection. If possible, have another network or device available for comparison.
The text of your prompt saved somewhere safe if you may need to retry it.

Step-by-Step

Check whether ChatGPT is having a service issue. Open the official OpenAI status page and look for a current incident affecting ChatGPT. If an issue is reported, your device may be working normally. Wait for the service to recover, then retry. Repeatedly refreshing or resending a long prompt is unlikely to help during an outage.
Retry once and check the conversation. If the status page shows no relevant issue, wait a few seconds and select the retry option if it appears. Otherwise, send the request again once. If the error happens only in one conversation, start a new chat and submit a short, simple prompt. This helps distinguish a problem with that conversation from a wider connection or account issue. Copy any useful context before leaving the original chat.
Reload ChatGPT or restart the app. In a browser, reload the page. If that does not help, close the ChatGPT tab, open a new one, and sign in again if prompted. In the mobile or desktop app, fully close it and reopen it. A restart can clear a temporary loading or session problem. Save any unsent text first, because reloading can erase it.
Test your internet connection. Open another website or app that requires an internet connection. If it also fails, reconnect to Wi-Fi or mobile data, or restart your router if appropriate. You can also switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, or try another trusted network. If ChatGPT works on one connection but not another, the issue may be with the original network or its settings.
Try a private window or another browser. Browser extensions, stored site data, or a damaged session can interfere with a page. Open ChatGPT in a private or incognito window and sign in. If it works there, return to your usual browser and temporarily disable extensions—especially ones that modify pages, block scripts, or filter traffic—then retry. Re-enable extensions one at a time to find a conflict. You can also test another up-to-date browser.
Clear ChatGPT site data if the browser test points to a session problem. In your browser’s settings, find site data or cookies, search for the ChatGPT/OpenAI site, and remove its stored data. The exact menu names vary by browser. This will sign you out and may remove local site preferences, so make sure you know how to sign back in. Reopen ChatGPT and try again. Avoid clearing all browsing data unless necessary.
Update the app or browser. Install available updates for the ChatGPT app or your browser, then restart it. If you use the app, check that it is the official app from your device’s normal app store. An outdated version can have compatibility or loading issues; updating is safer than downloading an installer from an unfamiliar site.
Check VPN, proxy, or filtering settings. If you use a VPN, proxy, private relay, or network filter, temporarily turn it off if you are allowed to do so, then retry. Some networks restrict or interrupt connections to online services. If you are on a work, school, or managed network, ask its administrator whether access is restricted rather than trying to bypass the restriction.
Reduce the size or complexity of the request. If only a particular prompt fails, try a shorter version, remove a large attachment, or send the material in smaller parts. Confirm that an attachment has finished uploading before submitting. A new, brief prompt can also show whether the problem is tied to the original request rather than ChatGPT generally.

Common Mistakes

Resending repeatedly. Multiple rapid retries can create duplicate messages and do not resolve a service outage. Check status and retry once after a short pause.
Reloading before saving a long prompt. A refresh or app restart may discard text that has not been sent. Copy it first.
Clearing every browser cookie immediately. This can sign you out of many sites. Test a private window first, then clear only the relevant site data if that test suggests it will help.
Changing several settings at once. If you disable extensions, switch networks, and clear data together, you may not learn which change mattered. Test one change at a time.
Assuming the message means your account is blocked. This general error can have several causes. Check for service and connection problems before drawing conclusions about your account.

Tips

Note when the error occurs: at sign-in, while sending, during a reply, or only when uploading a file. That detail narrows down the likely cause.
Test a short prompt in a new chat before troubleshooting a complicated request. It is a quick way to check whether basic chat is working.
Keep the app and browser updated, and use a stable connection for large uploads or long requests.
If the service status page reports an incident, wait for the update to clear before making extensive changes to your device.

Troubleshooting

The error appears on every device and network. Check the official status page again. If there is no reported incident and the problem persists, sign out and back in once, then contact OpenAI support through the Help Center. Include when the issue began, what you were doing, your device and browser or app, and the steps you already tried. Do not include your password or other sensitive account details.

It fails only in one browser. Test a private window, disable extensions temporarily, update the browser, and clear only ChatGPT site data if needed. If another browser works, the cause is likely tied to the original browser’s settings or stored session.

It fails only on one network. Try another trusted connection. If the alternate network works, check for filtering, proxy, or firewall settings on the network where it fails. For a managed network, ask the administrator for help.

It happens only with uploads or long prompts. Confirm the file is supported and fully uploaded, then try a smaller file or split the request into shorter messages. If a short text prompt works, focus on the attachment or request size rather than reinstalling the app.

You still cannot use ChatGPT. Record the approximate time, the error wording, and whether the issue affects one chat or all chats. Contact support using the available Help Center route and provide those details. Avoid sending private conversation content unless support specifically needs it and you are comfortable sharing it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “Something went wrong” mean in ChatGPT?
It is a general message that a request or page action did not complete. It does not identify one specific cause; service, network, browser, app, or prompt issues can all contribute.

Is ChatGPT down when I see this error?
Not necessarily. Check the official OpenAI status page for a current incident. If there is none, test your connection and try a new chat or private browser window.

Will refreshing the page delete my chat?
Reloading usually does not remove saved conversation history, but it can discard text that has not been sent. Copy an unsent prompt before refreshing.

Should I clear cookies to fix the error?
Try a private window first. If that works, remove only ChatGPT’s site data from your normal browser; this signs you out, so be ready to sign in again.

Why does the error happen only with one prompt?
The prompt may be unusually long, include an attachment that did not upload properly, or be affected by a temporary issue in that conversation. Try a shorter version in a new chat.

What information should I give support?
Share when it happened, your device and browser or app, whether it affects all chats, and the troubleshooting steps you tried. Never send your password.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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