⚠️ SYSTEM STATUS ALERT
Last Updated: February 4, 2026
“Hmm… Something Seems to Have Gone Wrong” Error Disrupts ChatGPT Access Worldwide
OpenAI’s ChatGPT platform experienced widespread outages, with users encountering the now-familiar error message and blocked access to key features.
Thousands of users, including professionals and students, reported being unable to generate responses, access conversation history, or use tools like DALL·E. The sudden disruption led to widespread confusion across forums and social media.
OpenAI acknowledged the issue, stating users were facing “elevated error rates” and began deploying fixes within hours. Services were gradually restored, but some regions experienced prolonged instability.
🔍 Initial Reports: Downdetector logged over 12,000 complaints within 30 minutes of the error surfacing.
🛠️ OpenAI Status: Confirmed platform-wide disruption affecting Chat, Codex, DALL·E, and API services.
Key Highlights:
- Error Message: “Hmm… something seems to have gone wrong.”
- Outage Start Time: 3:00 PM ET, February 3, 2026
- Duration: Roughly 3.5 hours (full recovery by 6:30 PM ET)
- Affected Services: ChatGPT, DALL·E, Search, Codex, Atlas, APIs
- Confirmed Cause: Not specified; likely traffic spike and infrastructure strain
The outage marks one of the largest AI disruptions of the year spotlighting the increasing pressure on platforms like ChatGPT to maintain real-time, global reliability.
What Is the “Hmm… Something Seems to Have Gone Wrong” Error in ChatGPT?
The “Hmm… something seems to have gone wrong” error typically appears when ChatGPT fails to process your request. It’s a generic message indicating that either the servers are under stress, or there’s a technical fault with the backend systems.
For me, this error appeared mid-session, right after submitting a prompt. The page stalled for a few seconds, then displayed the grey message with no content in return. Refreshing the page brought no relief.
As one Reddit user aptly put it:
“It’s like the AI equivalent of a shrug, no explanation, just confusion.”
This type of error isn’t unusual for online services, but with AI tools like ChatGPT becoming increasingly embedded in daily work and study routines, even short downtimes can feel disruptive.
When Did the ChatGPT Outage Start and How Long Did It Last?
On 3rd February 2026, ChatGPT suffered a major global outage. According to real-time data from Downdetector, the first reports emerged at around 3:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM GMT). Within just thirty minutes, over 12,000 users had logged complaints about the platform being unresponsive.
I personally noticed the issue around 8:15 PM GMT.
After attempting multiple prompts with no output, I checked the OpenAI status page and saw the message:
“Elevated error rates for ChatGPT users – we are working on implementing a mitigation.”
The issue persisted for several hours and was only officially resolved by around 6:30 PM Eastern (11:30 PM GMT), though some UK users reported lingering instability well past midnight.
Timeline of the ChatGPT Outage
| Time (ET) | Issue | User Impact |
| 3:00 PM | Initial error reports appear | Chat fails to load prompts |
| 3:30 PM | 12,000+ reports logged on Downdetector | Global user access begins to drop |
| 4:00 PM | OpenAI acknowledges elevated error rates | All services unstable |
| 5:14 PM | Fixes start being implemented | Some users regain partial access |
| 6:30 PM | Full service restoration confirmed | Most users are back online |
| After 6:30 PM | Monitoring phase | Regional instability (UK, Hungary, etc.) |
What Services Were Affected by the ChatGPT Outage?
This wasn’t just a minor front-end glitch; it affected nearly every core component of the ChatGPT ecosystem.
According to OpenAI, the services impacted included:
- ChatGPT conversations (text prompts and completions)
- DALL·E image generation
- Search tools
- Conversation history
- OpenAI API and platform tools
- Codex and Atlas integrations
This wide-scale disruption affected everyone, from students using ChatGPT for assignments to developers relying on Codex for code generation.
One frustrated user posted on Facebook:
“I rely on Codex for my daily coding tasks, and it just wouldn’t load. Nothing worked, even switching accounts didn’t help.”
How Did OpenAI Respond to the Disruption?
OpenAI responded swiftly by updating its official status page. They acknowledged the problem and kept users informed with time-stamped updates.
The initial message read:
“We have identified that users are experiencing elevated errors for the impacted services. We are working on implementing a mitigation.”
By 5:14 PM ET, engineers had applied fixes, and a full resolution was announced by 6:30 PM ET. Despite the quick response, users were left without access for a considerable portion of their day, especially problematic for those in critical work roles.
OpenAI also noted that fine-tuning APIs were still under close monitoring even after the main fix.
Why Did the “Something Seems to Have Gone Wrong” Error Occur?
Though OpenAI didn’t publish an exact root cause, several technical indicators and industry reports suggest the issue stemmed from:
- A sudden spike in traffic, likely tied to the recent macOS Codex app launch and Xcode integration
- Server overload from both casual users and developers
- Possible infrastructure strain due to ongoing feature expansions
According to a post from an AI monitoring group, OpenAI’s infrastructure had seen a 200,000+ spike in downloads for its macOS tools just one day before the crash, suggesting a massive increase in API calls and user activity.
Common Causes Behind the ChatGPT Error:
| Possible Cause | Explanation |
| Server Overload | Too many users are accessing ChatGPT at once |
| New Feature Deployment | API expansion and app launches causing system stress |
| High API Usage | Developers are sending large batches of requests to OpenAI servers |
| Infrastructure Limitations | The backend is not scaling fast enough with the growing user base |
| Unrelated External Issues (e.g., CDN) | Hosting or internet backbone disruptions affecting service delivery |
How Can You Fix the “Hmm… Something Seems to Have Gone Wrong” ChatGPT Error?
If you’re seeing this error, don’t panic; it’s often temporary and can usually be fixed with a few quick steps. Whether it’s a server issue or something on your device, there are several ways to troubleshoot it effectively.
Quick Fixes You Can Try Right Away
- Refresh the page: This often resets the connection and resolves minor glitches.
- Log out and back in: A simple re-login can restore functionality.
- Clear your browser’s cache and cookies: This helps remove outdated or corrupted data.
- Switch to a different browser or use Incognito/Private mode: Useful if your main browser is holding onto problematic sessions.
Technical Solutions If the Error Persists
- Disable browser extensions: Particularly ad blockers or privacy tools that may interfere with ChatGPT.
- Use a different device or network: Try switching to mobile data or another Wi-Fi connection.
- Try using a VPN: If the issue is region-specific, a VPN might help bypass restrictions.
- Check OpenAI’s server status at status.openai.com to confirm if the issue is global.
“All I had to do was open ChatGPT in Safari instead of Chrome, and suddenly it worked again. Extensions were the problem,” a friend of mine told me on WhatsApp.
This quick troubleshooting checklist should resolve most instances of the error, but if not, it’s likely an issue on OpenAI’s side, and all you can do is wait for their systems to stabilise.
Can You Prevent This Error from Happening Again?
You can’t prevent OpenAI’s servers from going down, but you can reduce the chances of encountering this error on your side by adjusting how you use the platform. One helpful step is keeping your prompts clear, specific, and direct, as overly broad or vague requests can sometimes trigger errors during processing.
It also helps to break long conversations into shorter sessions. Doing so reduces memory strain and can improve overall stability, especially during peak usage times. Some users choose ChatGPT Plus, which offers priority access and may reduce interruptions when traffic is high.
Others explore shared premium access options, such as FamilyPro, to gain more consistent availability at a lower cost. While outages can’t be fully avoided, these steps may help minimise disruptions.
Was ChatGPT the Only AI Affected?
Surprisingly, ChatGPT wasn’t the only AI tool to experience issues on 3rd February 2026. Claude, the conversational AI developed by Anthropic, also suffered a major outage, with users reporting API-wide failures across all model tiers. While the exact cause wasn’t confirmed, the timing suggests either a coincidence or a potential shared infrastructure strain.
The incident highlights a broader challenge in the AI space: demand is rapidly outpacing the current infrastructure’s ability to scale. With more individuals and businesses relying on AI daily, even brief outages can have a ripple effect.
“AI systems are no longer experimental; they’re mission-critical. This outage proves we need better scaling,” commented one AI analyst on X.
Summary Table: Common ChatGPT Errors and How to Fix Them?
| Error Message | Likely Cause | Fix Steps |
| Hmm… Something seems to have gone wrong | Server overload, system error | Refresh, log out/in, clear cache |
| History is temporarily unavailable | Backend sync failure | Wait, check OpenAI status |
| You’ve made too many requests | Rate limit exceeded | Pause usage for a while |
| Cannot load conversation | Session expired or connection lost | Re-login, refresh |
| Error code 1020 or 429 | Firewall or rate limiting | Disable VPN, try from different network |
Final Thoughts
From my experience, while the “Hmm… something seems to have gone wrong” error was frustrating, it’s not uncommon in the world of cloud-based AI platforms.
As AI tools continue to grow in popularity and demand, temporary outages are expected. The key is how quickly providers like OpenAI respond, and in this case, their turnaround was fairly rapid.
For regular users in the UK like me, the best course of action is to stay informed via OpenAI’s real-time status page, keep your browser clean, and consider Plus access if uptime is critical.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long was ChatGPT down on 3 February 2026?
About 3.5 hours, from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM Eastern Time.
Why do I keep seeing “Hmm… something seems to have gone wrong”?
Usually due to server overload, API failure, or session problems.
Is this a UK-specific issue?
No, it was global. However, UK users reported slower recovery.
Can I do anything to fix this error myself?
Yes, clearing cache, switching browsers, and refreshing usually helps.
Does ChatGPT Plus help avoid these errors?
It can, plus users get priority server access during high-demand periods.
When will ChatGPT be back up during outages?
Most outages are resolved in under 3–4 hours, depending on severity.
Is OpenAI reliable long-term?
Yes, but like all tech platforms, occasional downtime is expected.
