If ChatGPT won’t open, messages won’t send, or the page keeps spinning, don’t rush to reinstall. The following ChatGPT troubleshooting checklist is organized from “fast to slow,” prioritizing the most common and easiest-to-verify causes first, and it generally covers most issues on both the web and the app.
Start with three quick checks: network, status page, and browser environment
When troubleshooting ChatGPT errors, first switch networks to test: switch from Wi‑Fi to mobile data, or vice versa, to rule out local network/DNS issues. Second, open status.openai.com to see whether there’s a service disruption; if the status page indicates an outage, you can only wait for recovery. Third, open the same link in an incognito/private window to quickly determine whether cache or browser extensions are interfering.
Login failure, verification loops, or getting repeatedly logged out: from cookies to account security
For login-related ChatGPT troubleshooting, the most effective step is clearing site data: delete the cookies and cache for chat.openai.com in your browser, then log in again. If you see a “verification loop / CAPTCHA won’t load,” common causes include ad blockers, script blockers, or privacy plugins—temporarily disable them and try again. If it still doesn’t work, check whether your account is being logged in elsewhere frequently; if necessary, sign out of other devices in account security and reset your password.
