If you were engaged with ChatGPT earlier today, you may have noticed a significant disruption as the OpenAI platform experienced a widespread outage. Numerous users reported their frustration as they encountered issues submitting queries and accessing their ChatGPT accounts. Around 1:30 p.m. ET, many users shared their experiences of the platform failing to generate responses after prompts were entered. This sudden inability to interact with the AI tool has raised questions and concerns among users about the underlying causes of this unexpected outage.

At approximately 11:00 a.m. PT/2 p.m. ET on December 26, OpenAI publicly acknowledged the ongoing issues on its official status page. The statement indicated that they were experiencing “high error rates” affecting ChatGPT, the API, and Sora. OpenAI assured users that they were actively investigating the situation and promised to provide timely updates as more information became available. This proactive communication aimed to alleviate user concerns during the frustrating downtime.

The recent complications faced by OpenAI’s services are part of a larger trend of technological disruptions this year. Earlier in December 2024, platforms owned by Meta—including Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp—also experienced significant outages, which led to chaos across social media. Users found themselves unable to share photos, post updates, or connect with friends. Meta later confirmed the situation via X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the widespread impact of such outages on users worldwide and emphasizing the vulnerability of even the largest platforms.

To uncover the details surrounding the reason for ChatGPT‘s extensive outage, continue reading below for further insights.

Current Status: Is ChatGPT Accessible Again?

As of the time this article was published, many users were still experiencing difficulties accessing ChatGPT. Reports from Downdetector indicated that over 15,000 people were affected by the outage at approximately 2:00 p.m. ET. By 3:00 p.m., the number of users reporting issues had decreased to around 3,900, suggesting that while some users were still facing challenges, others might have regained access to the service. The fluctuating nature of the outage reflects the ongoing efforts by OpenAI to resolve these technical difficulties and restore full functionality to the platform.

Understanding the Causes Behind ChatGPT’s Outage

At around 11:18 a.m. PT/2:18 p.m. ET, OpenAI provided clarification regarding the root cause of the outage. They reported that the problems stemmed from an “upstream provider,” and reassured users that they were actively monitoring the situation. This indicates that the issue may lie with an external service that supports OpenAI’s infrastructure, highlighting the interconnected nature of internet services.

An upstream provider typically refers to an internet service provider (ISP) that facilitates connections between the platform and users. When an upstream provider encounters issues, it can disrupt the flow of data, preventing users from accessing their stored information on platforms like ChatGPT. This technical challenge illustrates the complexities involved in maintaining reliable service in an increasingly digital landscape where multiple providers are interdependent.

Tracking ChatGPT’s Outage History in 2024

Reports from various sources indicate that ChatGPT and other platforms under OpenAI experienced several outages throughout 2024. Notably, in June, users worldwide faced significant disruptions, raising concerns about the stability of the service. These recurring outages have prompted discussions about the reliability of AI tools and the importance of robust infrastructure to support the growing demand for these technologies.