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ChatGPT Not Working 2026: How to Fix Errors, Slow Responses & Common Problems (Troubleshooting Guide)
January 21, 2026
TL;DR: Quick Fixes
"ChatGPT is at capacity" → Try different time, use Claude/Gemini, or upgrade to Plus Slow responses → Clear conversation, start new chat, check internet Wrong/bad answers → Rewrite prompt with more detail, try different approach Can't login → Clear cache, try different browser, check if account suspended Features missing → Check if you're on right plan, try desktop vs mobile
Most ChatGPT problems fall into a few categories. Here's how to fix each one.
"ChatGPT is at capacity right now"
What this means: Too many people using it. Servers full.
When it happens: Peak hours (weekday mornings, lunch, evenings in US time zones)
Immediate fixes:
Try in 15 minutes Capacity issues usually clear fast. Do something else, come back.
Use different AI tool
Claude at claude.ai (usually available when ChatGPT isn't)
Gemini at gemini.google.com (Google's, rarely at capacity)
Perplexity at perplexity.ai (good for research)
Upgrade to ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) Plus users skip the line. Rarely see capacity errors.
Worth upgrading if: You hit this multiple times per week. Your time worth more than $20/month.
Slow Responses or Stops Mid-Answer
Problem: ChatGPT responding slowly or stops halfway through answer.
Fixes:
Start New Conversation
Long conversations slow down. Click "New chat" and start fresh.
Why this works: Each conversation stores full history. After 20+ exchanges, it's processing tons of context.
Shorten Your Prompt
Really long prompts (500+ words) take longer to process.
Fix: Break into smaller requests. Don't paste entire documents unless necessary.
Check Your Internet
Weak connection makes it seem like ChatGPT is slow.
Test: Try loading other sites. If they're slow too, it's your internet not ChatGPT.
Time of Day
Peak usage times = slower for everyone.
Worst times: 9am-noon and 2pm-5pm US Eastern (when most people working) Best times: Early morning, late evening, weekends
Getting Wrong or Bad Answers
Problem: ChatGPT gives wrong information, doesn't understand your question, or provides useless answers.
This isn't really "not working" - it's doing what you told it, just not what you wanted.
Fix 1: Be More Specific
Doesn't work: "Help me with marketing"
Works: "Create 5 Instagram post ideas for coffee shop targeting local customers, focus on seasonal drinks and community events"
The difference: Specific task, clear context, defined output.
Fix 2: Give Examples
Show ChatGPT what you want.
Why this works: AI learns from examples better than descriptions.
Fix 3: Add Context
Doesn't work: "Fix this code: [code]"
Works: "This Python code should calculate total but returns error. Using Python 3.9. Error message: [paste error]. Help me fix it."
What changed: Language version, expected behavior, actual error.
Fix 4: Break Complex Requests Into Steps
Doesn't work: "Plan my entire marketing campaign"
Works:
First: "What channels work for [target audience]"
Then: "Create content ideas for [chosen channel]"
Then: "Write first week of posts"
Complex requests overwhelm it. Step by step works better.
Can't Login or Account Issues
"Wrong password" but password is correct
Try:
Password reset (easier than troubleshooting)
Different browser
Incognito/private mode
Clear cookies and cache
If still failing: Account might be suspended. Check email for OpenAI notifications.
Verification email not arriving
Check:
Spam folder (often ends up there)
Email typed correctly
Wait 10 minutes (sometimes delayed)
Still nothing: Use different email address to create account.
"Too many requests" error
What this means: You're asking too fast or hitting API limits.
Fix: Wait 5 minutes. Slow down between requests.
For Plus users: This shouldn't happen. If it does regularly, contact support.
Features Not Working
Can't see GPT-4 or newer models
Check:
Are you on Plus plan? Free users get limited access to better models.
Try desktop instead of mobile (mobile app sometimes behind)
Log out and back in
Still missing: Your Plus subscription might not be active. Check billing.
Plugins/Tools not showing
Reality: Features roll out gradually. Not everyone gets them at once.
Check: Settings → Beta features → Enable what you want
Not there: You're in later rollout group. Nothing you can do but wait.
Can't upload files
Free users: File upload limited or not available. Plus users: Should work. Try different file format or smaller file.
File size limits:
Images: Usually 20MB
Documents: Varies by type
Too big? Paste text instead of uploading file.
Mobile App Problems
App keeps crashing
Try:
Force close app
Restart phone
Update app to latest version
Delete and reinstall app
Still crashing: Use web browser instead (chat.openai.com works on mobile browsers)
Conversations not syncing between devices
This is normal. Sometimes takes a few minutes.
Force sync: Log out and back in on both devices.
Still not syncing: Bug. Report it. Use web version for important stuff.
When ChatGPT Gives You These Specific Errors
"Network error"
Usually means: Your internet connection dropped mid-response.
Fix:
Check internet connection
Reload page
Start new chat
Previous conversation should still be there
"Something went wrong"
Generic error. Could be anything.
Try:
Refresh page
Start new conversation
Try simpler request
Wait 5 minutes and try again
Keeps happening: Might be bug. Try different browser or device.
"This content may violate our policies"
What this means: You triggered content filter (even accidentally).
Common triggers:
Anything about violence, hate speech
Certain political topics
Requests for illegal information
Some medical advice
Fix: Rewrite request without trigger words. Be more general.
False positive: Happens sometimes. Rephrase and try again.
ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini (When to Switch)
Switch to Claude when:
Need longer, more thoughtful responses
ChatGPT giving surface-level answers
Want nuanced analysis
Better at understanding complex context
Switch to Gemini when:
ChatGPT is down/slow
Need faster responses
Working with Google Docs/Drive
Speed matters more than depth
Switch to Perplexity when:
Need current information (ChatGPT has knowledge cutoff)
Want cited sources
Research-focused tasks
Reality: Having 2-3 tools means you're never stuck when one isn't working.
When It's Actually Down (Not Just You)
Check if it's just you:
Try different device
Try different internet connection
Check https://status.openai.com (official status page)
Search Twitter/X for "ChatGPT down" (people complain immediately)
If it's actually down:
Nothing you can do
Usually back within 30-60 minutes
Use alternative tool meanwhile
Major outages: Rare but happen. OpenAI usually posts updates on status page and Twitter.
Making ChatGPT Work Better (Prevention)
Keep conversations shorter
Don't let single conversation go 50+ messages. Start new chat every 10-20 exchanges.
Be specific in prompts
More detail = better results. Don't make ChatGPT guess what you want.
Use examples when possible
Show it what you want instead of describing it.
Save prompts that work
When you get good results, save that prompt. Reuse it.
Don't expect perfection
First result is rarely perfect. Refine and iterate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does ChatGPT keep giving me the same wrong answer?
It's stuck in pattern from conversation history. Start new chat.
Can I fix ChatGPT if it's giving politically biased responses?
Ask it to provide multiple perspectives or be more neutral. Or use Claude which tends toward more balanced responses.
Why does ChatGPT refuse to answer harmless questions?
Content filter is oversensitive. Rephrase question. Remove anything that could trigger filter.
Is there a way to make ChatGPT faster?
Shorter prompts, new conversations, off-peak hours. Or upgrade to Plus (priority access = faster).
What if ChatGPT forgets context from earlier in conversation?
Conversation too long. Summarize relevant parts and start new chat with summary.
Why does mobile app work differently than desktop?
Mobile gets updates slower. Features roll out to desktop first.
Can I get refund if ChatGPT Plus isn't working?
Contact OpenAI support. They're generally good about refunds for technical issues.
What's the difference between "ChatGPT" and "GPT-4"?
ChatGPT is the interface. GPT-4 is one of the AI models it uses. Free users get GPT-3.5, Plus users get GPT-4.
When to Contact Support
Contact support if:
Account suspended (and you don't know why)
Plus subscription charged but not working
Persistent technical issues (tried everything here)
Billing problems
Don't bother for:
"At capacity" errors (just wait)
Slow responses during peak hours (normal)
Content filter refusing your request (working as designed)
Free tier limitations (upgrade or accept limits)
Support: help.openai.com
Related Reading
Getting Better Results:
Common Mistakes:
Alternative Tools:
www.topfreeprompts.com
Access 80,000+ prompts that work across ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. When one tool is down, switch to another with same prompt library.
