ChatGPT “Something went wrong”: what it means and how to fix it
Quick answer: “Something went wrong” is ChatGPT's general error. OpenAI says it can mean a temporary problem on its servers or a problem with your own setup. Check the live status below first: if ChatGPT is having problems, wait. If it looks normal, work through the fixes below in order.
The message you're seeing
Something went wrong.There was an error generating a response.
Is it down right now?
- ChatGPT · checked No problems
Live status, updated every minute. If it says “No problems”, the cause is most likely on your side: follow the steps below.
First: is it ChatGPT, or you?
Look at the live status above. If it shows problems, many people are getting the same error and the fix is on OpenAI's side, so give it a few minutes. If it says “No problems”, the cause is almost certainly your browser, an extension or your network, and the steps below usually fix it.
Fixes, in order
- Refresh, or start a new chatReload the page. If one conversation keeps failing, start a new chat; very long conversations are more likely to hit errors.
- Press RegenerateFor “There was an error generating a response”, OpenAI says it may be a one-off. Click Regenerate to try the same message again.
- Try a private windowOpen ChatGPT in an incognito or private window. If it works there, your browser's stored data or an extension is the cause.
- Switch off extensionsPrivacy and security extensions are the usual suspects, along with anything that blocks scripts or changes page content. Turn them off, then re-enable them one by one.
- Clear cache and cookiesClear the browser data for ChatGPT. You'll be signed out, but your chats are saved in your account, not your browser.
- Turn off VPNs and secure DNSOpenAI specifically mentions VPNs and secure DNS tools such as Web Protect. Switch them off and try again.
- Change network or deviceTry mobile data or another device. If ChatGPT works there, the problem is your usual network.
Stuck on “Thinking…” or a spinner that never ends?
- Wait 30–60 secondsLong answers can take a while to start.
- Stop and regenerateClick “Stop generating”, then Regenerate.
- Hard refreshPress Cmd+Shift+R on a Mac or Ctrl+Shift+R on Windows, or reload the desktop app.
- Sign out and back inThen try a private window with extensions disabled.
If nothing works
If the error follows you across browsers, devices and networks while the live status shows no problems, contact OpenAI support. Their help centre asks for a HAR file and the browser console errors with timestamps, plus the model you used and the conversation's link.
Questions
Why does ChatGPT keep saying “Something went wrong”?
Either OpenAI's servers are having trouble, which you'll see in the live status above, or something on your side is interfering: an extension, a VPN, old browser data or your network.
Will clearing my cache delete my ChatGPT history?
No. Your conversations are stored in your OpenAI account, not in the browser. Clearing cookies only signs you out.
Is “There was an error generating a response” the same thing?
It's closely related: ChatGPT couldn't produce an answer that time. Press Regenerate first; if it keeps happening, use the same fixes as for “Something went wrong”.
Want to know when ChatGPT has a real outage? Follow our free outage alerts. We only post real outages, and again when they're fixed.
Related error guides
Based on official documentation, checked 18 October 2026: OpenAI Help Center: Troubleshooting ChatGPT error messages. Error messages and limits change over time, so the provider's own docs are the final word.