Fact Check: Is Down ChatGPT?

Is Down ChatGPT?

The claim that "ChatGPT is down" has circulated widely, particularly during periods when users report difficulties accessing the service. This article examines the veracity of this claim by analyzing various sources that provide information about ChatGPT's operational status.

What We Know

1. OpenAI Status Page: According to OpenAI's official status page, the service is currently operational, with a reported uptime of 99.59% for ChatGPT as of the latest update in May 2025. The page allows users to subscribe for updates and indicates no known issues affecting their systems at this time 1.

2. User Reports of Outages: A report from BleepingComputer states that ChatGPT experienced connectivity issues worldwide on April 2, 2025, with users encountering a "something went wrong" error 2. This suggests that there have been instances of outages affecting users.

3. Downdetector Analysis: Downdetector, a site that tracks service outages, indicates that there are currently no widespread problems reported at OpenAI 3. This contradicts the claims of outages mentioned in other sources.

4. Real-Time Status Updates: Another source, IsDown.app, provides live updates on the status of OpenAI ChatGPT, indicating that the service is operational and users can access it without issues 4.

5. User Experiences and Troubleshooting: An article on Tenorshare discusses user experiences with outages, noting that some users have faced issues in the past but provides no current evidence of an outage 5.

6. Recent Outages: A report from KGW mentions that OpenAI acknowledged a "major outage" on a Thursday morning, with fixes implemented shortly thereafter 10. This indicates that while outages can occur, they may be resolved relatively quickly.

7. Social Media Reports: A user on X (formerly Twitter) shared a post about ChatGPT wrappers being used when OpenAI is down, suggesting that there may be community awareness of outages 9. However, this is anecdotal and lacks verification.

Analysis

The evidence surrounding the claim that ChatGPT is down presents a mixed picture. On one hand, OpenAI's official status page and Downdetector indicate that the service is operational, which lends credibility to the assertion that there are currently no widespread issues 13. On the other hand, user reports and external articles highlight instances of outages, suggesting that while the service may be operational at times, it is not immune to disruptions 210.

Source Reliability

• OpenAI Status Page: As the official source for service status, this page is highly reliable but may lack real-time updates during peak outage times.
• BleepingComputer and KGW: These are reputable news outlets that report on technology issues. However, they may not always provide immediate updates, leading to potential discrepancies with real-time service status.
• Downdetector: This platform is generally reliable for tracking service outages based on user reports but can be influenced by the volume of reports, which may not always represent the overall user experience.
• User Experiences: Anecdotal evidence from users can be insightful but is not always reliable due to the subjective nature of individual experiences.

Methodology Concerns

The methodology behind user reports and outage tracking can vary. For instance, Downdetector relies on user submissions, which may not capture all instances of outages, particularly if users are unaware of the reporting mechanism. Additionally, the timing of reports can lead to confusion, especially if issues are resolved quickly.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The claim that "ChatGPT is down" is partially true. While OpenAI's official status page and Downdetector indicate that the service is operational, there have been documented instances of outages reported by users and news outlets. This suggests that while the service may generally function well, it is not immune to temporary disruptions.

It is important to note that the evidence is mixed; official sources report high uptime, yet user experiences and reports indicate that outages can and do occur. The variability in user reports and the timing of outages contribute to the uncertainty surrounding the claim.

Readers should critically evaluate information regarding service status and consider that experiences may differ based on timing and individual circumstances. The evidence available does not provide a definitive answer, highlighting the need for ongoing scrutiny of service reliability.

Sources

1. OpenAI Status. OpenAI Status
2. ChatGPT is down worldwide with something went wrong error. BleepingComputer
3. OpenAI down? Current problems and outages. Downdetector
4. OpenAI ChatGPT status - Is OpenAI ChatGPT Down? Current Outages. IsDown
5. Is ChatGPT Down? How to Check and Troubleshoot ChatGPT Outages. Tenorshare
6. ChatGPT was down again — live updates on latest outage. MSN
7. ChatGPT — Release Notes. OpenAI Help
8. Is ChatGPT Down Right Now? | ChatGPT Server Status Explained. HIX.AI
9. Jason on X. X
10. Is ChatGPT down? OpenAI says fix implemented after partial outage. KGW