OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Codex services encountered an outage on Friday, with numerous users reporting disruptions. Reports of the chatgpt down incident began circulating around 6:55 p.m. EDT, impacting access and functionality for a global user base reliant on these artificial intelligence platforms. Users widely reported encountering specific error messages when attempting to utilize the services.
According to information from the outage-tracking website Downdetector, the surge in user reports started during the late afternoon hours on Friday. Many users attempting to access either ChatGPT or Codex were met with an ‘Unexpected status 401: Incorrect API key’ error. This specific message was frequently cited across various platforms by individuals experiencing the service interruption.
Beyond the API key issue, other users detailed experiencing different problems. Some reported being in the middle of a chat session when an ‘Error in message stream’ appeared, accompanied by a ‘RETRY’ button. Attempts to restart or initiate new conversations, even simple greetings, reportedly led to the same error after a brief period of apparent functionality, as noted by some affected individuals. There were also instances where users observed a gradual decline in service speed throughout the day before a complete halt.
User Reports Detail Widespread Access Issues
The problems extended across different access methods, with reports coming from users utilizing the services through browsers on multiple computers. Social media platforms, including X, became a hub for users to confirm that they were not alone in facing these difficulties. Several individuals checked these platforms to verify if the issues were localized or part of a broader outage.
Many users specifically highlighted that they had never encountered the ‘incorrect API key provided’ error before, emphasizing that the problem appeared suddenly. Despite attempts to troubleshoot locally, such as updating applications or resetting connections, the issues persisted, suggesting a problem originating from the service provider’s end rather than individual user configurations. The consistency of these reports across various users underscored the widespread nature of the disruption.
OpenAI Acknowledges Service Disruption Amid Global Reliance
In response to the growing number of reports, OpenAI’s official status page acknowledged the errors affecting its services. The company issued a statement confirming, ‘We have identified that users are experiencing elevated errors for the impacted services. We are working on implementing a mitigation,’ specifically addressing the issues observed with Codex.
This disruption holds significance beyond individual user inconvenience, particularly for the international audience. Many businesses, developers, and researchers globally integrate OpenAI’s models, including ChatGPT and Codex, into their operations for tasks ranging from content generation and code assistance to data analysis and customer service. An outage can therefore impact productivity, disrupt workflows, and potentially halt critical AI-driven processes across different time zones and industries, highlighting the growing global reliance on sophisticated AI tools for everyday functionality and innovation.
As OpenAI works to implement a mitigation, users worldwide will be monitoring the company’s status page for updates on when full functionality for ChatGPT and Codex is expected to be restored. The incident underscores the foundational role these AI services play in various global sectors and the immediate impact when their availability is compromised.
Image: Ilustracion generada con IA
Sources consulted
- GV Wire: ChatGPT Down for Thousands of Users Friday, Downdetector Reports
- Hindustan Times: OpenAI down: ChatGPT and Codex not working as users report ‘Unexpected status 401’ error amid outage | Hindustan Times
- Technobezz: OpenAI Reports Mobile Users Unable to See Work Mode and Model Picker
Luca Voss covers emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and digital innovation. Passionate about the future of tech, he breaks down complex systems into engaging, easy-to-understand insights. His work explores how technology shapes industries, businesses, and everyday life.
