ChatGPT Outage: What Happened and How It Was Fixed

On December 26, 2024, a major ChatGPT outage caused the popular AI chatbot made by OpenAI to go offline for several hours. Many users couldn’t access the service during this time, sparking frustration and concern. This incident showed how much we now rely on AI tools like ChatGPT and the challenges of keeping them running smoothly all the time.

What Happened During the ChatGPT Outage?

The ChatGPT outage started around 1:30 PM Eastern Time on December 26, 2024. People trying to use the AI chatbot reported “internal server error” messages. Other OpenAI services, like the API and the text-to-video tool Sora, were also affected. The issue was caused by a power problem at a Microsoft data center, which supports OpenAI’s operations. This outage even impacted other Microsoft services in North America, such as Xbox cloud gaming.

How Did OpenAI Respond?

OpenAI quickly updated users through its status page. By 5 PM ET, Microsoft said the power issue was fixed. Soon after, Sora and the APIs started working again. It took a bit longer to fully restore ChatGPT, showing how complicated these systems can be.

Who Was Affected?

This outage didn’t just bother casual users. It also impacted businesses and developers who rely on OpenAI’s tools for their work. Similar issues have happened before, raising concerns about whether AI platforms can handle their fast growth.

How to Stay Informed During Outages

If ChatGPT or other AI tools stop working, you can check OpenAI’s status page or use platforms like Downdetector to see updates. These tools can help you figure out when services might be back and what to do in the meantime.

Why This Matters

AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming part of everyday life. So, it’s important that they work reliably. OpenAI responded quickly to this outage and kept users updated, but this situation shows the need for stronger systems to avoid such problems in the future.

Final Thoughts

The December 26 ChatGPT outage reminds us that while AI tools are powerful, they’re not perfect. OpenAI and its partners are working to make these tools more reliable. Until then, staying informed through official channels is the best way to deal with such problems.

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