ChatGPT Service Disruptions: OpenAI Reports Elevated Error Rates
BERLIN, 3 February 2026 – OpenAI has confirmed that ChatGPT is currently experiencing technical difficulties, with users worldwide reporting elevated error rates and issues with subscription renewals. The disruption, which began in the early hours of Tuesday, has affected both the web interface and API access for various user segments.
Current Status and Technical Issues
According to official status monitoring, OpenAI identified an incident at 00:02 UTC involving “elevated error rates” for ChatGPT users. While the platform remains partially accessible for some, many are encountering “Compaction issues” and significantly reduced throughput. In Germany and across Europe, users have reported “unworkably slow” token generation, with some sessions dropping to as low as 4 tokens per second (TPS) during peak load times.
Furthermore, a specific incident regarding subscription renewals has been identified. OpenAI technicians stated they have applied a mitigation strategy and are currently monitoring the recovery phase. Users attempting to upgrade to “Pro” or “Thinking” tiers may still face intermittent failures until the fix is fully propagated across the global network.
Key Incident Data: 3 February 2026
| Category | Current Status / Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Issue | Elevated Error Rates & Subscription Failures |
| Start Time | 00:02 UTC |
| Affected Services | ChatGPT Web, API, Subscription Management |
| Infrastructure Note | Cloudflare maintenance in Prague (01:00–06:00 UTC) may affect Central European routing. |
Context of Model Transitions
The current instability comes at a critical time for the AI provider. OpenAI recently announced the scheduled retirement of several legacy models, including GPT-4o and GPT-4.1, set for 13 February 2026. The transition to newer “Instant” and “Extended Thinking” models has led to increased server strain. Technical analysts suggest that the current “stuck states” reported by users may be linked to the backend preparations for these model deprecations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ChatGPT down globally?
The service is not experiencing a total global blackout, but it is in a state of “Partial Outage.” Users may experience high latency, failed login attempts, or an inability to process subscription payments.
What should I do if my ChatGPT session is stuck?
OpenAI recommends refreshing the browser or clearing the cache. If using the API or Codex features, developers should check if the thread is waiting for approval or run a basic terminal command to verify connectivity.
Are other AI platforms affected?
As of 07:28 UTC, Anthropic (Claude) reported that its previous system delays have been resolved, and services are currently operational. The current issues appear to be isolated to the OpenAI infrastructure.