ChatGPT Experiences Widespread Outage Amidst Codex App Launch
On February 3, 2026, OpenAI’s ChatGPT encountered a significant global outage, leaving thousands of users unable to access the AI chatbot. The disruption began around 3:00 PM Eastern Time, with reports of issues surging rapidly. According to Down Detector, a platform that monitors service interruptions, user complaints escalated from a baseline of fewer than 20 to over 13,000 within a short span. ([aol.com](https://www.aol.com/articles/chatgpt-down-outage-reports-spike-213123956.html?utm_source=openai))
Scope and Impact of the Outage
The outage affected various functionalities of ChatGPT, including conversations, search capabilities, image generation via DALL-E, and the recently introduced Codex tools. Users reported encountering error messages such as Hmm… something seems to have gone wrong, indicating a widespread service disruption. ([dqindia.com](https://www.dqindia.com/news/chatgpt-outage-resolved-as-openai-stabilises-global-services-11074475?utm_source=openai))
OpenAI acknowledged the issue on its official status page, stating, We have identified the issue, applied the necessary mitigations, and are monitoring the recovery. The company worked diligently to resolve the problem, and by approximately 5:14 PM ET, services were reported to be back online. ([engadget.com](https://www.engadget.com/ai/chatgpt-is-down-for-many-users-this-afternoon-210238573.html?utm_source=openai))
Potential Causes: Codex App Launch and Increased Demand
The outage coincided with the recent launch of OpenAI’s Codex app for macOS on February 2, 2026. The Codex app is designed to serve as a command center for developers, enabling them to manage multiple AI agents simultaneously, run tasks in parallel, and collaborate on long-running projects. The app includes features such as built-in worktree support, skills, automations, and Git functionality. ([openai.com](https://openai.com/index/introducing-the-codex-app/?utm_source=openai))
The introduction of the Codex app was met with significant enthusiasm, leading to a surge in user adoption. OpenAI reported that the app achieved over 200,000 downloads on its first day. This unexpected spike in usage may have placed additional strain on OpenAI’s servers, potentially contributing to the service disruption experienced by ChatGPT users.
User Reactions and Broader Implications
The outage sparked a flurry of activity on social media platforms, with users expressing frustration over the unexpected downtime. Many individuals rely on ChatGPT for various tasks, including work-related activities, academic research, and casual inquiries. The disruption underscored the growing dependence on AI-driven tools and the challenges associated with maintaining their reliability amidst rapid user growth.
In addition to ChatGPT, other AI services experienced issues during the same period. Anthropic’s Claude, another AI chatbot, reported elevated error rates across all its models. The simultaneous disruptions highlight the complexities involved in scaling AI services to meet increasing demand. ([engadget.com](https://www.engadget.com/ai/chatgpt-is-down-for-many-users-this-afternoon-210238573.html?utm_source=openai))
OpenAI’s Response and Future Measures
OpenAI’s prompt acknowledgment and resolution of the outage were crucial in restoring user trust. The company has not provided specific details regarding the root cause of the disruption but has indicated that it is taking steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. This includes enhancing server capacity, optimizing load management, and improving monitoring systems to detect and address issues proactively.
The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in deploying and maintaining large-scale AI systems. As AI tools become increasingly integrated into daily life, ensuring their reliability and stability will be paramount. OpenAI’s experience highlights the importance of robust infrastructure and responsive support systems to manage the complexities of AI service delivery.
Conclusion
The recent ChatGPT outage, occurring shortly after the launch of the Codex app, underscores the delicate balance between innovation and service stability. While the rapid adoption of new AI tools reflects their value and potential, it also presents challenges in maintaining consistent and reliable service. OpenAI’s swift response to the outage demonstrates a commitment to addressing these challenges and ensuring that users can depend on their AI services for a wide range of applications.
As AI continues to evolve and permeate various aspects of society, incidents like this highlight the need for ongoing investment in infrastructure, user support, and system resilience to meet the growing demands of a global user base.
