How to Fix Request Timed Out Error on ChatGPT

Do you encounter a ‘request timed out’ error on ChatGPT?

ChatGPT continues to be a hot topic online. This amazing AI-powered chatbot changed how everyone creates content and process data. 

While ChatGPT is still in its early stages, it receives millions of users every day and the servers can get overwhelmed. When this happens, you’ll start to encounter various issues like network errors, request time outs, and more. 

Most of the time, the servers are the reason for the request timed out error on ChatGPT. However, it can also be due to slow network connections and improper configurations. 

If you are here, we can assume that you are experiencing the same issue. 

To help you out, we have decided to make a guide on how to fix the ‘request timed out’ error on ChatGPT. 

Let’s jump right in!

1. Restart Your Browser. 

Whenever you encounter issues with ChatGPT, the first thing you should do is relaunch your browser. A temporary bug or glitch may have occurred on your browser during use, causing some sites to malfunction. 

Simply close all the tabs on your browser and relaunch the browser afterward. Try accessing ChatGPT to check if the problem is solved. 

You can also try using other browsers to access ChatGPT to see if the same issue occurs. 

2. Check ChatGPT Status. 

Since ChatGPT is an online platform, it relies on its servers to connect with users and deliver services. If you encounter a request timed out error while asking questions on ChatGPT, there might be an issue with the servers.

To confirm this, you can visit ChatGPT’s dedicated status page to check the status of its services. 

ChatGPT Status

Unfortunately, server-related errors can’t be resolved on your end. 

If the servers are down, the best thing you can do is wait. On the other hand, you can head to the next solution if there’s nothing wrong with the servers. 

3. Restart Your Computer. 

You can also try restarting your computer if you encounter issues using ChatGPT. This should reload your network resources and eliminate temporary errors that may have occurred during runtime. 

Follow the steps below to restart your computer: 

  1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Start Menu
  2. After that, click on the Power Options tab. 
  3. Finally, choose Restart and wait for your system to reboot. 
Restart PC

Once done, go back to ChatGPT to check if the problem is solved. 

4. Avoid Requesting Long Responses. 

Being a hot topic online, ChatGPT can encounter stability issues if many people are on the platform at the same time. To avoid issues, try to avoid requesting long responses from the chatbot. 

You can try limiting your query to 3-4 results by indicating it on the chat. You can also use follow-up questions instead of asking one big query at once. 

5. Check Your Network Connection. 

A slow or unstable internet connection could also cause the request timed out error. Since it’s an online service, you’ll need a decent connection to use its features without encountering problems. 

To check if your network is the problem, run a test using Fast.com to measure its current upload and download bandwidth. 

fast.com

If the result indicates a problem with your network, power cycle your modem or router to re-establish the link with your ISP’s servers. Disconnect your router from the outlet and wait for at least five seconds before plugging it back in. 

Restart Router

Once done, perform another test to check if the problem is solved. If not, contact your provider and ask them to fix their service. 

6. Clear Browsing Data. 

The request timed out error on ChatGPT can be due to corrupted caches and cookies on your storage. To rule this out, we suggest clearing your browsing data to ensure there’s nothing wrong with your resources.

Here’s how you can clear your data: 

  1. First, open your browser and access Settings
  2. After that, scroll down to Privacy and Security. Click on Clear Browsing Data
  3. On the next page, change the Time Range to All Time and check all the boxes. 
  4. Hit Clear Data afterward and wait for the process to complete. 
request timed out error on chatgpt

Re-login to your account afterward and see if you’ll still encounter errors while asking questions. 

7. Turn Off VPN. 

Virtual private networks are third-party services that protect your network and data from hackers, websites, and other harmful entities online. They work by filtering your activity through their servers and masking your IP address. 

However, this process can cause stability issues to your network, explaining why you encounter a request timed out error on ChatGPT.

To avoid problems, we recommend turning off your VPN before using the chatbot. 

request timed out error on chatgpt

On the other hand, you can also try using other VPNs like PureVPN if you prefer having protection while online. Unlike other VPNs, it works with most websites and keeps your connection fast and reliable. 

PureVPN also works with streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max. 

8. Wait It Out. 

As mentioned, ChatGPT is still in its early stages and not that stable yet. If you encounter issues with the chatbot, there’s a good chance that the developers are tweaking something and the problem should be resolved in a few hours. 

Try checking in again on the website after 2 to 3 hours to see if the same issue would occur on your end.

9. Disable Browser Extensions. 

Browser extensions are third-party services that provide extra features to the websites you visit. However, not all browser extensions are optimized and could get in the way of some websites. 

If you encounter issues using ChatGPT, try disabling your extensions. See the steps below to guide you through the process: 

  1. Launch your browser and access the settings. 
  2. Next, click on the Extensions tab from the side menu. 
  3. Finally, turn off all your extensions and restart your browser. 
Browser Extensions

Try using ChatGPT and see if the error message would still occur.

10. Contact OpenAI.  

If none of the solutions above worked, the last thing you can do is report the issue to ChatGPT’s team. 

Head to OpenAI’s support page and talk with a representative to ask for assistance regarding the issue you’ve been experiencing. When asking for help, make sure to provide important details like the browser you’re using and your region. 

request timed out error on chatgpt

You can also browse the other guides on their page and see if you can find solutions not mentioned above. 

That ends our guide for fixing the ‘request timed out’ error on ChatGPT. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below, and we’ll do our best to respond. 

If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂

Author

  • John Sixto

    John is a staff writer at Saint and comes from a SAP ABAP development background. He has a Bachelors in IT and has been writing since 2018, with over 500 posts published. He loves to build PCs and has a deep curiosity in understanding how different components and configurations work. John spends hundreds of hours at a time, researching and testing the software and apps, before he proceeds to write about it. LinkedIn X (Twitter) Website

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