OpenAI has confirmed that ChatGPT users are experiencing login and signup failures due to authentication key errors. The outage, first reported around 5pm PT / 8pm ET, is currently under investigation by the company.
TL;DR
- OpenAI confirms ChatGPT login and signup failures due to authentication key errors.
- Outage reported around 5pm PT / 8pm ET, with users experiencing issues on both the website and Down Detector.
- OpenAI is working on a mitigation, but the extent and duration of the outage remain unclear.
What happened
OpenAI confirmed that ChatGPT users are experiencing login and signup failures due to authentication key errors. The outage was first reported around 5pm PT / 8pm ET, with users taking to Down Detector to report issues.
According to OpenAI's status page, the company has identified the login issues and is working on implementing a mitigation. However, the extent and duration of the outage remain unclear.
While logins and signups are down, OpenAI confirmed that ChatGPT's APIs and Codex are still up and running. The company has not yet provided an estimated time for resolution.
Why it matters
For developers and startups relying on ChatGPT's APIs, this outage serves as a reminder of the importance of building resilient systems and having contingency plans in place.
For investors, this outage highlights the operational risks associated with AI startups and the importance of due diligence when evaluating potential investments.
From a competitive standpoint, this outage could provide an opportunity for rival AI startups to poach users and gain market share, particularly if the outage persists or becomes a recurring issue.
Key facts
- OpenAI confirmed login and signup failures on ChatGPT due to authentication key errors.
- Outage first reported around 5pm PT / 8pm ET, with users reporting issues on Down Detector.
- OpenAI is working on a mitigation, but the extent and duration of the outage remain unclear.
- ChatGPT's APIs and Codex are still up and running, according to OpenAI.
- OpenAI has not yet provided an estimated time for resolution.
- This is the first major outage reported for ChatGPT in 2026.
Context
ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is one of the most popular and widely used AI apps, with millions of users worldwide. The app has gained significant traction in recent years, thanks to its advanced natural language processing capabilities and user-friendly interface.
Outages like this one are not uncommon in the tech industry, particularly for startups and scale-ups. However, they can have significant implications for users, developers, and investors alike.
As the AI industry continues to grow and evolve, the importance of building resilient systems and having contingency plans in place will only continue to increase. This outage serves as a reminder of the operational risks associated with AI startups and the importance of due diligence when evaluating potential investments.
