OpenAI has addressed periodic outages as described in the company’s latest incident report, which reflected an unusual traffic pattern due to a DDoS attack this morning.
Screenshot from OpenAI, November 2023
OpenAI implemented a solution to the incident yesterday and monitored regular outages.
FYI: We are dealing with regular outages due to an unusual traffic pattern resulting from a DDoS attack. We continue to work to mitigate this.
Follow us: https://t.co/0jqsOtchMQ
The team is currently working very hard on stabilization!
– Logan.GPT (@OfficialLoganK) November 9, 2023
ChatGPT and API outages related to DDoS attack on OpenAI
The DDoS attack was reportedly claimed by Anonymous Sudan.
OpenAI is currently experiencing (its first?) major outage. Anonymous Sudanese hackers claim they are. They started posting about their DDoS attack when the servers went down. It fell through for me in the UK. pic.twitter.com/gr1GwbruJf
– Joe Tidy (@joetidy) November 8, 2023
The group posted several updates on their Telegram channel, celebrating with screenshots of various error messages from ChatGPT and outlining their reasons for the attack.
Screenshot from Telegram, November 2023
The issues were originally related to the new features released on the OpenAI platform on DevDay recently.
Devday’s use of our new features far exceeds our expectations.
We had planned to have GPTs up and running for all subscribers on Monday, but we still couldn’t. we hope that it will work soon.
In the short term, service instability is likely to occur due to workload. Excuse :/
– Sam Altman (@sama) November 8, 2023
Coincidentally, the incident was resolved shortly after this update to custom GPTs.
GPTs are now available to all ChatGPT+ subscribers!
– Sam Altman (@sama) November 9, 2023
ChatGPT error messages
Due to the periodic outages, ChatGPT users received various error messages about high demand and faulty gateways throughout the day.
Screenshot from ChatGPT, November 2023
Some bugs prevented logged out users from logging in.
Screenshot from ChatGPT, November 2023
Others simply blocked users from accessing ChatGPT.
Screenshot from ChatGPT, November 2023
Users trying to create the new custom GPTs have also encountered various error messages.
Screenshot from ChatGPT, November 2023
External sources confirm failures
Downdetector shows multiple reports of outages on ChatGPT’s website and app in the last 24 hours.
Screenshot from DownDetector, November 2023
Checkhost has identified OpenAI outages worldwide.
Screenshot from Check Host, November 2023
Second failure on November 8th
Previously, at 5:42 a.m. PST, ChatGPT and the API experienced a major outage.
Screenshot from OpenAI, November 2023
First failure on November 7th
The problems began the night before, on November 7, when there were partial outages.
Screenshot from OpenAI, November 2023
OpenAI’s engineering team responded immediately and implemented a number of fixes to address the issues.
OpenAI maintains 99% uptime
This incident represents a rare disruption to OpenAI’s normally reliable services.
Screenshot from OpenAI, November 2023
The OpenAI engineering team’s rapid response typically minimizes the duration of such outages, but the event highlights the complexity associated with maintaining large-scale AI services.
Addressing this and future outages will be particularly relevant for those who rely heavily on robust AI tools for content creation, data analysis, and automated customer service.
The robustness of these systems is crucial for the smooth implementation of marketing strategies and online engagement.
For those who rely on AI-driven tools, the OpenAI outages are a reminder of the importance of contingency plans for unexpected downtime.
The disadvantage of ChatGPT alternatives
Fortunately, if ChatGPT goes down, users have other options to choose from.
However, when ChatGPT users navigated to alternatives like Google Bard, they discovered that there were problems.
Bard had some problems earlier… apologies to those who had trouble putting their ideas into action… it’s all clear now.
— Jack Krawczyk (@JackK) November 8, 2023
Claude.ai users also reported downtime today.
– ChatGPT shut down.
– Claude Downs.Who’s next? pic.twitter.com/oKWt3sux1c
– DataChazGPT 🤯 (not a bot) (@DataChaz) November 8, 2023
Featured image: Vitor Miranda/Shutterstock