I’m trying to use Agent Mode with all the connector, but the agent never initializes.
Reproduction steps
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Start Agent Mode
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Agent shows “Setting up desktop”
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It stays stuck there indefinitely
Environment
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Browser: tested multiple (Chrome, Edge)
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Devices: multiple computers
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Networks: different locations
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Cache cleared
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Also tested with new ChatGPT and multiple gmail, canva, github accounts
GitHub setup
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Installed ChatGPT Codex Connector
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Repo: github. com/zendophi/ibkrbot
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Permissions: All repositories
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Repo is indexed (test string ibkrbot-index-test-947362 in README)
Result
Agent desktop never initializes, so GitHub integration cannot be used.
Expected
Agent desktop should start and allow repository access.
Has anyone seen this issue or found a workaround?
Hi Jonas, same issue here (Brazil) for ~1 week: Agent Mode gets stuck on “Setting up desktop” and never initializes.
What I’ve already tried (no success):
- Web + mobile
- Multiple browsers (Chrome/Edge) + incognito
- Multiple devices
- Different networks/locations
- New chats, log out/in, cleared cache
- Waited several minutes (and repeated on different days)
So it doesn’t look like a local/browser/network issue. It feels like an account/workspace provisioning problem on the backend (UI shows Agent, but the desktop workspace never starts).
Suggested next step (this is what I’m doing):
- Go to https://help.openai.com
- Click the chat bubble (Support)
- Report a bug: “Agent Mode stuck on Setting up desktop”
- Include: account plan (Plus/Team), how long it’s happening, that it happens on multiple devices/networks, and ask them to reset/reprovision the Agent workspace for the account.
- Attach a screenshot of the stuck screen if possible.
I tried using agent mode with multiple apps, but nothing works. It only worked once about three months ago, then it stopped and has not worked since. I have tried from five different countries over the past eight months and the issue remains the same.
I also asked ChatGPT whether I would receive a refund if I subscribed to the $200 plan, but OpenAI states that they have a strict no-refund policy. This is not clearly advertised, especially in situations where the service does not function. In my case, the agent service and connectors have only worked once in eight months.
It does not matter which apps or services I connect, the same issue occurs every time. I have already provided HAR files, console logs, and screenshots, but support has been unable to fix or resolve the problem. The AI support chat simply repeats the same suggestions, such as disconnecting services, switching Wi-Fi networks, using a phone hotspot, or trying incognito mode. None of these solutions have worked.
The same problem is happening with me.
I tried multiple devices, OS’s, browsers, networks, incognito mode, mobile, and OpenAI hasn’t even responded to my report. Thinking of switching to Anthropic…
I reported that none of OpenAI’s connectors are working and requested a refund. They responded that refunds are not provided and offered no support to resolve the issue. It appears OpenAI has no plans to address this, leaving switching to another AI model, like Antropia—which currently offers free support—as the only option.
BRAKING: I received an update from OpenAI stating that they cannot resolve this issue and do not know why multiple users are affected. They also indicated they will not report it as a bug or take it further, suggesting they have no intention of addressing the problem.
I am having the same problem with the web version.
I select the agent and it gets stuck on “configuring my desktop.”
It never moves past that point. It doesn’t matter if I try from another network, another PC, or a different location — the same error always occurs and it never progresses.
Paradoxically, it still deducts from my available Agent mode balance even though it never starts.
I cant even connect apps with ChaGPT, nothing works.
Hello All
Same here, cannot use Agent Mode.
Tried different things with no success, mutliple browsers, different network/locations,….. and as mentioned here, it still deducts from the available Agent Mode balance, but never starts.
Contacted Support they asked me to send HAR, Video, I sent everything, they said they were going to escalate to a specialist Support Engineering team and they will get back to me. 5 days has passed and nothing so far.
Our organization was prepared to enter into a USD 2.5 million agreement with OpenAI to support our engineering teams. However, the inability to obtain clear resolution on this issue, combined with the lack of meaningful commercial protection, has raised serious concerns. We communicated that, at this level of investment, we required confidence that the feature would function as needed or, failing that, some form of refund or risk-sharing mechanism. OpenAI’s position was that no money-back guarantee would be available once the purchase was made. Given that response, we are now seriously evaluating alternatives such as Claude, whose team has demonstrated stronger customer responsiveness, greater flexibility, and a more solutions-oriented approach.
Same here, I just upgraded my subscription to PLUS and Agent Mode is not working at all, but its “consuming” my monthly quota.
I requested support with open ai but they havent answer.
Agent Mode is stuck in “Setting my desktop”, and it stays there forever. I testes 2 different laptops and 4 different browsers, same issue.
I hope Open AI fix it.
I would strongly advise against raising expectations. I experienced this same issue for several months and received no meaningful response. Based on that experience, the only practical option may be to move to another provider and ask ChatGPT for alternative recommendations.
Has anyone tried with a USA or EU vpn to see if it agent mode works there?