caas.internal.errors.ClientError — Python/container + uploaded files intermittently unavailable for 4+ days

ChatGPT Bugs
21

I’m experiencing the same issue on ChatGPT Plus using GPT-5.6 Sol with High reasoning.

My main workflow involves ZIP archives containing web projects with hundreds of PHP, HTML, CSS and JavaScript files.

The recurring error is:

Encountered exception: <class 'caas.internal.errors.ClientError'>

In affected conversations, even trivial Python checks such as:

os.path.exists('/mnt/data/private.zip')

and

glob.glob('/mnt/data/*')

can fail before returning any output.

The issue is intermittent. The same type of ZIP can work correctly in one conversation/runtime and fail in another. I have also seen generated ZIP files successfully created but temporarily unavailable for download.

I have already escalated my case through OpenAI Support.

Today I confirmed again that one previously uploaded ZIP could be opened successfully in a working conversation: the archive integrity was OK, it contained 990 entries, and files could be extracted from it. This makes it unlikely that archive corruption is the cause.

The problem is severely impacting my professional workflow because once an affected long-running conversation loses access to the execution environment, continuing the project becomes unreliable.

I’m adding my case here because it appears to match the same CAAS/runtime failure pattern being investigated.

22

Have to put my 2 cents in, same error caas.internal.errors.ClientError.

Behooves understanding that this issue has been around for so long without a fix. Paid clients and really doesn’t appear to be any effort by ChatGPT officials to resolve the issue. My Research has basically stopped in its tracks for a week, anything other than the most basic of conversations locks the Chat up and locks the Work mode up. Its not archive corruption, I have built 4 Chat sessions and 3 Works sessions in a row , verified the data and as soon as you start doing even the most basic real task both die.

23

Jus a quick follow up on this, I bit the bullet and decided to run this in the downloaded app for windows. After I installed and logged in, it asked if I wanted to update to V6 from the included 5.5. I clicked no. Now this is where it gets interesting. I have run all the old test runs that where continually stopping and generating errors etc. an it hasn’t stopped once. I’m thinking the problem is V6, and downloading the app is all it takes to make it work. - the downside is V5.5 is being retired on the 15 Oct. My suggestion is use the app and v5.5. Maybe the developers will notice when no one is using V6. Spread the word.

24

The caas.internal.errors.ClientError problem is still happening.

In this case, ChatGPT was able to make a project ZIP file available in the working environment, but immediately afterwards Python execution failed again with:

Encountered exception: <class 'caas.internal.errors.ClientError'>

A separate user-visible Python execution attempt also failed with the same error, even for a trivial operation.

This makes the issue especially frustrating because the workflow can work normally for a while — creating files, modifying them and generating ZIP archives — and then the execution environment suddenly becomes unusable.

Starting a new conversation should not be necessary just to recover basic file and Python functionality.

This is a serious problem for anyone using ChatGPT for real development work, because once it happens the conversation may become effectively useless for continuing the project.

Environment:

  • ChatGPT Plus
  • Web
  • Windows 11
  • GPT-5.6 Sol
  • October 2, 2026
25

ChatGPT itself told me a way around it that helps in some Cases

So we’re back in a good state. The workflow I’ll use from here is:

  1. Normal path: files__materialize → container.exec.
  2. If container.exec suffers the same service-level ClientError, use the healthy Jupyter backend only as a launcher for native shell utilities (unzip, grep, awk, sed, etc.), not Python ZIP parsing.
  3. Stream large archive members directly to disk rather than loading them into memory.
  4. Once extracted, return to container.exec as soon as it is available.

when it doesnt work just wait 10min and tell him to retry, after some Time it works again for some Time

26

hello,have you solved the problem?

27

hello,have you solved the problem?

28

Hi @AITyro, this is still open with engineering. A longer file-transfer timeout is a possible mitigation, but it needs validation on affected workflows before we recommend it.

29

I’m experiencing exactly the same caas.internal.errors.ClientError issue, and it has become extremely frustrating.

I’ve been unable to reliably use ChatGPT’s Python and container tools for several days (October 10–13, 2026).

Even the simplest commands, such as print("HELLO"), fail with ClientError before execution. Sometimes the environment works temporarily, then fails again.

I’m a paying ChatGPT user, and at least three GPT-6 Pro work sessions have been disrupted. My long-running software research project has effectively been brought to a halt.

I’ve already contacted OpenAI Support, provided error timestamps and diagnostic information, and requested escalation to a human support specialist.

This does not appear to be limited to large files or complicated Python scripts. The execution environment itself repeatedly fails.

Can OpenAI confirm whether this is a known infrastructure issue, provide an update on the engineering investigation, and clarify whether there is an estimated fix date?

I’d also like to know how affected paying users can request compensation or a review of disrupted Pro usage.

We need a permanent solution, not repeated troubleshooting instructions.

30

I am also a paying user (Pro 200) currently experiencing the caas.internal.errors.ClientError issue. This is ridiculous, and is completely stopping my workflow as well. The fact that OpenAI has said nothing about this on the status page currently is also wild. It’s been multiple days of this happening off and on, on top of various other issues involving Work and other stuff. It’s getting to a point where I can’t reliably use ChatGPT for anything that’s even remotely important.

31

Update — October 16, 2026: CAAS ClientError Still Unresolved After Hundreds of Failures

I am updating this existing report because the problem has continued and has now become a serious reliability issue for my professional workflow.

I first reported this issue in early September. Since late August, CAAS failures have become dramatically more frequent. I have now encountered this problem hundreds of times, and I am still unable to rely on ChatGPT’s Python/container environment for sustained technical work.

The core problem remains unresolved:

- “caas.internal.errors.ClientError” repeatedly interrupts Python execution, container commands, and file processing.

- Uploaded ZIP/CSV files and source files may be available in the conversation, but the execution environment intermittently fails to access or process them.

- Retrying, switching conversations, and testing alternative workflows have not provided a reliable, lasting solution.

- The problem is not merely an occasional inconvenience anymore. It repeatedly interrupts work that requires large datasets, programmatic analysis, file processing, and source-code modifications.

My work involves complex algorithmic trading systems, extensive setup analysis, large datasets, and EA source-code development. These workflows require consistent execution, reliable file access, and the ability to complete and verify multi-step operations.

At the current failure rate, serious technical work is becoming almost impossible to complete reliably in ChatGPT.

I have already documented extensive troubleshooting and diagnostic evidence in this thread, including cross-session testing and the fact that the same failures can occur even when the requested operation is trivial. Repeating basic troubleshooting steps is not an adequate response after this many failures.

I appreciate the previous acknowledgement that attachment transfers can time out before code execution begins. However, acknowledging one failure pattern is not the same as confirming that the recurring problem has been resolved.

What I am requesting

1. A concrete update on the status of the ongoing engineering investigation.

2. Confirmation of whether the recurring CAAS failures are being actively investigated and whether a fix is available or planned.

3. Investigation into why execution remains unreliable across repeated sessions and why the issue can recur after temporary recovery.

4. A meaningful update for affected users instead of requiring them to repeatedly report the same unresolved failure.

I have been using ChatGPT for serious, ongoing technical work, and this level of execution reliability is no longer sufficient for that purpose.

Please do not treat this as an isolated transient error. The frequency, duration, and cumulative impact of these failures make this an ongoing production-blocking issue.

I would appreciate a substantive response from the team responsible for the execution environment, including the current investigation status and the next steps toward a lasting resolution.

32

@OpenAI_Support

I am following up on my earlier report. My official OpenAI Support case is #17098751.

The caas.internal.errors.ClientError issue has prevented me from reliably using Python, container execution, and file processing for approximately one week.

OpenAI Support previously confirmed a server-side file-transfer timeout in my case. I have since sent two detailed follow-up emails without receiving a response.

Could you please link my case to the ongoing engineering investigation, confirm that it has a human technical owner, and provide an update or a validated workaround?

My priority is restoring reliable service. Thank you.

33

@OpenAI_Support — This is no longer a minor technical inconvenience. It is a serious service failure.

For approximately one week, I have been unable to use essential features of the paid ChatGPT service. Python, container execution, and file processing repeatedly fail with caas.internal.errors.ClientError. Even the simplest commands fail.

My nine-month software and data research project has been brought to a halt. I have lost an entire week of productive work. My ongoing tasks remain unfinished.

OpenAI Support has already confirmed a server-side file-transfer failure. I have sent two detailed follow-up emails regarding Case #17098751, yet I still have no substantive response, no confirmed engineering owner, and no resolution timeline.

How is this acceptable?

Acknowledging that a problem exists is not enough. Why are affected paying users being left without a fix, a verified workaround, or even a meaningful technical status update?

I expect direct answers:

  1. Has my case actually been assigned to a human technical specialist and engineering team?

  2. What concrete engineering action is being taken?

  3. When will I receive a substantive resolution or technical status update?

  4. How will the prolonged loss of paid service be addressed?

I am not asking for a refund. I am asking for the service I pay for to actually work. I also expect consideration of a subscription extension for the time lost.

I do not need more automated responses, generic troubleshooting advice, or indefinite waiting.

I need a responsible human specialist, clear accountability, and a concrete path to resolution.

34

I have the same issue since yesterday. It’s only working in Work mode…