ChatGPT Custom GPT Cannot Access Uploaded Files (GetDownloadLinkError)

Description:
I have a Custom GPT where I uploaded my project files to its knowledge base. For the first couple of days, file access worked correctly, but on the third day, ChatGPT stopped being able to access any files.

  • The issue persists across both the web and desktop app.
  • The error message I receive is GetDownloadLinkError, and the GPT states it cannot retrieve any uploaded files.
  • Re-uploading does not help—files upload successfully, but ChatGPT cannot access them.
  • This issue has been reported before (early 2024), and it seemed fixed at some point, but it has now returned.

Steps to Reproduce:

  1. Upload files to the Custom GPT knowledge base.
  2. Verify that ChatGPT can access them (works fine at first).
  3. Wait a couple of days—eventually, ChatGPT stops being able to retrieve any files.
  4. Error message: GetDownloadLinkError (on both web and desktop app).

Impact:
This makes file-based debugging completely unusable for my Custom GPT.

Attachments:

I’m having this problem as well but it happens in a matter of hours. Not just with uploaded files, but it completely loses the ability to produce downloadable files as well. Once that threshold is crossed, even if you upload the file(s) again, it will only hold them for a matter of minutes before it can’t access them anymore.

This is a debilitating issue….

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