I have a Custom GPTs, only accessible through a link, however I keep getting errors when saving them. Sometimes even uploading files (.txt) does not work. Prompt is <8k. All content is my own (actually all generated by LLMs) and does not provide legal or financial advise. Sometimes it saves it only to find out various files were not saved. Sometimes it says the files are in it’s knowledge base (when I ask it in a chat) but then it turns out they were not.
What could be wrong?
This issue often isn’t about prompt size, but more about platform hiccups. A few things that can help:
In some cases, it’s just a temporary platform problem, so waiting a bit and retrying can work.
Split large .txt files into smaller ones and save them as plain UTF-8.
Even if upload looks “successful,” sometimes the file never actually loads into the knowledge base — a quick test is to ask the GPT something very specific from that file.
Clear cache, this can sometimes resolve the save issue.
If it keeps happening, it could be a platform-side issue, so reporting it to support is the safest bet.
Same problem heren. Can’t upload picture for my costumed GPT .. Can someone help wit this issue. I get this notification: Error saving GPT - Internal Server Error
I already cleaned cashe, tried google chrome instead of Safari. Logged out..
My first GPT went well but the 2th & 3th doesn’t
Also I needed to link my LinkedIn to see my name as builder instead of “community builder”
Fix for “Error saving GPT - Internal Server Error” - Check for signed/encrypted PDFs
Sharing a solution that took me a while to figure out, hoping it saves others time.
The Problem:
GPT created around May 2025 suddenly wouldn’t save (Internal Server Error)
Reverting to previous version then saving - same error
Duplicate function did nothing (no copy created)
Same behaviour across multiple browsers
The Cause:
A PDF in the knowledge base contained an e-signature page (formal client document with DocuSign-style signature). The GPT was created and worked fine originally but OpenAI appears to have tightened their file validation since then.
The tricky part: the error about encrypted files only shows when you try to ADD a file - not when an existing problem file is already in the knowledge base. So there’s no obvious indication of what’s wrong.
The Fix:
Check for PDFs with digital signatures/e-sign pages, you’ll see an error like “can’t load file as it’s encrypted”
Remove the e-signature pages from the PDF and re-upload
Alternatively, “Print to PDF” to flatten any digital signatures
I created a new GPT and copied contents of old one to it until I noticed the errant file causing the issue. It would probably work by just replacing the old ‘bad’ PDF (containing e-signature) with the new ‘good’ one (no e-signature).
TL;DR: If your GPT suddenly won’t save and was created before mid-2025, check your knowledge base for signed/encrypted PDFs. Remove them, strip the signature pages, and re-upload.
I’m seeing the same “Error saving GPT – Internal Server Error” behavior, and it appears to be specifically tied to adding Knowledge files.
If I restore/revert to a previously working version, saving works normally.
But as soon as I attach any file in the Knowledge section (even a tiny text/MD file), clicking Save/Update fails with Internal Server Error.
This happens even when I rebuild the GPT from scratch and use the same files that were previously active/working.
Restored the last known good version → saved successfully
Rebuilt a new GPT from zero → adding the same files → error
Tried attaching different small files (to rule out file content/type) → error
Tested in a private/incognito window → still error
This is not a file size/count issue (I’m far below Knowledge limits).
The pattern matches reports where the save fails when Knowledge files are present.
If anyone has a reliable workaround (or if OpenAI staff can confirm an incident/regression affecting Knowledge uploads/saving), I’m happy to share additional details (browser/version + timestamps + network trace).
I’m having the same issue today.
Tried saving my GPT without any knowledge files it works fine. But adding any file (I tried a txt with one character) then the error happens and my Custom GPT won’t save.
I think it might be a server problem they’re having today. I don’t know.
I can confirm it’s not limited to Knowledge uploads in my case.
I restored a previously working version, and saving was fine until I tried to make changes. After that, the same “Error saving GPT – Internal Server Error” started happening even when I only edited the Instructions (no Knowledge file changes).
So for me, it looks like the bug can block any update (uploading Knowledge or just changing Instructions), which makes it feel more like a server-side save/publish issue than a file-specific problem.
I’m also experiencing the same issue as @GB_C “Error saving GPT – Internal Server Error”
Even if I try to only attach a single test.txt file with a single character in it.
I need to remove all Knowledge Files to Create or Update a GPT.
(this is blocking me from making a useful GPT that depends on Knowledge Files).
I can confirm this is happening to me as well since February 3rd. Everything was working fine before, but now I get the ‘Error saving GPT – Internal Server Error’ every time I try to make an update, with our without file uploaded.
Hello!
OpenAI Support here, we are aware of the issue and working on the resolution. It appears there is an occasional error with reindexing already uploaded knowledge files which blocks GPT update, even if the files are not touched.
The current workaround is removing the knowledge files, making an update and then uploading them again - this works and the GPT should be in a good state after that.
Hi Support,
Thanks for the update. I’ve tried the suggested workaround multiple times:
Unfortunately, the issue persists.
As soon as any Knowledge file is added (even a minimal TXT with 1–2 lines), I still get:
“Error saving GPT – Internal Server Error”.
This happens across:
• New GPTs and existing GPTs
• Multiple browsers
• Different file formats (TXT, MD, PDF)
• Different devices
So the workaround does not resolve the issue on my account.
Please let me know if this can be escalated, as this currently blocks all GPTs that rely on Knowledge files.
Thanks!
I’ve tried the workaround too, but it doesn’t resolve the issue for me.
With one Knowledge file it initially worked, but as soon as multiple files were added it failed again. After removing all files, even saving with a single file no longer works.
At this point, any Knowledge file triggers the internal server error, which blocks all GPTs on my account.
We need a solution very soon!
Same thing here, I tried the workaround but it does not work
Same thing, we need a solution ASAP
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I’m getting an “Error saving GPT – Internal Server Error” when uploading knowledge base files and then clicking “Update”.
Yeah, apparently we all do. We need a fix soon from Open AI
Just retried the workaround and it didn’t work. Also I tried creating a new GPT to see if it would work, turns out it didn’t too.
Yes, the same problem. Tried all files, browsers, different gpts, building from scratch - not working.
I have the same situation. I followed up all the steps, and still nothing happens. Do you know approximately how long it takes to be solved? At least call it a day and wait for the solution from home.