Literal backtick formats text after it as code

ChatGPT Bugs
1

Environment

  • Surface: Web
  • Browser or app version: Firefox 155.0.1 (64-bit)

Bug

After I submit my prompt, the backtick (`) in my prompt disappears and the text after it gets formatted as code.

I expected to see my message in the chat history with a literal backtick and the text after it unformatted.

Reproduction

Submit this prompt:

Do you see the literal backtick ` that I just entered?

It appears like this in the chat history:

Do you see the literal backtick that I just entered?

But ChatGPT answers yes.

Troubleshooting

I tried to escape the backtick with a backslash, but that didn’t work.

Diagnostics

When it happened: 2026-09-14T12:10:28Z

2

This is not a new problem. It has been resolved from time to time but then reappears.

The key point to be aware of is that you are getting the AI to recognize it as a backtick but as you note it is formatting incorrectly when displayed.

If that is your only problem, do not focus on the backtick formatting as the problem may go away then reappear.

If you really want to look further into this then take a look at the Codex issues, both open and closed, as you will find a history of this and other such formatting issues.

3

Thanks for sharing the example, @ma11hew28. The backtick stayed visible when I tested it.

Are you still seeing the formatting change after sending? If so, please try the same prompt in a private window or another browser and share whether it happens there too, along with the browser name and version tested.

~ Ziad