Sidebar menu "..." missing on PC (desktop & Chrome) / No response from support for 24+ hours

ChatGPT
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1

Hi, I’m a ChatGPT Plus user and I’m facing a persistent UI issue.

The sidebar menu (ellipsis “…”) is missing on both the desktop app and Chrome browser on my Windows PC. I cannot access key settings and features because of this.

I already contacted support and received responses from an agent named Caj, but those were template replies, and I have now been waiting more than 24 hours with no response, despite sending multiple follow-ups and screenshots.

I also sent a formal escalation request to support@openai.com, but still no reply. In addition, the Help Center’s live chat did not function properly in Chrome, and I had to use Edge and other workarounds to access support tools.

This issue is affecting my workflow as a researcher, and I urgently need a proper resolution.

Please escalate this case to a new support agent and let me know how this can be fixed.

Thank you.

2

Did you clear cache and all that jazz?

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3

Just an update:

I cleared cache and cookies as advised (using Chrome’s full deletion options), and restarted both Chrome and the desktop app. Unfortunately, the sidebar menu (“…”) still does not appear on either platform.

So far, the issue only affects the PC versions — it still works fine on iPad/iPhone. This makes me suspect some kind of persistent UI state corruption tied to my account.

Would appreciate further input if anyone else has experienced this.

Thank you.

4

Just to follow up — I’ve now fully cleared the browser cache and site data (including cookies), using Chrome’s advanced settings. I also restarted both Chrome and the desktop app after that.

In addition to clearing the cache, I’ve already tried other standard troubleshooting steps, such as:

  • Adjusting window size and zoom level
  • Reinstalling the desktop app
  • Disabling all Chrome extensions
  • Setting Windows display scaling to 100%
  • Using different browsers
  • Logging in via incognito mode and even with a VPN

Unfortunately, none of these worked. The sidebar menu (with the “…” or ≡) is still missing on PC — both in the desktop app and Chrome. On iPad/iPhone, the menu appears correctly, which suggests the issue might be tied to some persistent UI state or layout conflict specific to the desktop environment or even my account.

If anyone has experienced similar issues or found a workaround, I’d really appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks again for your time and help!

5

Just a quick update — it’s been over 24 hours now since my last escalation email to support, but I still haven’t received any response.

The issue with the missing sidebar menu on both desktop app and Chrome remains unresolved.

If anyone has ideas, or if a moderator is reading this, I’d greatly appreciate any input or escalation.

Thanks again.

6

Update (March 26):

The issue has worsened on the desktop app. Now:

  • The sidebar menu (“…”) is still missing.
  • The profile icon in the top-right is gone and unresponsive.
  • Clicking “ChatGPT ▾” has no effect.
  • The app displays “Temporary” in the corner — possibly indicating a session issue.

Here is a screenshot showing the current desktop app interface:
[Upload desktop.png here]

A screenshot of the ChatGPT interface showing the query input section, with a "What can I help with?" prompt and icons at the bottom taskbar. (Captioned by AI)
A screenshot of the ChatGPT interface showing the query input section, with a "What can I help with?" prompt and icons at the bottom taskbar. (Captioned by AI)1912×1196 131 KB

7

To add further detail — the issue still persists on Chrome as well.

The sidebar menu is missing, and while the rest of the UI loads, I’m unable to access any settings.

The screenshot shows the ChatGPT interface in Japanese, displaying a prompt for user input with options to choose different modes like "Deep Research." (Captioned by AI)
The screenshot shows the ChatGPT interface in Japanese, displaying a prompt for user input with options to choose different modes like "Deep Research." (Captioned by AI)1915×1183 223 KB

Here is a screenshot from Chrome:

8

Small update (March 26 evening):

In the desktop app, the profile icon in the top right has started working again — I can now access the settings menu from there.

However, the “…” (ellipsis) menu at the bottom-left of the sidebar is still not showing.
Still hoping for a full resolution.

Thanks again to everyone following or sharing similar issues.

9

I see a side bar. The gray edge on the left that is scrollable.

The temporary is like an incognito chat.

Try clicking the blue circle next to that. Its where I find my settings though I have a different icon.

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10

Thank you for the suggestion!
I checked again, and it seems the profile icon now lets me access the full settings panel (including subscription, themes, etc.).
So maybe the ellipsis menu (“…”) was replaced by this new UI layout.
If others have seen similar UI differences or changes, I’d be very interested to hear what you’re experiencing too!

Appreciate your help!