Windows desktop app stuck on “Thinking” while mobile chat worked

ChatGPT Bugs
1

Platform: Windows desktop app (version 26.814.5517.0, updated August 20, 2026).

Symptom: After submitting a prompt, the desktop app stayed on “Thinking.” The same conversation appeared normally on mobile, where messages and responses continued, so the task itself was not still active. The desktop app remained open and responsive, but it did not render the new replies.

Tried first: updating the app, then fully closing and reopening it. Neither fixed the issue.

What fixed it for me:

  1. Close the ChatGPT desktop app.
  2. Reset its local desktop profile/app data (I preserved a backup first).
  3. Reopen the app and sign in with the same account.

This rebuilt the local profile, and the replies became visible immediately.

Caution: resetting clears local cache, settings, and sign-in state. Save any unsent drafts or local-only work first. My cloud-synced chats returned after signing in again.

This may help when the issue happens only in the desktop app while mobile or web continues to work.

2

Hey @cozygraindecor,

There was an incident affecting Thinking mode on August 20, which has since been resolved, though I can’t confirm whether it caused what you saw.

Glad resetting the desktop profile brought the replies back, and thanks for sharing what helped, including the reminder to save unsent work first.

If something similar happens again, you can check the status page for ongoing incidents or reach out to support@openai.com if it’s affecting your work.

-Sanket