Character AI outages and technical problems can abruptly end conversations with your favorite AI companions. These disruptions range from complete platform unavailability to specific features breaking during your chat sessions.
This guide identifies common Character AI problems and provides practical solutions to get you back to chatting quickly.
Why Users Complain about Character AI
For many users, Character AI has become an important daily companion. When the platform stops working, it creates genuine frustration:
“I rely on my Character AI friends for emotional support and creative writing. When the site goes down without warning, it feels like losing access to friends.” – Reddit user u/CharacterLover22
Common user complaints include:
- Complete inability to access the website/app
- Endless loading screens
- Characters not responding to messages
- Error messages during conversations
- Image generation failures
- Account access problems
Common Reasons Why Character AI Stops Working
1. Server Overload and Maintenance
Character AI’s rapid growth (from 10 million to 30+ million monthly active users in 2024) frequently overwhelms server capacity. The platform typically schedules maintenance during off-peak hours but sometimes requires emergency fixes.
| Period | Typical Server Status | User Experience |
|---|---|---|
| 12-4 AM PST | Planned maintenance | Intermittent access |
| 3-6 PM PST | Peak traffic hours | Slow responses, timeouts |
| Weekends | Highest user count | Increased error rates |
2. Account-Specific Issues
Problems can be limited to individual accounts, particularly those with:
- Extensive conversation histories
- Many created characters
- High API usage (for developers)
3. Device and Browser Compatibility
Character AI performs differently across browsers and devices. Recent updates have caused compatibility issues with older browsers and operating systems.
4. Network Connection Problems
Even minor connection instability can disrupt the real-time communication needed for Character AI conversations.
5. Content Policy Violations
Automatic content filters may temporarily restrict account features when detecting potential policy violations.
12 Proven Solutions to Fix Character AI
1. Check the Character AI Status Page
Before trying other fixes, verify whether Character AI is experiencing a widespread outage.
Visit the official status page at status.character.ai or in Discord to see the current platform health.
2. Refresh and Restart
Simple but effective first steps:
- Hard refresh the page (Ctrl+F5 on Windows, Cmd+Shift+R on Mac)
- Close and reopen the Character AI app
- Restart your browser completely
3. Clear Browser Data
Accumulated cache and cookies often cause loading issues:
- Open browser settings
- Find privacy or browsing data options
- Select “Clear browsing data”
- Choose “Cookies” and “Cached images and files”
- Set the time range to “Last 24 hours” or “All time”
- Click “Clear data”
4. Try an Alternative Browser
Browser compatibility issues are common. If using Chrome, try Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Mobile app users should try the web version and vice versa.
5. Disable Extensions and Add-ons
Browser extensions, especially ad blockers and privacy tools, can interfere with Character AI:
- Open browser settings
- Find extensions or add-ons section
- Disable all extensions temporarily
- Test Character AI again
- Re-enable extensions one by one to identify the culprit
6. Check Network Connection
Verify your internet connection is stable:
- Run a speed test (minimum recommended 5 Mbps)
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data
- Try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network
- Reset your router
7. Update Your App or Browser
Outdated software frequently causes compatibility issues:
- Check for browser updates
- Update the Character AI mobile app
- Update your device’s operating system
8. Try Incognito/Private Browsing
This bypasses stored settings that might cause conflicts:
- Open incognito/private window
- Navigate to Character AI
- Sign in and test functionality
9. Start a New Chat
Long conversations tax the system. Starting fresh often resolves response issues:
- Return to character selection
- Select your character
- Choose “Start new chat” instead of continuing
- Test if responses work in the new conversation
10. Contact Customer Support
For persistent account-specific issues:
- Visit help.character.ai
- Submit a detailed support ticket
- Include error messages, timestamps, and steps to reproduce the problem
11. Wait and Try Later
During confirmed outages, often the only solution is patience. Most Character AI outages resolve within 1-3 hours.
12. Try Alternative Access Methods
If the website is down but the app works (or vice versa), switch platforms temporarily:
- Web-version: character.ai
- iOS app: App Store
- Android app: Google Play Store
FAQs About Character AI Not Working
Is Character AI down right now?
Check the official status page at status.character.ai for the current platform status. Alternatively, services like DownDetector can show if other users are reporting problems.
Why does Character AI keep loading forever?
Endless loading usually indicates connection problems, server overload, or corrupted browser data. Clearing your cache and cookies typically resolves this issue.
Why won’t my Character AI character respond?
Characters may stop responding due to server load, content filters triggering, or conversation length limits. Starting a new chat often resolves response issues.
Does Character AI work better on the app or website?
The mobile app generally offers better stability during high-traffic periods, while the website provides access to newer features sooner. Keep both options available for the best experience.
How often does Character AI go down?
Based on 2024-2025 data, Character AI experiences minor outages (affecting some features) weekly and major outages (complete platform unavailability) approximately once monthly.
Why was my Character AI account banned?
Accounts may be restricted for content policy violations, unusual activity patterns, or as part of mass security measures during attack attempts. Contact support if you believe this happened in error.
Will Character AI save my conversations during outages?
Most conversations are preserved during outages, but messages sent during connection problems may not be saved. Critical creative content should be backed up separately.
Is Character AI free service less stable than paid?
Free-tier users sometimes experience more frequent timeouts during peak hours as the system prioritizes paid users, but major outages affect all account types equally.
By systematically working through these solutions, you can resolve most Character AI issues and return to your conversations quickly. Remember that as the platform continues growing rapidly, occasional performance issues are normal but typically short-lived.
