why is my chatgpt so slow

The primary reasons why ChatGPT may be slow are server overload during peak usage times, using the free version where paid users get priority, issues with internet connection speed or stability, limitations of the device or browser you are using, and the way the chat interface handles long conversations which can slow down rendering and response display. Restarting chats, clearing browser cache, switching browsers or devices, and checking internet speed or OpenAI server status are common fixes. In long chat threads, the slowdown is often due to the browser struggling to render all the messages and formatting, rather than the model itself. Using settings like "Fast mode" in GPT-5 can also improve response speed by keeping replies shorter and quicker to process.