When your chats are not showing in ChatGPT, it is usually due to a temporary issue with your browser, the ChatGPT website, or OpenAI's servers. Your chat history is likely safe on OpenAI's servers and has not been deleted.
Quick fixes to try first
Refresh the page: The simplest solution is to refresh your browser window. Press F5 on Windows or Cmd + R on macOS.
Log out and log back in: Your session may have timed out. Log out by clicking your username at the bottom of the left sidebar, then log back in.
Clear your browser's cache and cookies: Corrupted or outdated browser data can prevent conversations from loading. This is one of the most common solutions for this problem.
Try an incognito window or different browser: This helps determine if the problem is caused by a browser extension or a setting in your regular browser. If it works, clear your regular browser's cache or disable extensions.
Disable VPNs or browser extensions: Some extensions, ad blockers, or VPNs can interfere with ChatGPT's connection. Try disabling them temporarily.
If the quick fixes don't work
Check the OpenAI server status: Visit the official OpenAI Status Page to see if there is an active outage or ongoing maintenance. Server issues can cause chat history to not load for many users.
Check for archived chats: In some cases, conversations may be accidentally archived. Go to your settings (click your profile name in the bottom-left), find the "Data Controls" section, and click "Manage" next to "Archived chats" to check.
Use the mobile app: If you have the ChatGPT app, try accessing your chats there. If they appear, it confirms the issue is with the web version and that your data is safe.
Check your internet connection: Ensure your network is stable. A poor or intermittent internet connection can prevent the page from loading your history.
Search for a specific conversation: If you remember a keyword from a "missing" chat, try using the search bar at the top of the app or website. Some users have reported this forces the chat to reappear in their list.
If all else fails
Contact OpenAI support: If the problem persists, it may be a more complex account-specific issue. Use the help center to submit a support request. You can find this by clicking the ? icon or "Help" in the bottom-right corner.