How to use it
- Read the live status above. It tests Claude from outside your network.
- Open the official Claude Status page for confirmed incidents.
- If Claude is up, work through the fixes below, cheapest first.
- Press the report button if it still fails, so other visitors see it.
Is Claude down for everyone or only for you?
Claude reaches people in several ways: the claude.ai website and apps, the Claude API used by developers, and tools built on that API such as Claude Code. They share models but not every layer. The chat app can struggle while the API works, and a single model can be overloaded while others respond.
Our check requests claude.ai and the API host from outside your network. A blocked or not found reply is normal for these URLs and still proves the servers are up. If they answer, the problem is more likely your session, your browser or a limit on your account.
The live check on this page requests claude.ai and api.anthropic.com from our servers every few minutes. A normal answer from those addresses means the service is reachable from outside your network. It does not prove that every feature inside Claude works, which is why the problem reports and the fixes below matter.
What usually breaks with Claude
Overloaded responses
Requests fail because capacity is stretched. The API documents this as a 529 overloaded_error that can occur when traffic is high across all users.
Login and sessions
The sign-in link does not arrive, the page loops back to login or the app shows a blank screen.
Replies that stop midway
A long answer cuts off or the connection drops. On the API, long requests are better sent with streaming because networks may drop idle connections.
Usage limits
You can chat but hit a limit message. This is an account limit, not an outage.
Developer integrations
Apps return 401, 403, 429 or 500 errors. Each code has a defined meaning in the API documentation.
How to fix Claude when it only fails for you
Start at the top. The first steps are the cheapest and fix most cases that are not a real outage.
- Reload and retry. Refresh claude.ai with Ctrl+Shift+R (Cmd+Shift+R on Mac). Overload errors often clear within minutes.
- Try another model. In the model picker, switch to a different model. One model can be busy while another responds.
- Use a private window. Open claude.ai in an incognito window with extensions off. If it works, clear cookies for claude.ai in your normal browser.
- Request a new login link. If sign-in email does not arrive, check spam and wait a minute before requesting again. The Claude Help Center covers how to log in to your account.
- Update the mobile app. Install the latest Claude app on iPhone or Android, then sign out and back in if the chat list stays empty.
- Start a fresh conversation. A very long chat can load slowly or fail. Begin a new one and paste only the context you need.
- Turn off VPN or proxy. Some shared addresses are blocked or rate limited. Disconnect and reload to test.
- Read the API error type. For developers, check the type field in the JSON error and include the request-id header value when contacting support.
If none of this helps and the live check above shows the service as up, read our guide on why a website is not loading, or see how to flush DNS.
Common Claude error messages
| Message or code | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 529 overloaded_error | The API is temporarily overloaded. It can occur when traffic is high across all users. | Retry with backoff. The official SDK retries transient failures twice by default. |
| 429 rate_limit_error | Your organization hit a rate limit or a usage tier spend cap. | Slow down and ramp traffic up gradually. A spend cap 429 persists until access resumes. |
| 500 api_error | An unexpected error occurred inside Anthropic's systems. | Retry with exponential backoff and contact support with the request ID if it persists. |
| 401 authentication_error | There is a problem with your API key, such as malformed, revoked or expired. | Create or replace the key in the Claude Console. |
| 504 timeout_error | The request timed out while processing. | Use the streaming Messages API for long requests. |
Official Claude status and support
The company itself has the final word on outages. Check Claude Status for confirmed incidents and use Claude Help Center if your account has a problem that is not an outage. We are not affiliated with Claude.
Facts and menu names on this page were checked against the official sources below on October 25, 2026. Apps change their menus, so a setting may sit in a slightly different place in your version.
Other services people check
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if Claude is down or if it is just me?
Run the live check above and open status.claude.com. If both look healthy, try a private window or another network. If it works there, the cause is your browser or connection.
Where can I see official Claude outages?
Anthropic publishes incidents at status.claude.com.
Is an overloaded message the same as being rate limited?
No. A 529 means the service is busy for everyone. A 429 means your own organization hit a limit.
Can the API work when claude.ai does not?
Yes. They are separate entry points, so one can be affected while the other works. Check both on the status page.
What should I send to support for an API error?
Include the request ID. Every API response has a request-id header, and the same value appears as request_id in the error body.