Unable to create downloadable file - Bugs - OpenAI Developer Community
Whenever I ask ChatGPT to upload contents in a downloadable file, it gives me a link. However, upon clicking on it, it gives me a "file not found" error. This issue has been persistent for the past 5 days. I am also unable to download any type of file that is created, whether on the app on my phone or on my laptop in either Chrome or Firefox.
Temporary Workaround – Downloading Files via Excel or Canvas
I’ve encountered the same issue: when ChatGPT creates a downloadable file (e.g. .txt, .md, .json), the link often leads to a “file not found” error. After several tests, I found two methods that work reliably:
- Unlike plain text files, Excel files containing the text inside a cell are successfully downloadable — even from the mobile app.
- By creating a Canvas (a public capsule with formatted text), you can generate a shareable link. The text becomes viewable in any browser, even on mobile.
Note: this is not a downloadable file, but rather a hosted viewable page. These are workarounds, not native solutions. Hopefully OpenAI will fix the file access bug soon.
Resolved – Text File Downloads Working Again on Mobile
Context: Like many users, we encountered the well-known bug where .txt, .json, or .md files generated by ChatGPT could not be downloaded on mobile. The links returned a “file not found” error, even though the files existed.
Current Status – April 21, 2025
Good news: As of today, we tested the same .txt file generation process, and it is now fully accessible and downloadable from the ChatGPT mobile app.
- Same code
- Same file format (UTF-8 .txt)
- No changes in method
The issue seems to have been resolved silently on OpenAI’s end.
Temporary Tip (if the issue persists for you): Use .xlsx (Excel) format with the text inside a cell – works 100% on mobile. Or request a direct text preview in the chat. Validated in the context of the Harmonia AI ΞΩΨ project.
Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled
