Windows ChatGPT desktop app spins indefinitely at startup on two PCs #49244

What version of the Codex App are you using (From “About Codex” dialog)?

26.924.2738.0

What subscription do you have?

Plus

What platform is your computer?

Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.26200.0 x64

What issue are you seeing?

The ChatGPT desktop app for Windows shows the ChatGPT logo and then remains on a rotating loading circle indefinitely. It does not reach a usable main screen or display an error message.

This occurs on two Windows computers: my original PC and a Windows Surface with a fresh installation. ChatGPT works in a web browser on the original PC. The Surface still shows the spinner when connected through a phone hotspot.

On the original PC, I tried ending the app in Task Manager, restarting Windows, Repair, Reset, and uninstalling and reinstalling the app. I also tested with a fresh .codex folder and a fresh %LOCALAPPDATA%\OpenAI\Codex runtime folder. The app briefly reached sign-in after the fresh .codex test, but the spinner returned on the next launch. I found no corresponding error in Windows Event Viewer and no Codex or sandbox log in the default locations.

The original PC has package OpenAI.Codex version 26.924.2738.0. No error message or prompt is shown; the app only displays the loading circle.

What steps can reproduce the bug?

1. Install the ChatGPT desktop app for Windows from the Microsoft Store.
2. Launch the app.
3. The ChatGPT logo appears, followed by a rotating loading circle that remains indefinitely. The main screen does not load and no error message appears.

I can reproduce this on my original Windows PC and on a Surface with a fresh installation, using the same ChatGPT account. On the Surface, it also happens over a phone hotspot. On the original PC, the installed package is OpenAI.Codex version 26.924.2738.0.

No code snippet is needed to reproduce the issue: it occurs during app startup, before I can open a project or run a command. I cannot obtain a session ID from the app because the interface does not load. Token limit and context window usage are not applicable.

What is the expected behavior?

After launch, the app should complete loading and display the sign-in screen or, if already signed in, the main ChatGPT/Codex interface with my projects and chats.

Additional information

The Windows Surface showed the same behavior before I copied any projects, settings, or session data from the original PC. ChatGPT remains accessible in a web browser. I have preserved the original PC’s .codex backup, including local session data, and can provide additional diagnostics if you specify what to collect. I would also appreciate guidance on restoring my previous Codex projects and chats once the app works.