Fixing the API.BaseAPI.InternalRequestError in ChatGPT Atlas — What It Means and What You Can Do

Just a few days after users started reporting certificate issues in the new ChatGPT Atlas Browser for macOS, another strange error popped up — and this time, it’s confusing a lot of people:

“API.BaseAPI.InternalRequestError error 1”

At first glance, it looks like a cryptic system bug. But after digging through OpenAI’s developer community threads, it turns out this error isn’t about your internet or login credentials — it’s something deeper, hidden inside how Atlas communicates with OpenAI’s servers.

🔍 What Does This Error Actually Mean?

The message “API.BaseAPI.InternalRequestError” basically means the app tried to talk to OpenAI’s backend — and the request failed before it ever got a proper response. In simpler terms, it’s a backend communication issue.

Unlike the certificate verification error (which is network-related), this one usually indicates something’s wrong on the app or API level rather than your local device or connection.

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Here’s how it typically happens:

• The Atlas app sends a request to the ChatGPT service API.
• Something interrupts or invalidates that request — like a failed session token, timeout, or server glitch.
• The browser returns a generic error message: “InternalRequestError error 1.”

So it’s not that your Mac or Wi-Fi broke — it’s that Atlas couldn’t get the handshake it needed from OpenAI’s API at that moment.

⚠️ Common Causes (and What’s Going On Behind the Scenes)

1. Temporary API Outage

Several users on the OpenAI Developer Community Forum noticed the same thing happening around the same time — which suggests the issue might be a temporary backend hiccup. In these cases, waiting a few hours and trying again often works.

2. Corrupted Login Session or Token

If your ChatGPT login token is corrupted (for example, from a failed login or expired session), Atlas might send invalid authentication data to the server, which triggers this internal error.

3. Early Build Bug in Atlas

Because Atlas is still a new app, it’s likely that some early release bugs remain. The “error 1” code doesn’t mean your system is broken — it simply means the internal API call didn’t complete properly, and Atlas doesn’t yet provide a friendly explanation for it.

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🧰 How to Fix the API.BaseAPI.InternalRequestError (Step-by-Step)

1. Force-quit Atlas and restart macOS

Sometimes the app keeps old session data in memory. Close Atlas completely and restart your Mac before launching again.

2. Clear Atlas cache and app data

Go to your macOS Library folder and look for the Atlas cache (usually under ~/Library/Application Support/Atlas). Delete the cache and restart the app — this forces Atlas to rebuild a clean session.

3. Reinstall the ChatGPT Atlas Browser

If the error persists, uninstall Atlas completely and download the latest version from the official OpenAI website. Reinstalling can refresh internal dependencies that may have caused the API request failure.

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4. Try logging in through a different network

Even though this isn’t a network bug, some proxies or VPNs can interfere with internal API requests. Try connecting from your home Wi-Fi or mobile hotspot just to rule that out.

5. Report the issue to OpenAI Support

If you’re still seeing the same message, the best move is to contact OpenAI Support. Below is a ready-to-use bug report template you can copy and send:

Subject: API.BaseAPI.InternalRequestError error 1 in ChatGPT Atlas Browser

Message:
I'm encountering an “API.BaseAPI.InternalRequestError error 1” message while logging in to ChatGPT Atlas Browser on macOS. Restarting and reinstalling did not fix the issue. Could you please confirm if this is a known issue or if there’s a workaround?

Environment:
- OS: macOS (please include version)
- App: ChatGPT Atlas (latest version)
- Network: Personal or corporate (please specify)

💡 What Users Are Saying

Several forum users, including one named Pablo_Vianini, reported this exact issue and confirmed it persisted even after restarting the app. Another user, Edward_Hudson, suspected it might be related to corporate internet restrictions — but the error also appeared for people on personal networks.

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That suggests it’s likely a temporary backend or version-specific issue rather than a problem on the user’s end. The moderators also reminded users that the forum isn’t officially monitored by OpenAI’s ChatGPT team — so sending a ticket to help.openai.com is the most effective option.

🚀 When Will It Be Fixed?

Because Atlas is still a relatively new product, OpenAI is likely gathering feedback and stabilizing API communication behind the scenes. This kind of internal request error usually disappears quietly in the next patch or build update.

If you’re affected, keep Atlas updated and check the OpenAI Forum occasionally — users there often spot fixes before they’re officially released.

✨ Final Thoughts

The API.BaseAPI.InternalRequestError isn’t something to panic about. It’s a classic “early build” issue — a sign that Atlas is still evolving and being fine-tuned for stability.

If it happens to you, try the quick fixes first: restart, clear cache, or reinstall. If nothing works, report it. Chances are, OpenAI is already on it — and your report helps them fix it faster for everyone.

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Have you seen this error yourself?

Share your experience in the comments below. Your feedback might help someone else — and maybe we’ll all see a fix in the next Atlas update. 🧩