[Windows] ChatGPT Desktop stuck on “Unable to load sign-in requirements” after reset/reinstall

What version of the Codex / ChatGPT Desktop app are you using?

Exact version unavailable because the app cannot get past the sign-in requirements screen. It was freshly reinstalled from the Microsoft Store on 2026-09-19.

What subscription do you have?

Paid ChatGPT plan.

What platform is your computer?

Windows 11 x64.

What issue are you seeing?

The ChatGPT Desktop app opens, but it is unusable because the window remains stuck on:

Unable to load sign-in requirements

with only a Retry button.

Retry does not resolve the problem.

ChatGPT works normally in the web browser with the same account, so the account itself is accessible. The failure appears specific to the Windows desktop app / desktop sign-in flow.

The issue began before the SSO incident shown on the OpenAI status page on 2026-09-18 and is still present after that incident was marked resolved.

What steps can reproduce the bug?

1. Launch ChatGPT Desktop on Windows.
2. The app opens to a mostly blank window.
3. The center of the window shows “Unable to load sign-in requirements”.
4. Click Retry.
5. The same error remains and the sign-in flow never loads.

Troubleshooting already attempted

• Fully quit / force-closed ChatGPT.
• Used Windows Repair for the app.
• Used Windows Reset for the app.
• Uninstalled ChatGPT.
• Rebooted Windows.
• Reinstalled ChatGPT from the Microsoft Store.
• Tested again after the fresh reinstall.
• Tested using a different network / phone hotspot.
• Confirmed ChatGPT web works normally with the same account.

None of these steps changed the behavior.

What is the expected behavior?

The desktop app should load the ChatGPT sign-in requirements/authentication flow and allow the user to sign in normally.

Additional information

A screenshot of the error is available and can be added if needed.

Because the app never reaches the main UI, the exact app version cannot currently be read from the About dialog.

No source file or test is named. Start by reproducing the failure on Windows 11 x64 using the Microsoft Store installation and inspect the desktop sign-in requirements flow, comparing it with the browser sign-in behavior. Done means the app loads its authentication flow instead of remaining on the error with only Retry.