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Closing ChatGPT does not automatically stop every task—but whether a task can finish without the app open depends on how it runs. Scheduled team tasks and ChatGPT Work’s cloud browser run remotely; a Work step that uses files or tools on your connected computer depends on that computer. Check the task mode first, then use its run history and prompts to find what stopped it.
Which kind of ChatGPT task are you using?
OpenAI’s guidance about tasks continuing in the background applies to particular cloud features, not every chat or task. The key differences are where execution happens and what the task needs from you.
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| Task mode | Where it runs | What closing the app or computer means | What may still be needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled team task | In the cloud | ChatGPT and your computer do not need to stay open for a scheduled run. | A valid schedule, required app connections, and permissions. OpenAI says scheduled tasks may pause if they are inactive, need additional action, or their associated chat is deleted. |
| Work cloud-browser task | In a remote browser | It can continue after you leave the conversation or close your computer. | It may pause for information, sign-in, confirmation, a site restriction, or a user takeover. Some sites and actions are unsupported. |
| Work step using local files or tools | On the connected computer | The computer must remain online and connected while the local step runs. A running local turn does not automatically switch to cloud execution if the computer goes offline. | Access to the required local resources, plus the correct account and workspace. |
These distinctions come from OpenAI Help Center guidance on Creating and managing team tasks in ChatGPT, Using cloud browser in ChatGPT, and Agent Security and local work sync in ChatGPT. The URLs for those articles are not specified here, so they are named without links.
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How to find why a task did not finish
- Identify the task mode. Decide whether it is a scheduled task, a cloud-browser Work task, or a Work task using local files or tools. The remedy depends on whether the task needs a schedule, an online service, or your computer.
- Inspect its status and run history. Open Scheduled, then Previous runs, and review the result and any error. A schedule marked Completed means it has no future runs scheduled; it does not establish that a particular run succeeded.
- Verify the schedule or trigger. Check the saved date and time, time zone, recurrence, or event condition. Event triggers only work for supported events and eligible task configurations.
- Check for a prompt requiring your input. Return to the conversation and look for a request for information, secure sign-in, confirmation, or takeover. Consequential actions such as a booking or payment require confirmation.
- Resolve app-access errors. Check that the connected account is the intended one and still has the required permissions. In a managed workspace, verify the workspace and team; if permissions appear to be missing, ask the administrator to check task and app access.
- Restore local access if needed. Bring the computer online, keep it connected, and confirm it is signed in to the right account and workspace so the local task can reach its files or tools.
- Verify the outcome before retrying. Check the destination and run history first if the task might already have sent a message or changed a file. Pause or delete controls for future runs should not be assumed to stop a run already in progress.
Other reasons a task may pause or fail
- A website blocks automated access. A site can restrict the cloud browser even if it opens normally in your own browser. Some sign-in and transaction steps may not be supported; you may need to take over or complete the final step yourself.
- The connected app cannot perform the requested action. Apps expose only the information and actions permitted by the connected account and its configured permissions.
- The feature is not enabled for your setup. Availability can depend on account, app and app version, plan, supported region, rollout, and workspace permissions. For example, local work sync requires workspace enablement and access to both local and cloud Work. Check the current interface and workspace controls rather than assuming a feature is available.
OpenAI’s Help Center pages were checked on October 3, 2026. Feature availability and plan or workspace requirements can change, so the controls shown in your current account are the best guide to what is enabled.
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