ChatGPT memory error: how to protect data, how to restore history if deleted
OpenAI’s ChatGPT memory feature is reportedly experiencing glitches, with many users reporting lost or duplicate stored preferences and unreliable recall in conversations. Here’s how you can save your memory.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT memory feature is reportedly having trouble saving users’ stored preferences. This feature allows AI chatbots to remember personal details and maintain context during conversations. However, several Reddit users have recently reported that their saved Memories have suddenly disappeared or become corrupted.
The memory function lets ChatGPT remember specific user details, such as writing style, preferred tone, professional role, and language preference, to customize responses over time. However, users on Reddit reported that their memory entries on ChatGPT were erased, duplicated, or reverted to older versions. In some cases, the system even generated unfamiliar names or incorrect preferences, leaving users confused and questioning the reliability of the feature.
“Recently I’ve noticed that none of the models are retaining the memory of the prompts and reactions generated earlier in the same chat,” wrote one user on Reddit.
Another user said, “This is happening to me too. It constantly misgenders characters and forgets their appearance – so much so that I copy and paste a character’s description whenever I use it in a scene.”
Another user on Reddit complained, “Scene-writing in which I provide one character and ChatGPT handles the other – only for every second reaction to involve speaking for my character, and I don’t have to remind it for every second prompt.”
Based on user reports, the issue appears right after users see the “Memory updated” notification. Hovering over the message displays the correct saved details, but opening the Memories panel shows an empty list. The AI chatbot reportedly duplicated old entries when attempting to save new information, and when users tested recall, the system distributed the old memory.
So how do you protect your stored preferences if this happens? Users can take some precautions to keep their data safe.
How to check if ChatGPT memory is active or not
- open settings
- Go to Personalization
- Make sure the following are enabled:
- Reference Saved Memories
- Reference Chat History
If any of these are disabled, ChatGPT will not remember the previous reference or personal details.
How to manually backup your ChatGPT memory
Users can save memory notes manually:
- go to settings
- Select Personalization
- Click Manage under the Memories section
- Copy all saved memories
- Paste and save them into a document or Notes app
- It provides a personal backup in case the memories disappear again.
What to do if your ChatGPT memory disappears?
If you suddenly lose your memory settings, try logging out of your account and logging back in first. Some users say that this restored their saved information. If that doesn’t work, you may need to recreate your memory by manually entering the prompt: “Remember I’m a marketing professional who prefers concise bullet-point answers.”




