DeepSeek Server Outages: How Users Are Coping

As the digital ecosystem continues to evolve, users often find themselves relying on various online tools for both personal and professional pursuits. DeepSeek, an AI-powered search engine geared towards exploring the deep and dark web, has been hailed as a powerful rival to established players like ChatGPT. Despite its rapid popularity boost, which saw it momentarily dethrone ChatGPT as the top free app in the Apple App Store, DeepSeek has faced a slew of server outages in recent weeks. These outages have left many users scratching their heads, but they’re not backing down. Instead, they’re exploring coping strategies to handle the hiccups in service.

The server outages that DeepSeek has experienced are attributed to a combination of factors, including high demand and recent cyber attacks aimed at disrupting its service. Reports indicate that DeepSeek underwent a large-scale malicious attack on January 27, 2025, leading to difficulties in user registrations and heightened frustration among its growing base of users. During these outages, users found themselves unable to access the service, forcing many to seek alternatives while others rallied together to offer support and share resources.

The initial reaction to the outages has been significant discontent, as enthusiasts and casual users alike expressed their grievances on platforms such as Reddit. Frustration abounded, especially given the astonishing growth of DeepSeek only a week prior, where many users praised its aptitude in handling complex queries effectively. Comments highlighted the irony of being forced to seek alternatives when a service that once promised seamless access became inconsistent.

Here’s a snapshot of what users have been saying during these challenging outage periods: