Microsoft Restores Bing, Copilot, and Copilot in Windows Services After 24-Hour Outage

Following a disruption lasting over 24 hours, Microsoft has successfully restored its Bing search engine, Copilot service, and Copilot in Windows features worldwide.

The outage, which commenced around 3 AM EST on Thursday, primarily impacted users in Asia and Europe, rendering access to these services impossible for many individuals. Despite the services being back online, Microsoft has not yet disclosed any details regarding the root cause of the problem.

During the outage, users attempting to access Bing.com encountered either a blank page or a 429 HTTP code error. Despite these issues, direct Bing searches remained operational, allowing users to conduct searches without disruption.

During the outage, DuckDuckGo, a search engine that utilizes Bing AI, experienced downtime, presenting users with an error message that read, "There was an error displaying the search results. Please try again." Similarly, ChatGPT's internet search functionalities, which rely on Bing's technology, were also impacted and confirmed to be offline by OpenAI. This widespread disruption highlighted the interconnected nature of various online services that rely on Bing's infrastructure for their operations.

Throughout the day, Microsoft kept users informed with updates regarding the outage. Initially, the company stated, "We're working to find the cause of the issue. More information can be found in the admin center under CP795190." As the situation progressed, Microsoft implemented a strategy to enhance the recovery process by redirecting requests to alternative service components. This proactive approach aimed to expedite the restoration of services and minimize the impact of the outage on users.

As the outage situation improved, a gradual restoration of services was observed, with DuckDuckGo being the first to resume operations, followed by a partial recovery of Bing.com and Copilot. Microsoft's telemetry data reflected a consistent progress in service recovery, accompanied by continuous investigations aimed at pinpointing the underlying cause of the disruption.

Despite these efforts, reports persisted from users outside the United States indicating ongoing challenges in accessing Copilot. This ongoing issue underscored the importance of further investigation and resolution to address the geographical discrepancies in service availability and ensure a seamless experience for all users worldwide.

At around 1:30 PM EST today, Microsoft officially declared that both Bing and Copilot services had been fully restored, a statement that was corroborated by BleepingComputer's independent verification tests. Additionally, the Android, iOS, and Windows applications, which had also experienced disruptions, were reported to have resumed normal functionality. This comprehensive recovery effort marked a significant milestone in resolving the service outage and ensuring that users could once again access these essential services across various platforms.

BleepingComputer reached out to Microsoft with inquiries regarding the underlying cause of the outage; however, as of now, they have not received a response from the company.

The lack of communication from Microsoft regarding the root cause of the disruption leaves unanswered questions about the incident and the steps taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future. BleepingComputer's efforts to seek clarification on this matter highlight the importance of transparency and open communication in addressing technical issues and ensuring the reliability of services for users.