What do I need to do?

Melissa Alexander 0 Reputation points
2026-09-17T19:13:00.4333333+00:00

I'm sorry, I'm having trouble responding to requests right now. Let's try this again in a bit. Why is this the only message I am getting from copilot?

Microsoft Copilot | Other
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  1. Clary-N 16,020 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-09-19T08:10:34.77+00:00

    Hi Melissa Alexander,

    Thanks for reaching out. Since you're getting this message consistently, I’d like to narrow down where the issue is happening.

    Could you let me know:

    • Does this happen with every prompt, including a simple new question?
    • Are you using the Copilot app or Copilot in a web browser?
    • Does the same thing happen if you start a new chat?
    • If possible, have you tried Copilot in an InPrivate/Incognito window or on another network?

    If you're using Windows, you can also open Get Help, search for Copilot connectivity troubleshooter and follow the prompts. It can check for firewall rules or other connection blockers.

    If the problem happens across both the app and browser, please let me know what you tested and when the issue first started. That should help narrow down the next step.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-17T19:13:13.15+00:00

    That message usually means Copilot is temporarily unable to process the request because of backend resource constraints.

    What to do:

    1. Wait a short time and try again.
      • This specific message maps to Copilot being at capacity and temporarily unavailable.
    2. Rephrase the prompt and retry.
      • If Copilot also returns messages like “Sorry, something went wrong” or “I couldn’t understand your question,” rewording the request can help.
    3. If this happens in the Copilot app and continues, report it from the app.
      • Select the ellipsis (…) in the upper-right corner.
      • Select Send feedback.
      • Select Report a problem.
      • Include when the issue started, the device and operating system, and a screenshot.

    If the message appears every time, the supported explanation in the documentation is still temporary service capacity on the backend rather than a problem with the wording of the request.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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