Dark Mode Not Persisting – Desktop App Syncs Back to System Light Mode Despite Manual Setting

[tomerlevin84]

Description:
I’m using the ChatGPT desktop app on Windows 11 (latest version as of May 2025). I have set my Windows system appearance to Light Mode but in the ChatGPT app, I’ve manually set Preferences > Appearance to Dark Mode (not System).

The issue:

Initially, Dark Mode is applied correctly.

However, after some time (often after app restarts, waking from sleep, or randomly), the app reverts to Light Mode even though ChatGPT Preferences remain set to Dark Mode.

It seems like the app is resyncing with the Windows system theme despite the manual override, which should not happen.

Expected behavior:
Once Dark Mode is selected in Preferences (not System), it should stay locked and persistent regardless of Windows' system appearance setting.

This bug makes Dark Mode unreliable for users who want ChatGPT in dark while keeping their Windows system in Light Mode. Please investigate and address in a future patch.

Environment:

OS: Windows 11

ChatGPT Desktop App (latest version, May 2025)

Windows Appearance: Light Mode

ChatGPT Preferences > Appearance: Dark Mode

Thank you for your attention to this issue!