Any big website launch comes with teething problems, and the IRCTC new website is no exception. In the first days after the switch, a lot of travellers found the site loading strangely, logins failing, or payments getting stuck — often not because the site is down, but because of an old cached page or a small setting on their end. The good news: almost every "IRCTC new website not working" complaint has a quick fix.

Here are the most common problems and how to solve each one.

Why the IRCTC New Website Might Not Be Working

Most issues right after a launch fall into three buckets: your browser is still showing the old cached site, the servers are under heavy launch-day load, or a saved setting (old card, stale cookie) is clashing with the new system. Work through the fixes below in order and you will clear the vast majority of them.

Common Problems & Fixes

1. The IRCTC new website won't load / looks like the old site.

Clear your browser cache and cookies for the IRCTC domain, then reload — or open the site in a private/incognito window. This single step fixes most "looks broken" and "won't load" complaints, because your browser was serving the old cached version.

2. Login not working.

Your credentials still work on the IRCTC new website — you do not need a new account. If login fails: double-check caps lock, use "Forgot Password" to reset if needed, and clear cookies. During peak launch hours, a failed login is often just server load — wait a minute and retry.

3. Page is very slow or times out.

This is usually launch-day traffic. Try during off-peak hours (avoid the 10–11 AM Tatkal rush), switch to a stable Wi-Fi connection, and close extra browser tabs. If the site is slow only for you, clear cache and restart the browser.

4. Captcha or OTP not arriving.

The IRCTC new website simplified verification, but OTPs still depend on your mobile network. Ensure your registered number has signal, wait the full timer before requesting a resend, and avoid opening the booking in two tabs (which can invalidate the first OTP).

5. Payment failed but money deducted.

This is the most stressful one — and usually the money is auto-reversed within 5–7 working days. Do not book again immediately assuming it failed; first check your bookings/PNR. We have a full guide on payment failed but money deducted with the exact refund steps.

6. Old bookmark opens an error.

If you saved a deep link to a specific old page, it may not exist on the IRCTC new website. Go to the homepage and navigate from there, then save a fresh bookmark.

If Nothing Works — Your Backups

If the IRCTC new website is genuinely overloaded at that moment:

• Use the Rail Connect / RailOne app — it runs on separate infrastructure and often works when the website is busy.
• Try again off-peak — the site is calmest late morning to afternoon (outside Tatkal windows).
• Keep checking status elsewhere — you do not need IRCTC to check a PNR or track a train. Use ConfirmYatra to check your PNR status and track your train live anytime, regardless of what the booking site is doing.

For the background on why the site was rebuilt and what is new, see our post on the new IRCTC website and its features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the IRCTC new website not opening for me?

The most common reason is that your browser is loading a cached version of the old site. Clear your cache and cookies for the IRCTC domain, or open the site in a private/incognito window. If it is still slow, it is likely launch-day server load — try again during off-peak hours.

My login is not working on the IRCTC new website. What do I do?

Your existing username and password still work — no new account is needed. Check caps lock, clear cookies, and reset via "Forgot Password" if required. During peak hours a failed login is often just heavy traffic, so wait a minute and retry.

My payment failed but money was deducted on the new website. Will I get a refund?

Yes — in most cases the amount is automatically reversed within about 5–7 working days. Do not rebook immediately; first check your bookings and PNR status to confirm whether the ticket was actually issued.

Is the IRCTC new website down, or is it just me?

Often it is a local cache or network issue rather than an outage. Clear your cache, switch networks, and try the Rail Connect app. If the app also fails during a peak window, it is likely temporary server load that eases outside Tatkal hours.

Can I check PNR status if the IRCTC new website is not working?

Absolutely. PNR status and live train tracking do not depend on the booking site. Check your PNR status and live train running status on ConfirmYatra anytime, even when IRCTC is busy.

When the IRCTC new website is having a busy day, ConfirmYatra keeps you moving — check your PNR status and track your train live in seconds, no login required.