Frontier Fiber Outages: How to Check Status and Report Issues
Is Frontier Down Right Now?
Before assuming there's a widespread outage, it's important to determine whether the issue is with Frontier's network or isolated to your home equipment. Frontier Fiber's network is designed for 99.9%+ uptime, but outages do occasionally occur due to weather events, infrastructure maintenance, equipment failures, or third-party damage to fiber lines (such as construction crews accidentally cutting underground cables).
Here are the steps to determine if Frontier is experiencing an outage in your area.
How to Check Frontier Outage Status
1. MyFrontier App
The fastest way to check for outages is through the MyFrontier app on your smartphone. The app uses your account information to check for known outages at your specific address. If an outage is detected, the app will display:
- Confirmation that an outage is affecting your area
- The estimated restoration time (when available)
- The type of outage (planned maintenance vs. unplanned)
- Option to receive push notifications when service is restored
2. Frontier's Website Outage Tool
Visit Frontier's outage page (frontier.com/outage) and log in with your account credentials. The website provides the same outage information as the app, including affected areas and estimated repair timelines. This is useful if the app isn't working or you prefer a desktop browser.
3. Phone Support
Call 1-855-981-6281 to speak with Frontier's technical support team. Their automated system can detect outages associated with your account and provide status updates before you even reach a live agent. This is the best option if you can't access the internet to use the app or website.
4. Third-Party Outage Trackers
Websites like Downdetector aggregate user reports of outages across all internet providers. While not official, these sites can provide a quick sense of whether other Frontier customers in your area are experiencing similar issues. A spike in reports at Downdetector typically indicates a genuine network issue rather than an isolated home equipment problem.
5. Social Media
Frontier's official social media accounts (Twitter @FrontierCorp, Facebook) may post updates about major outages affecting large numbers of customers. Searching for "Frontier outage" on Twitter can also reveal whether other users in your area are reporting problems.
Troubleshooting Before Reporting an Outage
Many perceived outages are actually equipment issues that can be resolved at home. Before reporting an outage, try these steps:
Step 1: Check Your Equipment Lights
Look at the LEDs on your ONT (Optical Network Terminal):
- Power light solid green: ONT has power (normal)
- Fiber/PON light solid green: Fiber signal is active (normal)
- Internet/Data light solid or blinking green: Data connection active (normal)
- Alarm light red or flashing: Indicates a problem with the fiber connection
- No lights at all: ONT has no power; check the outlet and power cable
If the fiber/PON light is off but other lights are on, the issue is likely on Frontier's side and you should report it.
Step 2: Power Cycle Your Equipment
- Unplug the eero router from power
- Unplug the ONT from power (or use the power button if equipped)
- Wait 30-60 seconds
- Plug the ONT back in first and wait 2-3 minutes for all lights to stabilize
- Plug the eero router back in and wait 1-2 minutes
- Test your connection
This simple reboot resolves the majority of home connectivity issues. If service doesn't restore after a full power cycle, the issue may be on Frontier's network side.
Step 3: Test with a Wired Connection
If your Wi-Fi isn't working but you haven't tried a wired connection, plug an Ethernet cable directly from the router (or ONT) into your computer. If wired internet works but Wi-Fi doesn't, the issue is with your router or Wi-Fi settings, not with Frontier's fiber network.
Step 4: Check for Localized Issues
- Power outage: Is your home's electricity working? The ONT and router need power to function.
- Loose cables: Check that all Ethernet and fiber connections are snug and undamaged.
- Physical damage: Inspect visible portions of fiber cable for damage from weather, animals, or yard work.
How to Report a Frontier Outage
If troubleshooting doesn't resolve the issue and you believe there's a genuine outage:
- Call technical support: 1-855-981-6281 (available 24/7 for outage reports)
- Use the MyFrontier app: Report the issue and request a callback if wait times are long
- Note the time: Record when the outage started, as this helps technicians and may be relevant for any service credits
When reporting, provide:
- Your account number or service address
- The time the outage started
- Results of your troubleshooting (equipment reboot, light status on ONT)
- Whether the outage is complete (no connection at all) or partial (slow speeds, intermittent drops)
Types of Frontier Outages
Planned Maintenance
Frontier schedules maintenance windows to upgrade equipment, improve network capacity, or perform repairs. These are typically scheduled during off-peak hours (late night/early morning) and Frontier usually notifies affected customers in advance via email, the app, or text message. Planned maintenance outages are generally brief (1-4 hours).
Weather-Related Outages
Severe weather events like ice storms, hurricanes, high winds, and flooding can damage fiber infrastructure. Above-ground fiber lines on utility poles are vulnerable to fallen trees and ice accumulation. Underground fiber can be affected by flooding or ground shifts. Weather-related outages may take longer to resolve due to the extent of damage and safety considerations for repair crews.
Third-Party Damage
One of the most common causes of fiber outages is accidental damage from construction, excavation, or utility work that cuts underground fiber cables. These "fiber cuts" can affect entire neighborhoods or areas served by the damaged segment. Repair typically involves splicing the fiber, which takes several hours once technicians locate the break.
Equipment Failures
Hardware failures at network nodes, distribution hubs, or central offices can cause outages for clusters of customers. These are typically resolved within a few hours as Frontier deploys replacement equipment.
Typical Outage Resolution Timelines
| Outage Type | Typical Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Planned maintenance | 1-4 hours | Scheduled off-peak, advance notice given |
| Equipment failure | 2-8 hours | Depends on replacement parts availability |
| Fiber cut (localized) | 4-12 hours | Requires locating break and splicing fiber |
| Weather event (moderate) | 6-24 hours | Repair crews deployed after conditions safe |
| Major storm/disaster | 1-7 days | Extensive damage may require infrastructure rebuild |
Service Credits for Extended Outages
If you experience an extended outage, you may be eligible for a service credit on your next bill. Frontier's policy varies, but generally:
- Outages lasting more than 24 hours may qualify for prorated service credits
- You typically need to request the credit by contacting billing support
- Credits are calculated based on the duration of the outage and your monthly rate
When requesting a credit, reference the specific dates and times of the outage and any ticket numbers from your support interactions.
Outage FAQs
How do I check if Frontier has an outage in my area?
Use the MyFrontier app, visit frontier.com/outage, or call 1-855-981-6281. Third-party sites like Downdetector can also indicate widespread outages. The MyFrontier app provides the most accurate, account-specific outage information.
My internet is out. Is it an outage or my equipment?
Check the LED lights on your ONT. If the fiber/PON light is off, the issue is likely on Frontier's side. If all ONT lights are normal, try restarting your router. Test with a wired Ethernet connection to rule out Wi-Fi issues. If nothing resolves the problem, report it to Frontier.
How long do Frontier outages usually last?
Most outages are resolved within 2-12 hours. Planned maintenance is typically 1-4 hours during off-peak times. Weather-related or major infrastructure outages may take 24 hours or longer. The MyFrontier app provides estimated restoration times when available.
Can I get a refund for a Frontier outage?
You may be eligible for a prorated service credit for extended outages, typically those lasting more than 24 hours. Contact Frontier billing support to request a credit. Have the outage dates, times, and any support ticket numbers ready when calling.
Will my phone work during a Frontier Fiber outage?
If you have Frontier VoIP phone service, it requires both the ONT and your router to be powered and connected. During a fiber outage, your home phone will not work. During a power outage, the ONT's battery backup (if equipped) may keep phone service running for a few hours, but internet typically goes down when your router loses power.