Internet Outage Tracker
Check real-time outage status for every major internet provider. Find your provider below to check for outages, report problems, and get estimated restoration times.
Check Your Provider's Outage Status
Spectrum
31.2M subscribers
AT&T
13.8M subscribers
Xfinity
32.2M subscribers
Frontier
4.2M subscribers
Cox
5.1M subscribers
T-Mobile Home Internet
6.0M subscribers
Verizon Fios
7.2M subscribers
CenturyLink / Quantum Fiber
4.5M subscribers
HughesNet
1.3M subscribers
Starlink
4.0M subscribers
What to Do When Your Internet Goes Out
Before contacting your provider, try these steps. Most issues can be resolved in under 5 minutes.
- 1
Check if it's just your device
Try connecting another device to WiFi. If other devices work, the problem is your device, not your internet.
- 2
Restart your router and modem
Unplug both devices, wait 30 seconds, plug in the modem first, wait for lights to stabilize (2 minutes), then plug in the router.
- 3
Check for provider outages
Use the status links above or check DownDetector. If others in your area report issues, it's a provider problem.
- 4
Test with an Ethernet cable
Connect directly to your modem/router with an Ethernet cable. If this works, your WiFi is the issue — try changing the channel or repositioning your router.
- 5
Switch DNS servers
If pages won't load but apps like Spotify work, it's a DNS issue. Switch to Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google (8.8.8.8) DNS in your device settings.
- 6
Contact your provider
If none of the above works, contact your ISP. Have your account number ready. Ask for a service credit if the outage exceeds 4 hours.
Why Internet Outages Happen
Understanding the cause helps you estimate when service will return and whether you can fix it yourself.
Weather-Related Outages (avg. 2-12 hours)
Storms, high winds, ice, and extreme heat can damage aerial cables, utility poles, and outdoor equipment. Satellite and fixed wireless services are particularly affected by severe weather.
What to do:
Wait for the storm to pass. Check your provider's status page for restoration estimates. If power is out, your modem and router won't work even if the ISP's network is fine — a UPS backup can help.
Fiber Cuts (avg. 4-24 hours)
Construction crews accidentally cutting underground fiber optic cables is the #1 cause of major regional outages. A single fiber cut can affect thousands of customers.
What to do:
These require physical repair crews. Your provider should give an estimated time of restoration (ETR). If you work from home, consider a cellular backup like T-Mobile Home Internet.
Network Congestion (avg. 1-4 hours)
When too many users in an area are online simultaneously, speeds drop and connections become unreliable. Common during evenings (7-11 PM) and major events.
What to do:
Try connecting via Ethernet instead of WiFi. Restart your router. If this happens regularly, your area may be oversold — consider switching to fiber if available.
Equipment Failure (avg. 15 min - 2 hours (if your equipment))
Your modem, router, or the ISP's local node equipment can fail. Modems typically last 3-5 years; routers 4-6 years.
What to do:
Power cycle your modem and router (unplug for 30 seconds). Check all cable connections. If lights on your modem are unusual, contact your provider for a replacement.
Planned Maintenance (avg. 1-4 hours)
ISPs perform network upgrades and maintenance, usually between 2-6 AM local time. Providers are required to notify customers in advance.
What to do:
Check your email for maintenance notifications. These are scheduled and your service will return automatically.
DNS Server Issues (avg. 30 min - 2 hours)
Your ISP's DNS servers can go down, making it seem like the internet is broken when it's actually just name resolution that's failing.
What to do:
Switch to a public DNS: Google (8.8.8.8), Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), or Quad9 (9.9.9.9). This often fixes the problem immediately.
How to Prepare for Internet Outages
Get a UPS Battery Backup
A UPS keeps your modem and router running during power outages. Most provide 30-60 minutes of backup power — enough for a conference call or to save your work.
See recommended UPS modelsSet Up a Cellular Backup
T-Mobile Home Internet or a phone hotspot provides internet when your wired connection is down. Some routers have built-in LTE/5G failover.
Check T-Mobile Home Internet availabilityUse a Dual-WAN Router
Dual-WAN routers connect to two internet sources and automatically switch when one goes down. Ideal for remote workers and small businesses.
Compare dual-WAN routersSwitch DNS Preemptively
Using Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google (8.8.8.8) DNS instead of your ISP's default DNS prevents DNS-specific outages from affecting you.
Internet speed optimization guideTired of Outages? Compare Alternatives
If your provider has frequent outages, it might be time to switch. We compare plans, speeds, and reliability data from 13.1 million FCC records — so you can find a more reliable option at your address.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if Spectrum is down in my area?
Visit spectrum.net/support/internet/spectrum-internet-outages or call 1-833-267-6094. You can also check DownDetector for real-time outage reports from other users in your area. If your Spectrum modem shows no online light, it's likely a provider-side issue.
What should I do during an internet outage?
First, restart your modem and router by unplugging them for 30 seconds. Check if other devices are affected. If the outage is provider-side, check their status page for restoration estimates. For work-from-home users, a cellular hotspot is a reliable backup during outages.
How long do internet outages typically last?
Most outages are resolved within 1-4 hours. Weather-related outages can last 2-12 hours. Major fiber cuts may take 24+ hours to repair. Planned maintenance is usually completed within 1-4 hours during off-peak times (2-6 AM).
Why does my internet keep going out at night?
Nightly disconnections are usually caused by network congestion (too many users on the same node) or your router overheating. Cable internet (Spectrum, Xfinity, Cox) is most susceptible to evening congestion. Try restarting your router, connecting via Ethernet, or requesting a node upgrade from your provider.
Can I get a credit for internet outages?
Most ISPs offer service credits for extended outages (typically 4+ hours). Contact your provider's billing department after service is restored. FCC rules require ISPs to provide credits for qualifying outages. Keep a record of outage start/end times to support your claim.
Is there a way to prevent internet outages?
You can't prevent provider-side outages, but you can minimize impact: invest in a UPS battery backup for your modem/router ($50-100), keep a cellular hotspot as backup, use a dual-WAN router that auto-switches between connections, and consider having two different ISPs if reliable connectivity is critical.