Internet cuts out or gets worse when it rains

Symptoms

• Internet slows down or drops specifically during or right after rain
• Problem clears up once the weather dries out
• Modem's signal levels look normal on dry days but degrade when wet
• Issue has been happening for multiple rain events, not just once

Likely causes

• CommonWater intrusion into an outdoor cable connector or spliceA tiny crack or poor seal in an outdoor connection can let moisture in, which degrades the signal specifically when wet.
• CommonDamaged or aging outdoor line insulationCables exposed to years of weather can develop small cracks that only cause problems once water gets in during rain.
• PossibleUnderground line issue where water table rises during heavy rainIn some cases, buried lines with damaged sheathing can be affected by ground moisture during and after storms.
• PossibleProvider-side equipment (like a neighborhood box) with a moisture issueSome outages during rain are due to water affecting equipment further up the line, not on your property at all.

What to do

1. Note exactly when the problem starts relative to the rain (immediately, after heavy rain, or only during storms) to describe the pattern accurately.
2. Visually inspect any accessible outdoor cable connections at your home for visible cracks, gaps, or missing weatherproofing, without touching anything that looks damaged.
3. Check if a specific outdoor junction box or splice near your home looks worn, ask your ISP to inspect it since diagnosing this typically requires their technician.
4. Restart your modem after the rain stops to see if the connection recovers once things dry out, which supports the water-intrusion theory.
5. Report the specific 'gets worse when it rains' pattern to your ISP, since this is a well-known type of fault they can look for during a technician visit.
6. Ask if they can check for water intrusion at the nearest junction point or tap, not just at your home's entry point.
7. Expect that a confirmed weather-related line fault typically requires the cable or connector to be replaced or resealed by a technician.

When to call a pro

A pattern of internet problems specifically during rain almost always points to a line issue that needs a technician visit to locate and reseal or replace the affected cable section.

Safety