Internet & modems

How to check if there's an internet outage in your area

Before assuming your equipment is at fault, checking your provider's outage map, status page, or social media can quickly confirm whether the problem is a known, widespread issue rather than something specific to your home.

Difficulty
Easy
Time
5–10 minutes
DIY cost
$0
Pro cost
$0

Symptoms

  • Internet suddenly stopped working with no changes made at home
  • Modem shows a warning light suggesting no signal
  • Neighbors or nearby friends report the same issue
  • Uncertain whether to troubleshoot equipment or just wait it out

Likely causes

  • CommonPlanned or unplanned maintenance by the providerISPs sometimes take sections of their network down briefly for maintenance, occasionally with little notice.
  • CommonWidespread outage from damaged infrastructure (weather, construction, equipment failure)A cut cable, damaged equipment at a local hub, or storm damage can affect entire neighborhoods.
  • PossibleLocalized outage limited to your building or blockSome outages affect only a small number of connections fed from the same local equipment.

What to do

  1. Use your phone's cellular data (not Wi-Fi) to search for your provider's name plus 'outage map' or check their official app.
  2. Check the provider's official social media accounts (like X/Twitter) for outage announcements, which are often posted faster than the outage map updates.
  3. Look at general outage tracking sites, which aggregate user reports by ZIP code, though these are less reliable than the provider's own data.
  4. Ask a neighbor or check a neighborhood social app to see if others in your immediate area are also affected.
  5. Call your provider's automated support line, which often states known outages in your area before connecting you to a representative.
  6. If an outage is confirmed, most provider tools give an estimated restoration time; check back periodically rather than continuing to troubleshoot your own equipment.
  7. If no outage is listed anywhere and the issue seems isolated to your home, proceed with modem/router restart and cable checks.

Tools and parts

  • Phone with cellular data

When to call a pro

Not usually needed for this issue; if no outage is confirmed and equipment troubleshooting doesn't help, contact the provider directly for an account-specific diagnostic.

Safety

Generally low risk

Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.

Related guides

Operator provides AI-generated troubleshooting information. It can be wrong. For safety-critical, electrical, gas, structural, medical, automotive safety, or other high-risk problems, consult a qualified professional.