Is Verizon Internet Down? (2024)

Find out if you're in a Verizon outage and get tips on getting back online fast

Is Verizon Internet Down? (1) by Chili Palmer
Edited by Jessica Brooksby

Jul 17, 2024 Share
Brand Guides, How-To

Verizon offers 5G home internet, LTE home internet, Fios fiber internet, DSL internet, and mobile phone data in the U.S. You can have an internet outage on any connection type, but our reporting shows outages are not common. They’re usually pretty short too.

We’ll help you find out if there’s a Verizon outage where you live and give you steps to get back online. Then, we’ll give you the facts you need to decide if it’s time to switch internet providers.

On this page:

Troubleshooting tips | Verizon outage refunds | Leave a Verizon review | Customer feedback | Verizon network improvements | How Verizon compares | FAQs

On this page:

  • Troubleshooting tips
  • Verizon outage refunds
  • Leave a Verizon review
  • Customer feedback
  • Verizon network improvements
  • How Verizon compares
  • FAQs

How to find out if Verizon internet is down

If you think you might have a Verizon outage, the first thing to do is check your home setup. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Try logging on with a different device, such as a gaming console, smart TV, or smartphone.

Step 2: Check your Verizon wireless gateway (router + modem). A solid white light means you’re connected, a blinking white means the system is setting up, and an amber or red light means no connection.

Step 3: Check your Ethernet and power cables to make sure they are connected securely and haven’t been damaged.

Step 4: Restart (or unplug and reboot) your affected devices and your gateway. A full reset usually takes about 10 minutes.

Step 5: Check your My Verizon app or Verizon account for any outage-related notifications.

Check the lights on your gateway

Is Verizon Internet Down? (2)

Verizon’s 5G gateway with a steady white light showing a steady internet connection. Photo by Katie Garza | HighSpeedInternet.com.

Verizon offers wireless gateways for its Fios and 5G home internet services, and these gateways function as both a router and modem. A white light indicates your internet is connected, while a red or amber light may indicate an internet outage.

Katie Garza, a member of the HighSpeedinternet.com team, uses Verizon 5G Home Internet at her Arizona home. She says outages sometimes occur, but they are very short and much less problematic than with her previous internet provider, Cox .

“If we have an outage, it is momentary, and then it is back up. With Cox, we were constantly unplugging the router and plugging it back in and spent so much time troubleshooting.”

– Katie Garza, a Verizon 5G Home Internet customer

Katie’s husband, David, uses their 5G internet connection for his photography and videography work and sometimes complains about slow uploads but otherwise says Verizon 5G is better than other internet options in the area.

Learn more and troubleshoot your Verizon connection

  • How To Set Up Verizon 5G Home Internet
  • No Internet Connection? How to Troubleshoot Internet Issues
  • 6 Reasons Why Your Home Internet Is So Unreliable
  • Modem and Router Lights Explained
  • How Often Should You Reboot Your Router?

Still can’t get online? Contact Verizon

If you can’t get online and can’t figure out why, it’s time to reach out to Verizon. Here are the best ways:

Verizon internet outage stats

Internet providers like Verizon don’t like to say how often their networks go down. That’s why we asked real customers of each Verizon service how often they experience outages at home. Here’s what we found out:

Is Verizon Internet Down? (3)

Data gathered from the HighSpeedInternet.com 2023 customer satisfaction survey.

Verizon customers had good things to say about the reliability of the network. As expected, Fios was by far the most reliable internet type from Verizon. Less than 10% of customers reported frequent problems with their service.

Verizon 5G customers also came out ahead of average, with about one customer in six reporting frequent outages or slowdowns. That makes sense because the reliability of fixed wireless internet (such as Verizon’s 5G and LTE offerings) depends on how far you are from the nearest tower and how busy the network is at any given time.

Verizon doesn’t offer new DSL connections anymore, but some internet customers may have access only to the older copper wiring Verizon uses for its landline telephone services. We haven’t talked to those customers since 2023, but when we did, they reported slowdowns and outages that were just barely higher than the national average.

Are Verizon internet customers satisfied?

Our survey went beyond asking about the frequency of problems. We also asked about customer satisfaction because that’s what really matters when you’re deciding which internet service to order for your home.

Here’s what Verizon customers told us about each connection type.

Is Verizon Internet Down? (4)

Data gathered from the HighSpeedInternet.com customer satisfaction survey. Satisfaction figures represent the percentage of customers for each service who say they are “completely” or “very” satisfied with the speed or reliability of their internet service.

Like with outage and speed stats, satisfaction stats from Verizon customers are no surprise. Fios customers are happiest, followed by Verizon 5G/LTE customers and then DSL customers. Nationwide, Fios and Verizon 5G/LTE customers like their internet service more than average, but Verizon DSL customers are a little underwhelmed.

If you’re a Verizon DSL customer and you are less than delighted with what you’re getting, check out your options for Verizon 5G/LTE or T-Mobile Home Internet . Members of our team have tested both, and we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Does Verizon offer refunds?

No, Verizon customers are not entitled to refunds if network outages occur. However, the company will repair or replace any of its equipment that has been damaged due to bad weather.

The no-refunds policy isn’t great, but we like how transparent Verizon is about its network performance. For every Fios tier, Verizon says actual speeds match or exceed advertised speeds. For DSL customers, actual speeds fall within advertised ranges (but never exceed them). Actual results for 5G and LTE home internet are not reported, but you can find a range of reported speeds toward the bottom of the report.

Pro tip: Availability and uptime measure different things

In geek speak, network reliability is referred to as uptime. The fewer outages a service has over time, the higher its uptime percentage.

In the real world, it’s easy to confuse uptime with availability. When you’re shopping for internet service on sites like HighSpeedInternet.com, availability means how many addresses within a city or region can purchase service from a provider like Verizon. In other words, availability means whether you can get service at your address, not how often the service is operational.

Leave a review about your Verizon service

If you’re a Verizon customer, we want to hear from you! Your honest reviews help us give better advice to other customers looking for great home internet. Once you’re done, check out what other Verizon customers have to say.

Write a Verizon internet review Read other Verizon reviews

Verizon customer feedback

We analyzed hundreds of real reviews from Verizon customers to learn more about their experiences with reliability. Below are snippets from some of the most helpful ones.

Quotes from customers*

“Verizon has been an extremely reliable service. I have not experienced an outage, and very rarely are there slowdowns. I think the price is reasonable. The only thing that could be better is the wired Ethernet.”
–Verizon Fios customer

“My internet has always been reliable. For a good price, it is way more reliable than those around me with other providers.”
–Verizon 5G/LTE home internet customer

“My experience with Verizon has been quite good. The internet service has steadily improved, both with regard to reliability and to speed. I have also successfully renegotiated my service agreement several times to get a better price. Customer service is exceptional.”
–Verizon Fios customer

“Verizon is a fine internet service provider. The area I live in is horrible for service, but the Verizon service works the best it can under the conditions.”
–Verizon DSL customer

* Sourced from customers in all regions of the United States as part of the 2023 Customer Satisfaction Survey. We did not collect personal info such as names and addresses.

Verizon internet by the numbers

8.89%: Percent of homes and businesses in the U.S. that have access to Verizon Fios internet
19.5%: Percent of homes and businesses in the U.S. that have access to Verizon 5G and LTE home internet
65%: Percent of Verizon Fios customers who say they rarely or never experience slowdowns
49%: Percent of Verizon 5G/LTE home internet customers who say they rarely or never experience slowdowns
41%: Percent of Verizon DSL customers who say they rarely or never experience slowdowns

Check your Verizon internet speed

Verizon mobile infrastructure upgrades

Verizon has been busy upgrading its 5G network across the country in recent years, with special focus in places like Washington, D.C., Alaska, South Carolina, and along the Jersey Shore. This has meant new cell towers, upgraded capacity on existing towers, and additional bandwidth. The company has also been busy building new fiber for its towers. By September of 2023, it boasted 57,000 miles of new fiber, according to a press release about the expansion.

The upgrades to the mobile network will result in faster and more reliable service, but may result in short-term network outages. If they affect you, you’ll get a text message or email directly from Verizon.

Learn what to do if you don’t have phone service.

Verizon Fios expansion

Verizon is upgrading its Fios home internet network too. The figures are a little murky, but a recent report quoted a Verizon executive saying it had upgraded 5.2 million circuits from copper (DSL) to fiber by October of 2023. That meant 63 offices were upgraded, but it’s unclear how much copper infrastructure remains.

In 2023, Verizon announced fiber builds in Massachusetts, Delaware, upstate New York, and Virginia. Much of that buildout is supported by taxpayer funding.

If you don’t already have DSL internet from Verizon, there’s no way to get it. However, you may be eligible for Verizon 5G/LTE home internet .

Is Verizon Internet Down? (5)

Is Verizon Internet Down? (6)

Tired of Verizon outages and slowdowns?

Enter your zip code below for a list of plans from all your local internet providers.

Read more about Verizon and 5G home internet:

  • Is Bundling Verizon Phone and Internet Worth It?
  • 5G Fixed Wireless Internet: Why You Should Try It
  • Verizon Internet Review
  • Verizon 5G Home Internet Review
  • Everything You Need To Know About Verizon Hotspots

How Verizon compares

Verizon competes with other mobile providers in every state. For Fios home internet, Verizon’s biggest footprint is in the Northeast. You can get it in the following states:

  • New York
  • Massachusetts
  • A tiny portion of New Hampshire
  • Connecticut
  • New Jersey
  • Maryland
  • Delaware
  • Virginia
  • Pennsylvania

Which internet providers are available to you depends on your exact address, but below is a list of providers that compete directly with Verizon Fios. Here’s a look at how prices and customer ratings compare.

ProviderCustomer satisfaction score*Starting priceShop online
Is Verizon Internet Down? (7) 3.9$35.00/mo.

ViewPlans for Verizon Home Internet

3.6$39.99/mo.

ViewPlans for Windstream

3.4$19.99/mo.§

ViewPlans for Mediacom

3.3$54.95/mo.||

ViewPlans for EarthLink

4.1$50.00/mo.#

ViewPlans for T-Mobile Home Internet

*Ratings based on a five point system used in our 2023 Customer Satisfaction Survey. Higher is better.
See disclaimers.

Our expert take on Verizon Fios vs. local competitors

Verizon Fios offers a high-quality network, great pricing, and free equipment. It ranked in eighth place in our 2024 annual internet service review, and customers ranked it in second place (alongside Xfinity and ). If you’re tired of Verizon outages though, it may make sense to consider competitors.

Verizon vs. Windstream: You can choose between DSL or fiber internet from Windstream and Fios in Pennsylvania and rural New York. Fios is usually the better pick if your other option is Windstream’s DSL. It’s also a better choice than Windstream’s fiber plans, even though pricing is similar. That’s because Windstream hikes prices after the first year.

Verizon vs. Mediacom: You’ll have a choice between Verizon Fios and Mediacom Xtream cable internet in parts of Delaware. Fios offers faster speeds and stable prices, and we love its straightforward pricing. However, you can get cheaper internet for Mediacom for the first 12 months (before prices increase by about $100 per month). In most cases, you’ll be happier long-term with Fios.

Verizon vs. Earthlink: Earthlink offers both fiber and internet in New York, where it competes directly with Fios. Due to network quality and fewer hidden fees, we think most people will be happier with Fios, but if you’re having a lot of Verizon outages, give Earthlink a try.

Verizon 5G Home Internet vs T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Deciding between 5G or LTE fixed wireless from Verizon vs. T-Mobile depends on network coverage where you live. Generally speaking, T-Mobile 5G is going to work better in highly populated areas and Verizon 5G/LTE is better in rural areas. Both providers give you the best possible deal if you bundle with their mobile phone services.

Verizon FAQs

How do I know if Verizon is down in my area?

First, try to get online with a different device. If that doesn’t work, check your MyVerizon app or visit the Verizon Network Status page to check reported outages.

If my Verizon cell service is down, can I still get Fios internet?

Yes, you can usually connect on Fios even if there’s a Verizon mobile outage. The networks use separate infrastructure, so an outage on one service is not likely to cause an outage on the other.

Why isn't Verizon internet working?

If you have Verizon Fios, the most common problems with internet service have to do with your home setup or your account. Check your cables and connections and restart everything. If you have Verizon 5G/LTE, network outages are more common but usually resolve themselves within a few minutes.

If you’ve already waited several minutes, try a simple restart. If that doesn’t work, disconnect everything from power, wait several seconds, and then plug it all back in and wait about 10 minutes for the system to reboot fully.

How do I check my (Verizon) signal?

The best way to check your signal on Verizon 5G or Fios internet is to run a speed test. If it doesn’t work on one browser, give it a try on another browser. If that doesn’t work, try the test from our free mobile app.

If nothing works, check your gateway. A steady white light means you’re connected, and a blinking white light means the network is setting up. Amber or red lights mean you have no connection. If that’s what you’re seeing, check your Verizon account or contact Verizon support.

Why is my Verizon Wi-Fi connected but I don't have internet?

If you can connect to your Wi-Fi but can’t connect to the internet, it means there’s a problem between your Verizon gateway and the rest of the internet. That’s because your Verizon gateway acts as both modem and router, so it has two jobs: translate electric signals from the outside internet and create a local network for those devices.

If you can sign onto your network, the Wi-Fi gateway is doing half of its job and you have a local network. But if you can’t access the internet on the devices on that network, there may be a Verizon outage or a problem with the cables and connections outside your house. First, try restarting your gateway and your devices. If that doesn’t work, reach out to Verizon support.

Does Verizon Fios internet work when the power is out?

No, you can’t get internet or TV service from Fios if there’s a power outage at your address. However, you may be able to make voice calls if you have a battery backup unit installed on your ONT (the box that connects to your Wi-Fi gateway with an Ethernet cable). If you have a battery backup from Verizon and it has a brand-new 12-volt battery, the charge should last about eight hours.

Once the power is back on, your internet should come back online automatically. If it doesn’t, you may need to reset your ONT.

Disclaimers

Verizon
w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms.

Windstream

With $5 Auto Pay for each month the customer is enrolled in AutoPay throughout the life of the customer. Available to new and existing customers. Price duration for 3 years.

§Mediacom

For 1 year. Plus activation, installation, modem rental, taxes & fees. Price includes $10/mo discount for autopay and paperless billing.

Earthlink

with a 12 month contract. Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas

#T-Mobile 5G home internet

w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms.

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Author - Chili Palmer

Chili Palmer covers breaking news, satellite internet, mobile connectivity, and streaming services for HighSpeedInternet.com. Previously writing under the name Rebecca Palmer, Chili is passionate about providing accurate and accessible information any time you're trying to connect … whether you already speak geek or just got your first smartphone.

Editor - Jessica Brooksby

Jessica loves bringing her passion for the written word and her love of tech into one space at HighSpeedInternet.com. She works with the team’s writers to revise strong, user-focused content so every reader can find the tech that works for them. Jessica has a bachelor’s degree in English from Utah Valley University and seven years of creative and editorial experience. Outside of work, she spends her time gaming, reading, painting, and buying an excessive amount of Legend of Zelda merchandise.

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Is Verizon Internet Down? (2024)

FAQs

Why isn't my Verizon home Internet working? ›

When all else fails, try unplugging the router and modem for about 60 seconds, to reset them, then plug them back in. This will reset them with the ISP and may fix the problem. If that didn't do it, the next step to try is manually removing and re-adding the Wi-Fi network from the device's settings.

Why do I keep losing my Verizon internet connection? ›

Rebooting (turning off and then back on) your router solves most Wi-Fi issues. Upon rebooting newer model routers generally select the least crowded frequencies. If you have a dual-band router like the Fios Quantum Gateway, try enabling both 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

Why is my Verizon Internet so bad lately? ›

Your service provider has put a bandwidth restriction. The high-network usage apps are running in the background. Too many devices are connected to your network. There's a local network outage or Verizon services are under maintenance.

Why is my Verizon 5G internet so slow? ›

these may be the reasons: Blocked signal – Factors beyond our control can cause unstable or slow internet, data and upload speeds. These include being far from network cell sites, electronic device interference, obstructions, building materials or construction, terrain, geography and even heavy foliage.

How do I find out if Verizon has an outage in my area? ›

To see if there are any mobile phone or Verizon Home Internet (5G Home or LTE Home) network outages in your area, visit our Check network status page. Verizon Fios Home Internet and TV customers can visit our residential Service outage information page.

How do I reset my Verizon home internet? ›

How to reset your router to restore factory default settings
  1. Locate the Reset button on the back of your router.
  2. With the router powered on, use the pointed end of a paperclip or similar object to press and hold the Reset button for 15 seconds.
  3. Wait for the router to fully reset and power back on.

Why has Verizon service gotten worse? ›

They are unplugging 3G, towers to save money. So yes, V signal is getting worse as old technologies are removed, especially in less traveled areas. Theoretically, 5G is replacing them, but not quickly. And, my "Verizon 5G phone" is old enough that it does not get the frequencies V is actually using.

How can I improve my Verizon home internet? ›

Internet Congestion and Fios Speeds
  1. If connecting with Wi-Fi, try moving your device closer to the router.
  2. Remove other devices off your network and close any other applications on your computer. Additional connections can slow down your Wi-Fi speed.
  3. Additional troubleshooting methods can be found here.

Why does Verizon throttle internet? ›

When a large number of users are online and using data-intensive apps simultaneously, it can lead to network congestion. To manage this, ISPs may throttle the Internet speed during peak hours. Data caps and usage limits. Some ISPs impose data caps or usage limits on their plans.

Does weather affect Verizon 5G home internet? ›

Does Verizon 5G Home Internet work in bad weather? Weather can affect wireless internet by disrupting radio wave pathways. However, some Verizon 5G Home Internet customers have reported that their internet continued to work during storms and power outages.

Why is my internet so bad when I have 5G? ›

5G's higher frequency bands cannot penetrate certain solid materials, significantly reducing signal strength inside a home or apartment. Apartment complexes, homes, or other large structures can obstruct communication with a 5G cell tower, leading to weaker signal reception and slower speeds.

How can I make my Verizon 5G Wi-Fi faster? ›

Optimize the Verizon 5G Internet Gateway location
  1. Look up your nearby towers. ...
  2. Run speed tests with your Verizon Internet Gateway at the windows closest to each nearby tower (If you have multiple floors, perform this process on each floor).
  3. Place your Verizon Internet Gateway at the location with the fastest data speeds.
Jul 24, 2024

What do I do if my home internet is not working? ›

Top 5 quick fixes for internet issues
  1. Restart your modem and router or internet gateway (modem/router combo) An equipment restart is the golden rule of internet troubleshooting. ...
  2. Check your wires and cables. ...
  3. Move your router to a better spot. ...
  4. Test a different website or online activity. ...
  5. Check for an outage.
Jan 4, 2024

Why did my Wi-Fi suddenly stop working? ›

Common reasons why the internet is not working. There can be a number of reasons for having no internet, even when the Wi-Fi symbol shows that you're connected. The most common cause is a problem with your router or modem, or a loose cable, but your internet can also fail because of a more technical reason.

Why can't i connect to my home internet? ›

There could be any number of reasons you can't reach the internet: The firewall might be malfunctioning, the wireless signal might be blocked or too weak to use, the router might be experiencing issues, there could be IP address conflicts . . . the list goes on.

Why is my Verizon box not connecting to internet? ›

Unplug your router for 30 seconds, plug it back in and try viewing again. If you have a network interface module (NIM) at your location, make sure it is plugged in and all connections to it are secure. Check your router to make sure all connections are correct and secure.

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