Where to check for internet outages right now
The fastest way to know if an outage affected your area is to check Downdetector, a site that maps outages in real time by collecting reports from users. Go to downdetector.com, search for your internet provider by name, and you'll see a graph showing when reports spiked, which services were affected (email, streaming, gaming), and user comments pinpointing neighborhoods or cities. The map shows you whether the problem was widespread or localized to your block.
Your internet provider's own status page is equally fast. Most major providers — Comcast, Verizon, AT&T, Charter, Cox — have a "service status" or "outage map" link on their homepage. Type your address or zip code and the map will tell you whether an outage is active in your area right now, when it started, and when the company expects to fix it. These pages update every few minutes.
If you want to know what happened after the fact — whether an outage occurred yesterday or last week — Downdetector keeps a historical record. Scroll down on any provider's page to see a timeline of past outages, how long each one lasted, and how many people reported it.
Key Takeaways
- Downdetector shows real-time outage reports from users and keeps a searchable history of past outages by date and provider.
- Your internet provider's own status page (usually linked from their homepage) tells you whether an outage is active in your specific address and when it started.
- Outage maps show you whether the problem affected your neighborhood only or a much larger region.
- If your internet is down but no outage is reported, the problem is likely on your side — check your router, modem, or contact your provider's support line.
How to read an outage map
Outage maps use color and density to show you where the problem is. A red or dark area means many people in that region reported service down. A light area or no color means few or no reports. Zoom in on your own address to see whether the outage touched your block or stopped a few blocks away — sometimes an outage affects one neighborhood but not the next.
The timeline on the map matters as much as the location. If the graph shows reports spiked at 2 p.m. and dropped by 4 p.m., the outage lasted about two hours. If reports are still climbing, the outage is still happening. Some maps show you the estimated time to repair; others show only when the company became aware of the problem.
What to do if you see an outage reported but your internet works
Outage maps report what users tell them, not what actually happened. If Downdetector shows an outage in your area but your connection is fine, you likely weren't affected. Outages are often hyperlocal — a fiber cut or equipment failure might knock out one neighborhood while the next one stays online. Your internet provider's map is more precise because it's based on their own network data, not user reports.
If you're seeing conflicting information between Downdetector and your provider's map, trust your provider's map. It reflects what their equipment actually detected, whereas Downdetector reflects what people thought was happening.
How to report an outage if one isn't showing up
If your internet is down but no outage appears on any map, report it to Downdetector by clicking the "Report a Problem" button on their site. You'll select your provider, describe what's not working (internet, email, streaming), and confirm your location. Downdetector uses these reports to build the map, so if enough people in your area report the same problem, it will appear within minutes.
At the same time, contact your internet provider directly — call their support line or use their mobile app to report the outage. They can check whether the problem is on their network or on your equipment. If it's on their network and not yet showing on their status page, your report helps them prioritize the repair.
Why outages happen and how long they usually last
Internet outages fall into a few categories. A fiber cut — when construction or weather damages the cable carrying data — usually affects a wide area and takes one to four hours to repair once the crew arrives. A equipment failure at a local hub or node might affect just a few blocks and can be fixed in minutes if the provider has a spare part on hand. A software issue or DDoS attack (when someone floods a network with fake traffic) can affect service across a whole city or region and may take longer to diagnose.
Most outages last under two hours. Outages longer than four hours are usually fiber cuts or major equipment failures. If an outage lasts more than a day, the provider is either waiting for parts or dealing with a problem that affects multiple systems at once.
How to stay informed during an outage
If your internet is down, you can't check a website, so use your phone's cellular data to check Downdetector or your provider's status page. Most providers also send text messages or push notifications to their app when an outage starts and when service is restored, but only if you've signed up for alerts. Check your provider's website or app settings to turn on outage notifications.
Twitter and local news sites often report major outages before they appear on official maps, especially if the outage affects a large city. Searching "[your city] internet outage" on Twitter will show you what other people are experiencing in real time.
The difference between an outage and a slow connection
An outage means your internet is completely down — you can't load any websites or send emails. A slow connection means the internet works but moves at a crawl. Outage maps only track complete outages, not slowdowns. If your connection is slow but not down, the problem is usually congestion (too many people using the network at once), a problem with your equipment, or interference with your WiFi signal.
To tell the difference, try restarting your router and modem. Unplug both, wait 30 seconds, and plug them back in. If your connection returns to normal speed, the problem was on your side. If it stays slow and no outage is reported, contact your provider — they can check whether your line is damaged or whether you're getting the speed you're paying for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see outages that happened before today?
Yes. Downdetector keeps a searchable history going back months. Go to the provider's page, scroll to the bottom, and you'll see a timeline of past outages with dates, times, and duration. Your provider's status page usually shows the last week or two of outages in a similar format.
Why does my provider's map show no outage but Downdetector does?
Your provider's map shows what their equipment detected. Downdetector shows what users reported. If the outage was very localized or if many people didn't notice it (for example, an outage at 3 a.m.), Downdetector might show reports while the provider's map shows nothing. Trust your provider's map for accuracy.
How do I know if an outage is affecting just my house or my whole neighborhood?
Check your provider's outage map and zoom in on your address. If the map shows red or orange in your area, the outage is neighborhood-wide. If your area is white or light gray, the problem is likely just your equipment. You can also ask neighbors if their internet is down — if theirs works and yours doesn't, the problem is on your side.
What should I do if my internet has been down for more than 24 hours?
Call your provider's support line and ask for a supervisor. Outages longer than a day are rare and usually mean the provider is waiting for parts or dealing with a major infrastructure problem. A supervisor can tell you what's happening, when they expect to fix it, and whether you're may have access to to a credit on your bill.
Can I get a refund if an outage cost me money?
Most providers offer a service credit (a discount on your next bill) for outages longer than a few hours, but you usually have to request it. Call or contact your provider through their app and ask for a credit. How much you get depends on how long the outage lasted and your provider's policy — some credit a few dollars, others credit a full day's service.