Check if the problem is your connection or a wider outage
When the internet stops working, the first thing to know is whether the problem is in your home or somewhere else in the network. If only your devices can't connect, the issue is usually your router, modem, or your internet service provider's local equipment. If websites and services are down for many people at once, that's a different problem — and you'll find out faster by checking what others are reporting than by troubleshooting your own setup.
Start by opening a website you visit every day on your phone using mobile data instead of WiFi. If it loads normally on mobile data, your home internet is the problem. If it doesn't load on mobile data either, the website or service itself may be down. This one test tells you where to look next.
Key Takeaways
- Use your phone's mobile data to test whether a website works — if it does, your home WiFi or router is the problem; if it doesn't, the website or service is down.
- Downdetector and similar status-checking sites show you in real time whether other people are reporting problems with specific websites and services.
- Your internet service provider's status page tells you whether they know about outages in your area, though they sometimes lag behind reality by 30 minutes or more.
- Restarting your modem and router in the right order — modem first, then router — fixes most home connection problems within two minutes.
- If your internet has been working but suddenly stops, check whether your service provider is doing maintenance, which they usually announce on their website or app.
Use Downdetector to see if a service is down for others
Downdetector is a website that collects reports from people experiencing problems with specific services. When you visit Downdetector.com and search for a service name — Facebook, Gmail, Netflix, your bank's website — you see a graph showing how many people reported problems in the last few hours. A sharp spike means the service went down recently. A flat line means it's working normally for most people.
The reports come from users, not from the companies themselves, so Downdetector usually knows about outages before the company posts an official notice. You can see what type of problem people are reporting — login issues, loading problems, app crashes — which helps you understand whether the service is completely down or just slow. If the graph is flat and only you can't reach the service, the problem is on your end.
Other sites like IsItDownRightNow.com and Status.io work the same way. Downdetector is the most widely used, so it usually has the most reports, but checking a second source takes 30 seconds and can confirm what you're seeing.
Check your internet service provider's status page
Your internet service provider maintains a status page that lists known outages in your area. For major providers like Comcast, Verizon, AT&T, and Charter, you can find this by searching "[your provider name] status" in Google. The page shows outages by location — you enter your zip code or address and see whether the company knows about problems affecting you.
These pages are usually accurate, but they lag behind reality. A provider might not post an outage notice until 15 to 30 minutes after customers start losing service. If your internet just went out and the status page says everything is fine, wait 15 minutes and check again. If the page still shows no outages but you still have no connection, call your provider's customer service line — they can tell you immediately whether they're aware of a problem in your neighborhood.
Most providers also have a mobile app that shows outage information. If you're on mobile data, the app is faster than loading a website.
Restart your modem and router in the correct order
If your home internet is down but your provider's status page shows no outages, restart your equipment. The correct order matters: restart the modem first, wait for it to fully boot up, then restart the router.
Unplug your modem from power and leave it unplugged for 30 seconds. Plug it back in. Wait two to three minutes for all the lights on the modem to stabilize — usually you'll see a solid green light or a light labeled "Internet" that stops blinking. Only then unplug your router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait another two minutes for the router to fully restart.
This process fixes most connection problems because it clears temporary errors in both devices. If your internet comes back after this restart, you're done. If it doesn't, the problem is likely with your service provider's equipment or your account, and you'll need to contact them.
Look for scheduled maintenance from your provider
Internet service providers sometimes schedule maintenance windows when they upgrade equipment or perform repairs. During maintenance, your internet may be slow, drop in and out, or go down completely for a few hours. Providers usually announce maintenance on their website, in their mobile app, or via email to the account holder.
Check your provider's website for a "maintenance" or "service updates" section. If you see a notice for your area with a date and time, that's why your internet is having problems. These windows are usually scheduled for early morning or late evening to affect fewer people. If maintenance is happening right now, there's nothing you can do except wait for it to finish.
If you don't see a maintenance notice and your internet is still down after restarting your equipment, contact your provider's customer service. Have your account number ready and be prepared to describe what you've already tried.
Check whether your bill is paid and your service is active
If your internet suddenly stops working and you haven't restarted your equipment yet, check whether your bill is current. Some providers automatically disconnect service if a payment is overdue, though most send warnings first. Log into your account on your provider's website or app and look at your billing status.
If your bill is overdue, that's likely why your service is down. Contact your provider to make a payment — most accept payments over the phone or through their website. Service usually comes back within 30 minutes of payment, though it can take up to a few hours.
If your bill is current and your service shows as active, the problem is not your account status. Move on to checking for outages or restarting your equipment.
What to do if nothing works
If you've checked for outages, restarted your equipment, confirmed your bill is paid, and your internet still isn't working, contact your internet service provider's customer service. Have the following information ready: your account number, the date and time your internet stopped working, what you've already tried, and whether other services in your area are also down.
Most providers offer phone support 24 hours a day. Some also offer chat support through their website or app, which can be faster if you're on mobile data. When you call, be clear about what you've already done — this helps the representative skip steps and get to the real problem faster.
If your provider says they can't send a technician for several days and you need internet immediately, ask whether they offer a mobile hotspot or temporary equipment as a workaround. Some do, especially if the outage is on their side.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my internet is down or if it's just slow?
Slow internet and no internet are different problems. If websites load but take a long time, or if video streams buffer, your internet is slow — not down. Run a speed test at Speedtest.net to see your actual speeds. If you're getting much less than your plan promises, contact your provider. If websites won't load at all and you get error messages, your internet is down.
Why does my internet go out at the same time every day?
Repeating outages at the same time usually mean your router is overheating or your modem is failing. Routers get hot when they run continuously, and heat causes them to disconnect temporarily. Try moving your router to a more open space with better airflow, or use a small fan to cool it. If outages keep happening at the same time after that, your modem may be failing and you should contact your provider for a replacement.
Can I check internet outages without using the internet?
Yes — use your phone's mobile data to visit Downdetector or your provider's status page. If you don't have mobile data, call your provider's customer service line from a phone. They can tell you immediately whether there's an outage in your area and when service is expected to return.
What's the difference between my modem and my router?
Your modem connects to your internet service provider and brings the internet signal into your home. Your router takes that signal and broadcasts it as WiFi to your devices. Both need to work for you to have internet. If only WiFi isn't working but your modem has lights on, restart just the router. If your modem has no lights or the internet light is off, restart the modem.
How long do internet outages usually last?
Most outages last between 30 minutes and two hours. Outages caused by weather or accidents can last longer — sometimes four to eight hours. Your provider's status page usually shows an estimated time for service to return, though these estimates are often wrong. If an outage has lasted longer than the estimate, call your provider to ask for an updated time.