How to learn about Comcast is down right now
The fastest way to check is Comcast's own status page at comcast.com/status. Enter your zip code and it will show you whether there is a known outage in your area, how many customers are affected, and when Comcast expects service to return. This page updates in real time as technicians work on the problem.
If the status page shows no outage but your internet is still down, the problem is likely on your side — your modem, router, or the line running into your house. If it shows an outage, you know to wait rather than troubleshoot.
You can also call Comcast directly at 1-800-934-6489. A representative can tell you the same information and may offer a credit to your account if the outage lasted several hours. Have your account number ready, which you can find on your bill.
Key Takeaways
- Comcast's status page at comcast.com/status shows outages by zip code and updates as repairs happen.
- If the status page shows no outage but you have no internet, the problem is usually your modem, router, or the line into your house, not Comcast's network.
- Calling 1-800-934-6489 gives you the same outage information plus the option to request a service credit if the outage was long.
- During a widespread outage, Comcast's phone lines are often busy; the status page is usually faster.
What to check on your end before calling
Before you assume Comcast is down, restart your modem and router. Unplug the modem (the box that connects to the cable line coming into your house), wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Do the same for your router if it is a separate device. Wait two to three minutes for both to fully restart, then try connecting again.
Look at the lights on your modem. A solid green or white light usually means the modem is connected to Comcast's network. A red light, blinking red, or no light at all suggests either a problem with your modem or a real outage. If the light is red and the status page shows no outage in your area, your modem may need replacement.
Check whether you can see your router's WiFi network on your phone or computer. If you can see it but cannot connect to the internet, the problem is between your modem and Comcast, not your router. If you cannot see the WiFi network at all, restart the router again and wait a full three minutes.
What happens during a Comcast outage
When Comcast has a widespread outage, their status page usually updates within 15 to 30 minutes. The page will show the number of customers affected, the cause if it is known, and an estimated time for restoration. These estimates are often conservative — service may return sooner, but Comcast does not want to promise a time it cannot meet.
During an outage, your modem will lose its connection to Comcast's network. The lights will go dark or turn red. Your router will still work, but it will have no internet to share. Any device connected to your WiFi will show "no internet connection" even though the WiFi itself is working.
If you have a phone service through Comcast (Comcast Voice), that will also go down during an outage. Cell phones will still work if you have cellular service. If you need to reach someone during an outage and your only phone is Comcast Voice, use a cell phone or a neighbor's phone.
Why outages happen and how long they usually last
Comcast outages in a neighborhood usually come from damage to the cable line itself — a car hitting a pole, construction work hitting an underground line, or weather damage to above-ground cables. These are the most common cause and usually affect a few blocks to a few neighborhoods at a time.
Larger outages that affect a whole city or region usually come from equipment failure at a hub station or a major fiber line going down. These are less common but take longer to fix because technicians have to physically travel to the damaged equipment and replace it.
Most outages last between 30 minutes and four hours. Outages caused by weather or accidents can last longer if the damage is severe or if the damaged line is hard to reach. Comcast publishes the estimated restoration time on the status page, but that time can change as technicians assess the damage.
When to contact Comcast about an outage
If the status page shows an outage in your area, you do not need to call. Comcast already knows about it and is working on it. Calling during a major outage will put you in a long queue because thousands of other customers are calling too.
Call Comcast if the status page shows no outage but you have no internet and restarting your modem did not fix it. A representative can check your line remotely and may be able to restart your modem from their end. If they cannot fix it over the phone, they will schedule a technician visit.
If an outage lasted more than a few hours, you can request a service credit after service is restored. Comcast does not always offer credits automatically, so you may need to ask. The credit is usually a few dollars off your next bill.
Outage alerts and notifications
Comcast can send you a text or email when an outage is detected in your area, but you have to set this up in advance. Log into your Comcast account online, go to Account Settings, and look for Outage Notifications or Service Alerts. You can choose to receive texts, emails, or both.
These alerts usually arrive within 15 minutes of the outage starting. They are useful if you want to know right away whether the problem is on Comcast's side, especially if you work from home and need to know whether to expect internet back soon.
You can also follow Comcast's social media accounts or check their status page regularly if you live in an area with frequent outages. Some neighborhoods have older cable infrastructure that fails more often than others.
What to do if outages happen often in your area
If you experience outages more than once or twice a year, you may want to consider a backup internet option. Some people add a mobile hotspot plan to their cell phone service — most carriers offer 5 to 20 gigabytes of data per month for $10 to $20 extra. This gives you internet on your phone and laptop during an outage, though it is slower than home internet.
If your area has another internet provider available — fiber, DSL, or fixed wireless — you could switch entirely or keep Comcast as a backup. Check what is available at your address on the provider's website. Fixed wireless (sometimes called 5G home internet) has become more available in recent years and often has fewer outages than cable.
If you rent and cannot switch providers, talk to your landlord about the outage history. Some landlords will negotiate with providers or push for infrastructure upgrades if outages are costing tenants money or productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if it is my modem or Comcast?
Check the light on your modem. If it is solid green or white, your modem is connected to Comcast's network and the problem is likely on your side. If it is red, blinking, or off, either your modem is broken or Comcast is down. Check the status page to see if there is an outage. If there is not, your modem probably needs replacement.
Can I get a refund if Comcast is down?
Comcast does not automatically refund money for outages. You can request a service credit (usually a few dollars off your next bill) if an outage lasted several hours. Call 1-800-934-6489 after service is restored and ask. You may need to reference the outage date and time.
What if the status page says there is no outage but I still have no internet?
Restart your modem and router. If that does not work, the problem is likely your modem, the cable line into your house, or your router. Call Comcast at 1-800-934-6489 and they can check your line remotely. If they cannot fix it over the phone, they will schedule a technician to visit your home.
Do I need to do anything when an outage ends?
Usually no. Your modem will automatically reconnect to Comcast's network once service is restored. If it does not reconnect within a few minutes, restart the modem manually. Your internet should work normally after that.
Why does Comcast's status page sometimes not show an outage I am experiencing?
The status page shows outages that affect multiple customers in a neighborhood or larger area. If only your house or a few houses are affected, it may not appear on the page. This usually means the problem is your modem, your router, or the line running into your house specifically, not a network-wide outage.