How to check if your internet is down right now
The fastest way to know if the problem is your connection or your devices is to test your internet speed and check your provider's status page. Open a web browser on any device connected to your wifi, go to your internet provider's website, and look for a link that says "Service Status" or "Outages" — usually at the bottom of the page. If there is an outage listed for your address or neighborhood, that is your answer. If the status page shows no outages, the problem is likely on your side.
If you can still reach your provider's website, run a speed test at speedtest.net or fast.com. These sites measure how fast data is moving to and from your device. A speed test that completes means you have some internet connection, even if it feels slow. If the test fails to load at all, or if you cannot reach your provider's website, your connection may be down.
One more check: restart your modem and router. Unplug the modem (the box that connects to your wall outlet and your provider's network) for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait two minutes for it to fully restart. Then unplug your router (the box that broadcasts wifi) for 30 seconds and plug it back in. Many connection problems clear up after this step alone.
Key Takeaways
- Your provider's status page is the official source for whether an outage is happening in your area — check it before calling support.
- A speed test that loads means you have some connection; one that fails to load suggests your connection is down.
- Restarting your modem and router fixes most connection problems and takes less than five minutes.
- If your devices connect to wifi but cannot reach websites, the problem is usually your router or modem, not your provider's network.
- Your provider can see outages only in their own network — they cannot tell you if your home wifi is broken.
The difference between your wifi and your internet connection
These are two separate things, and the difference matters when you are troubleshooting. Your internet connection is the line running from your wall to your modem — it comes from your provider. Your wifi is the wireless signal your router broadcasts. You can have internet but no wifi (the modem works, the router is broken). You can have wifi but no internet (the router broadcasts fine, but the modem has no signal from your provider).
To tell which one is broken, plug a computer directly into your modem with an ethernet cable. If that computer can reach websites, your internet is working — the problem is your router or wifi. If the computer still cannot reach websites, your internet connection itself is down. Most people do not have an ethernet cable lying around, so the speed test method above is usually faster.
What to do if your provider says there is no outage
If your provider's status page shows no outages in your area, but you still cannot reach the internet, the problem is almost certainly in your home. Start with the modem and router restart described above. If that does not work, check that all cables are plugged in firmly — the cable from the wall into the modem, and the cable from the modem to the router.
If cables are connected and a restart did not help, try connecting a different device to your wifi. If one device cannot reach the internet but another can, the broken device is the problem, not your connection. If no devices can reach the internet, the problem is your modem or router. At this point, contact your provider's support line. They can run a remote test on your modem to see if it is receiving signal from their network.
Write down what you have already tried before you call — restarted the modem, checked cables, tested from multiple devices. This saves the support person time and moves you toward a solution faster.
When an outage is happening in your neighborhood
If your provider's status page shows an outage in your area, you have two choices: wait, or contact support to report it if it is not already listed. Most providers know about outages within minutes of them starting, especially in populated areas. If the outage is listed, your provider is already working on it, and checking the status page again will tell you when service is expected to return.
If you see an outage listed but your neighbors do not seem to have one, or if the outage map shows your address as unaffected but you have no connection, call your provider's support line. Outage maps are not always precise — they show neighborhoods or blocks, not individual addresses. A support person can tell you whether the outage includes your specific location.
During an outage, your modem may show red or orange lights instead of green. This is normal and does not mean your modem is broken. Once the outage is fixed, the lights will return to green and your connection will come back on its own.
How to read your modem and router lights
The lights on your modem and router tell you what is happening, though the exact colors and labels vary by brand. Most modems have lights for power, internet (or "online"), and activity. A green light usually means that part is working. A red or orange light usually means a problem. No light at all usually means that part is off or not connected.
The internet or "online" light on your modem is the most important one. If it is red or off, your modem is not receiving signal from your provider — either there is an outage, or something is wrong with your modem or the cable from the wall. If that light is green, your modem is connected to your provider's network. If your router lights are green but you still cannot reach websites, the problem is between your modem and router, or your router itself.
Do not panic if the lights flicker or change color briefly. Modems and routers restart themselves sometimes, especially after power outages. Wait a few minutes and check again.
What information your provider needs to help you
When you call your provider's support line, have this information ready: your account number (on your bill), your phone number or service address, and the colors of the lights on your modem right now. If you have already restarted the modem, tell them that. If you have run a speed test, tell them the results. If you know whether the problem started suddenly or has been getting worse over time, that helps too.
Your provider can see your modem remotely and run tests on it without you doing anything. They can also see whether there are outages affecting your area. They cannot see inside your home or test your wifi — that part is on you. If your modem is working but your wifi is not, they will tell you the modem is fine and you need to restart or replace your router.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tell if an outage is affecting just my house or my whole neighborhood?
Your provider's status page shows outages by neighborhood or block, not by individual address. If the map shows an outage in your area, it is probably affecting multiple people. If the map shows no outage but you have no connection, call support — your address might be on the edge of the outage area, or there might be a problem with just your modem.
What does it mean if my modem has power but no internet light?
The modem is on but not receiving signal from your provider. This usually means either there is an outage, or the cable from the wall is loose or damaged. Check that the cable is plugged in firmly on both ends. If it is, and the internet light is still off, there is likely an outage or a problem with your provider's network.
Why does my internet work sometimes but not other times?
This usually means your modem or router is overheating or failing. Restart both devices and make sure they have space around them for air to flow. If the problem keeps happening, your equipment may need to be replaced. Contact your provider — they can send you a new modem if yours is faulty.
Is it safe to restart my modem while I am using the internet?
No — restarting the modem will cut off your internet for a few minutes. Save any work you are doing first, then unplug it. The restart takes about two minutes total, and your connection will come back on its own.
What if my provider's website is down and I cannot check the status page?
Call your provider's support line directly — the number is on your bill. You can also check outage information on third-party sites like DownDetector, which crowdsources reports from users in your area. These sites are not official, but they can give you a quick sense of whether other people nearby are having problems too.