How to know if Verizon is down in your area

Verizon's status page is the fastest way to check. Go to verizon.com/about/status and enter your zip code — it will show you whether outages are reported in your area right now. If nothing shows up, the problem is almost certainly on your end, not Verizon's network.

You can also text "VERIZON" to 22611, and Verizon will send you a message about outages near you. This works even if your data is not working, because text messages use a different part of the network. If you have no signal at all, find a WiFi network and use the status page instead.

Before you assume an outage, restart your phone. Power it completely off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. This fixes the problem about half the time — your phone's connection to the tower gets stuck, and a restart clears it. If you have a home internet device (like a Verizon Fios box or a 5G home internet gateway), unplug it for 30 seconds and plug it back in the same way.

Key Takeaways

  • Check verizon.com/about/status with your zip code to see if Verizon has reported an outage in your area.
  • Restart your phone or internet device completely — power off, wait 30 seconds, then power back on — before assuming the problem is on Verizon's side.
  • Text "VERIZON" to 22611 to get outage information by text message, which works even if your data is down.
  • If the status page shows no outage and restarting does not fix it, the problem is usually your device, your account, or your bill payment status.

What to check on your phone or device

If the status page shows no outage, look at your phone's signal bars. If you see bars but no data, airplane mode may be on — swipe down from the top of your screen and look for an airplane icon. If it is highlighted, tap it to turn airplane mode off. Wait 10 seconds for your phone to reconnect to the network.

Check whether your bill is current. If you have not paid your Verizon bill, the company may have suspended your service. Log into your Verizon account online or in the My Verizon app to see your balance. If you owe money, you can pay when ready through the app or website, and service usually comes back within an hour.

If you have a data limit and you have used it all, Verizon slows your data to nearly unusable speeds rather than cutting it off completely. This feels like an outage because pages load so slowly. Check your data usage in the My Verizon app — it shows how much of your monthly allowance you have used. If you have hit your limit, you can pay for extra data or wait until your billing cycle resets.

When the problem is your phone, not the network

Your phone might not be connecting to Verizon's network even though the network is working. This happens when your phone's SIM card — the tiny chip that identifies your phone to Verizon — gets loose or stops working. Power off your phone, remove the SIM card (usually in a small tray on the side), look for dirt or damage, and reinsert it firmly. Power the phone back on.

If you have recently switched phones, the new phone might not be compatible with Verizon's network, or it might need an update. Verizon's website has a tool at verizon.com/about/network/device-check where you can enter your phone's model and see whether it works on their network. If your phone is compatible but still not connecting, go to Settings, then About Phone (or About Device), and check whether a system update is waiting. Install it and restart.

Older phones sometimes stop working on Verizon's network because the company has shut down older technology. If your phone is more than five or six years old and suddenly stops getting signal, this may be why. Verizon's website lists which phones no longer work on their network — search "Verizon 3G shutdown" to find the list.

What happens during a real outage

When Verizon has a genuine outage, it affects many people in the same area at once. The status page will show it clearly. During an outage, you will have no signal or data, and text messages may not send. Verizon usually posts an estimated time for when service will return, though that estimate often changes.

There is nothing you can do to speed up an outage repair — it is a network problem that only Verizon's engineers can fix. Restarting your phone will not help. Your best option is to find a WiFi network and use that for calls and messages while you wait. If you are on WiFi, you can still use Verizon's apps and services even though cellular is down.

Verizon sometimes offers bill credits for outages that last more than a few hours. After service is restored, check your account in the My Verizon app to see whether a credit has been applied. If a major outage affected you and no credit appears after a few days, you can contact Verizon customer service to request one.

How to contact Verizon if nothing fixes it

If the status page shows no outage, you have restarted your device, your bill is paid, and you still have no service, contact Verizon. Call 611 from any Verizon phone, or call 908-559-4899 from another phone. Have your phone number and account PIN ready — you can find your PIN in the My Verizon app under Account Settings.

Verizon's customer service can see whether your account is active, whether your SIM card is registered correctly, and whether there are any problems on their end that the status page did not catch. They can also walk you through more advanced troubleshooting steps specific to your phone model. If your device is broken, they can help you order a replacement.

The difference between an outage and slow speeds

An outage means you have no signal or data at all. Slow speeds mean you have a connection, but it is moving at a crawl. These are different problems with different causes. If your data is just slow, you have likely hit your data limit, you are in an area with network congestion, or your phone is far from a tower. Moving to a different location or waiting until later in the day often helps.

If you are consistently slow in the same location, you can report it to Verizon through the My Verizon app. Go to Support, then Report Network Issues, and describe where the problem happens. Verizon uses these reports to identify areas where they need to add capacity. This does not fix your problem when ready, but it helps the company plan upgrades.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if Verizon is down for a long time?

Verizon usually credits your account automatically for outages lasting several hours, though the credit may take a few days to appear. If you had an outage that lasted longer than a few hours and no credit shows up after a week, contact customer service at 611 to request one. Keep a record of when the outage happened and how long it lasted.

Why does my phone say "no service" but my neighbor's phone works?

This usually means the problem is your phone or account, not the network. Your SIM card may be loose, your account may be suspended, or your phone may not be compatible with Verizon's current network. Restart your phone first, then check your bill payment status in the My Verizon app. If both are fine, contact Verizon customer service.

Does Verizon send notifications when there is an outage?

Verizon does not automatically text you about outages. You have to check the status page yourself or text "VERIZON" to 22611. If you want to know about outages in your area, you can follow Verizon's Twitter account (@VerizonSupport), which posts about major outages, though it is not always updated in real time.

What if I have WiFi calling turned on but still cannot make calls?

WiFi calling should work as long as you are connected to a WiFi network and your account is active. If it is not working, restart your phone and make sure WiFi calling is actually turned on in your settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > WiFi Calling. On Android, go to Settings > Advanced Calling > WiFi Calling. If it is on and still not working, turn it off and back on again.