how long will verizon be down

As of today (January 14, 2026), Verizon is experiencing a major nationwide network outage that began around midday Eastern Time, and there is no official ETA yet for when full service will be restored.

Current status of the outage

Verizon’s wireless network is down for many customers across the U.S., affecting both cell service and home internet (Fios and 5G Home) in many areas. Users are reporting:

• No cellular signal (phones show “SOS only” or no bars)

• Inability to make calls or send SMS texts over the cellular network

• Loss of mobile data and internet access on Verizon plans

• Some Fios and 5G Home internet customers also losing connectivity

Outage tracking site Downdetector shows over 200,000 reports in the last 24 hours, with the biggest spikes starting around 12:30 p.m. ET on January 14.

What Verizon has said

Verizon has acknowledged the issue, stating:

“We are aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers. Our engineers are engaged and are working to identify and solve the issue quickly. We understand how important reliable connectivity is and apologize for the inconvenience.”

So far, Verizon has not released a specific timeline for when service will be fully restored nationwide.

How long it might last

There is no exact “how long” estimate yet, but based on the scale and how Verizon usually handles major outages:

• If it’s a core network or routing issue, full restoration could take several more hours (possibly into the evening or overnight).

• Verizon’s own engineers are actively working on it, so service is expected to come back in waves, not all at once.

• Past major outages of this size have typically taken 6–12 hours from first reports to near-full recovery, but this can vary.

What to do while Verizon is down

Until service returns, here are a few practical steps:

• Use Wi‑Fi calling and messaging apps
  If Wi‑Fi is working (e.g., at home, work, or a café), turn on Wi‑Fi calling and use apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, Signal, or Google Messages to stay in touch.

• Check Verizon’s status page
  Visit Verizon’s official network status page (if it’s reachable) for updates on affected areas and progress.

• Monitor outage maps and news
  Sites like Downdetector and tech news outlets are posting live updates; they can help confirm if the problem is local or widespread.

• Contact support if needed
  If the outage is still ongoing tomorrow, contact Verizon support for account- specific help or possible service credits.

When to expect service back

Right now, the best guess is that most areas will see service restored sometime later today or by early tomorrow (January 15), but that depends on what’s causing the outage. Verizon will likely post a more precise timeline once they’ve fully diagnosed the root cause.

If you’re in a critical situation (medical, safety, or work emergency), it’s safest to switch to another carrier’s network (if possible) or use a landline until Verizon is back up.

TL;DR
Verizon is down nationwide as of January 14, 2026, with no exact “how long” yet. Engineers are working on it, but full restoration could take several more hours or into tomorrow; use Wi‑Fi calling and messaging apps in the meantime.