Is Verizon Fios Down? How to Check Fios Outages and Fix Connection Issues

Verizon Fios is known for being one of the most reliable internet services in the United States, thanks to its fiber-optic network that runs directly to your home. But even fiber connections go down sometimes. If your Fios internet just stopped working, this guide will help you figure out what happened and how to get back online as quickly as possible.

Is Verizon Fios Down Right Now?

Fios outages are less common than cable internet outages, but they do happen. When they occur, the problem is usually with Verizon's network infrastructure rather than your home equipment. To confirm, switch your phone to cellular data and run a speed test on Pong.com. If cellular works but your Fios Wi-Fi does not, the issue is on Verizon's end or with your Fios router.

Check the Optical Network Terminal (ONT), the small box where the fiber enters your home, usually in a basement, garage, or utility closet. If the power light is on but the internet light is off or flashing, the problem is between your ONT and Verizon's network. Visit our outage tracker to check for reports from other Fios users in your area.

How to Check Verizon Fios Outage Status

Verizon provides several ways to check whether your Fios service is affected by an outage.

• My Fios App: The My Fios app is the most informative tool for checking service status. It can detect problems with your connection, check for local outages, and even run remote diagnostics on your equipment. Download it from the App Store or Google Play.
• Verizon Service Outage Page: Visit verizon.com/support/residential/service-outage and enter your address or sign in to your account. Verizon will show any known outages in your area.
• Pong.com Outage Tracker: Our outage tracker collects real-time outage reports from Fios customers across all Verizon service areas. This is helpful for spotting outages that Verizon has not yet confirmed.
• Verizon Support on Social Media: Message @VerizonSupport on Twitter/X or use the Verizon Support Facebook page. The social media team can often confirm outages faster than the phone support line.
• Downdetector: Check downdetector.com/status/verizon-fios for live outage reports and a geographic heatmap.
• Call Verizon Fios Support: Dial 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966). The automated system checks for known outages before routing you to a human agent.

Common Reasons Verizon Fios Goes Down

Fiber-optic networks like Fios are inherently more reliable than cable or DSL because fiber is immune to electromagnetic interference and can carry signals over long distances without degradation. However, fiber networks have their own set of vulnerabilities.

• Fiber line cuts: The most common cause of Fios outages is physical damage to fiber-optic cables. Construction crews, landscapers, and even rodents can sever or damage the delicate glass fibers.
• ONT power failure: Your ONT requires electrical power to operate. During power outages, most ONTs have a battery backup that lasts 4 to 8 hours for basic service. Once the battery dies, your internet goes down even if the fiber network is fine.
• Central office equipment failure: Verizon routes all Fios traffic through central offices. If equipment at a central office fails, it can affect thousands of customers in the surrounding area.
• Software and firmware issues: Verizon occasionally pushes firmware updates to ONTs and routers. Rarely, these updates can cause connectivity problems that require a reboot or rollback.
• Planned maintenance and upgrades: Verizon performs network maintenance to increase capacity and improve reliability. These windows are typically short (1 to 2 hours) and scheduled during early morning hours.
• Extreme weather: While fiber itself is weather-resistant, severe storms can knock down utility poles carrying fiber cables or damage the powered equipment along the network path.

Quick Fixes If Verizon Fios Is Down

Fios connections involve two main pieces of equipment in your home: the Optical Network Terminal (ONT) and the Fios router. Troubleshooting both can often resolve the issue.

1. Check the ONT first. Locate it (usually in the basement, garage, or on an exterior wall) and verify the power light is solid green. If it is off, check the power cord and any battery backup unit.
2. Restart the ONT by unplugging it from power, waiting 30 seconds, and plugging it back in. Wait 3 to 5 minutes for it to fully reinitialize its connection to Verizon's network.
3. Restart your Fios router separately after the ONT has reconnected. Unplug the router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. The Fios router takes about 2 minutes to fully boot up.
4. Check the Ethernet cable running from the ONT to your router. This cable can become loose, especially if the ONT is in a utility area where it might get bumped. Unplug and firmly replug both ends.
5. Open the My Fios app and run the built-in troubleshooter. It can detect issues with your equipment and sometimes fix them remotely by sending reset commands to your ONT.
6. Try connecting a device directly to the ONT with an Ethernet cable (bypassing the router). If this works, the problem is with your Fios router, not the fiber connection.
7. If nothing resolves the issue, call Verizon at 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966) or schedule a technician visit through the My Fios app.

How to Test If Your Fios Connection Is Working

Fios is a symmetrical fiber service, meaning your upload and download speeds should be very close to each other. If you are on a 300/300 Mbps plan, both your download and upload should test near 300 Mbps. Run a speed test on Pong.com to verify your actual performance. Asymmetric results (fast download, slow upload, or vice versa) can indicate a hardware issue with your ONT.

For a deeper analysis, use our connection diagnostics tool to check latency, jitter, and packet loss. Fios typically has excellent latency (under 10ms to most servers), so if your latency is elevated, there may be a network issue even if your speeds look acceptable.

Visit the Verizon Fios provider page on Pong.com to see average speed test results from other Fios customers. Fios consistently ranks among the top-performing ISPs, so if your results are significantly lower than average, there is a problem worth investigating.

What to Do During a Verizon Fios Outage

Fios outages tend to be shorter than cable outages, but when they happen, you still need a plan to stay connected.

• Enable your phone's hotspot: If you have a Verizon Wireless plan, you likely have hotspot data included. Enable it and connect your devices. Verizon's 5G and LTE networks can provide strong speeds for temporary use.
• Check your ONT battery backup: If the outage is power-related, your ONT battery may still be providing basic service. Conserve battery by avoiding heavy usage until power is restored.
• Use public Wi-Fi: Many Verizon retail stores offer free Wi-Fi. Libraries, cafes, and co-working spaces are also good options during an outage.
• Track the outage in the My Fios app: Verizon usually provides estimated restoration times and updates through the app. Check it periodically for new information.
• Report the issue to Verizon: Even if an outage is already known, additional reports help Verizon understand the geographic scope and can influence how many repair crews are dispatched.
• Plan ahead for future outages: If you work from home, consider setting up a cellular backup solution such as a dedicated LTE/5G hotspot device.

Verizon Fios Outage History

Verizon Fios has a strong reliability record compared to cable and DSL providers. The fiber-to-the-home architecture eliminates many of the failure points found in older network technologies. That said, no ISP is immune to outages, and Fios has experienced both localized and regional disruptions over the years.

Because Fios is a premium service, Verizon tends to prioritize outage restoration. If you are experiencing persistent issues, visit our guide on why your internet is slow for a comprehensive troubleshooting approach.