Outage guide · Updated April 18, 2026
Verizon Fios outage
Verizon Fios runs on fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, and its outage profile is very different from cable. Fiber plant is physically simpler and more reliable than coax, so per-customer outage minutes are among the lowest in the industry, but when an outage does hit, it's usually a physical fiber cut that takes 6-12 hours to splice back. Verizon's My Fios app surfaces confirmed outages quickly, and restoration texts are opt-in during the incident.
Check Verizon Fios outage status
The Verizon Fios status page is the only real-time source. Use it first, this guide explains what to do next.
This page does not reflect real-time outage status. Always check Verizon Fios's official status page (linked above) for current incidents. Our guide covers what to do, how to report the problem, and how to request a credit, but the live state of the network is only accurate on Verizon Fios's own status tools.
Service impact and typical duration
Fios Internet, Fios TV, and Fios Digital Voice all ride the same fiber drop to the ONT, so a fiber cut or ONT failure takes down all three at once. Verizon Wireless cellular service is independent and stays up unless the same event also damages a cell tower. Fios TV set-top boxes need IP connectivity for guide, on-demand, and DVR features; channels may keep working briefly on cached content but fail as soon as the box tries to contact the headend.
Software or routing incidents: 30-90 minutes. ONT reboots and provisioning issues: under 2 hours. Fiber cuts: 4-12 hours for splicing and restoration. Major weather: 24-72 hours as crews work from the substation outward.
How to report a Verizon Fios outage
The fastest way to confirm an incident and get notified when service returns.
My Fios app
Open the app and tap Internet or TV. A confirmed outage banner shows the impacted service and an estimated restoration time. Tap 'Notify me' to opt into a restoration text.
Verizon outage checker online
verizon.com/support/residential/service-outage, sign in with your Verizon ID to see if your address has an open ticket. Faster than the generic support page.
Virtual Assistant chat
The chat widget at verizon.com/support confirms known outages and can open a new ticket if the ONT status indicates a single-home issue rather than an area outage.
Text messages from Verizon
If you've opted in previously, Verizon proactively texts the account holder when a confirmed outage hits your service address, no action needed on your side.
What to do during a Verizon Fios outage
Check the My Fios app for an area outage
Open the app, the home screen shows a banner if Verizon has confirmed an incident at your address. Tap the banner to see the ETR and opt into restoration notifications.
Verify the ONT has power
The ONT is the small box mounted inside or outside your home where the fiber terminates. A steady green power light means it has mains power. If the power light is off, check the circuit breaker, the ONT plugs into a dedicated outlet in most installs.
Check the ONT's fiber and status lights
A steady green 'Optical' or 'PON' light means the fiber signal is good. If that light is red or off, you have a fiber-path problem and a power cycle won't help, call support to dispatch a tech.
Restart the Fios router (not the ONT)
If the ONT lights look normal but your Wi-Fi isn't working, unplug the Fios router (the G-series or E-series box) for 60 seconds and plug it back in. Wait 3 minutes for a full boot.
Opt into restoration text alerts
From the outage banner in the app, tap 'Notify me'. Verizon texts the number on file when the ticket closes, typically before the status page refreshes.
Call 1-800-VERIZON if the ONT shows a fiber fault
A red optical light on the ONT means either a cut in the drop cable to your home or a problem at the distribution point. Only a field tech can fix that. Schedule the dispatch on the call, Verizon prioritizes fiber-fault tickets.
Request a credit after restoration
Verizon publicly states it applies credits for confirmed outages on request. Call or use the virtual assistant after service returns and reference the ticket. Credits are typically applied at a prorated daily rate per 24-hour outage.
Common causes of Verizon Fios outages
- Physical fiber cut, the single biggest cause of Fios outages. Construction crews, car accidents hitting utility poles, and tree falls sever the fiber trunk or drop. Splicing a cut fiber typically takes 4-10 hours once a field tech arrives.
- ONT (Optical Network Terminal) power loss, the ONT on the side of your house needs house power. During a home power outage the battery backup (if installed) lasts 8-24 hours for voice only; internet drops immediately when the ONT loses mains power.
- Central office or OLT maintenance, scheduled firmware pushes on Verizon's Optical Line Terminal hardware cause brief service interruptions, usually between 2am and 5am local time.
- Weather-related damage, aerial fiber (on poles, not buried) is vulnerable to ice storms and high winds. Full restoration after a major weather event can stretch to 48+ hours as Verizon works pole-to-pole.
- Routing or DNS incidents, regional BGP/DNS problems inside Verizon's backbone occasionally make service appear down even when the fiber path is intact; these typically resolve in 30-90 minutes.
Outage credit policy
Verizon's publicly-stated policy is to credit accounts for confirmed Fios outages upon request. Credits are typically applied at one day's prorated service per 24-hour outage, but amounts and thresholds vary by service tier and market, call to request. Fios credits rarely post automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Is Verizon Fios down in my area?
What does a red PON light on my ONT mean?
Does the ONT battery backup keep my internet running during a power outage?
How long do Fios outages typically last?
Does Verizon Wireless work if Fios is down?
Will Verizon credit me automatically after a Fios outage?
Why does my Fios TV still show a black screen after internet comes back?
Can I report a Fios outage if my internet is down?
Related Verizon Fios resources
If outages keep affecting you, it's worth seeing what else is available at your address.