Phone and internet
Spectrum Outage: What to Do When Your Internet Is Down
A Spectrum outage can take down your internet, TV, and home phone at once. Check the My Spectrum app or Spectrum's service outages page for your address, then look at Spectrum on Downdetector for reports near you. No outage? The home fixes below usually help.
Updated
Is there a Spectrum outage right now?
- My Spectrum app or spectrum.net: shows known outages at your service address.
- Downdetector: zoom in on your city on the map.
- A neighbor with Spectrum: if they are down too, it is likely local.
Our Spectrum outage map page shows how to check by address. The Downdetector Spectrum guide explains the chart.
Cable outage or home internet outage?
Look at your modem first. Its lights answer the question.
The whole street is down
- Modem lights blink and never turn solid
- TV and internet fail together
- Neighbors have the same problem
Only your home is down
- Modem lights look normal
- Wi-Fi fails, but a cable may work
- Spectrum shows no outage
Spectrum internet not working fix
Restart in the right order. The modem needs time to connect before the router starts.
- Unplug bothModem and router
- Wait 60 secondsLet them fully reset
- Modem firstWait two minutes
- Then the routerTest a website
Still down? Then:
- Check every cable, including the coax from the wall.
- Run the test in the My Spectrum app. It can reset your equipment.
- Plug in a computer with a cable. If that works, the Wi-Fi is the problem.
- Check your bill. A missed payment can pause service.
- Call Spectrum if the modem lights stay off or blinking.
Home internet outage: while you wait
Spectrum outages usually come from storms, cables cut during construction, failed equipment in a local node, and overnight maintenance. See why services go down.
More help for any provider: internet outage near me. On Xfinity instead? See Xfinity outage.
Read your Spectrum modem lights
Light colors vary by model, but most Spectrum modems follow the same idea. Check the Spectrum support site for your exact model.
| Light | Usually means | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Solid white or blue | Online | The problem is your router or Wi-Fi |
| Blinking white or blue | Trying to connect | Wait 5 minutes, then restart |
| Solid or blinking red | No connection | Check cables, then check for an outage |
| No lights | No power | Check the power cord and outlet |
Spectrum TV and phone outages
Spectrum internet, TV, and home phone usually share one cable line, so a cable outage often takes all three down. But each can fail alone too.
- TV only: restart the cable box by unplugging it for 60 seconds. Try the Spectrum TV app on a phone.
- Home phone only: check the phone is plugged into the modem's phone port, and restart the modem.
- Spectrum Mobile: it runs on Verizon's network, not the cable line. If your cell phone has no service, check the Verizon outage page.
Spectrum internet not working fix for Wi-Fi only
If a computer plugged into the router works but Wi-Fi does not, your Spectrum line is fine. The problem is the Wi-Fi. Restart the router, then move it to a central, open spot, away from walls, TVs, and microwaves. In the My Spectrum app, check how many devices are connected and pause any you are not using. In a large home, a mesh system or Spectrum's Wi-Fi pods can fill dead zones.
Cable outage after a storm
Storms are one of the top causes of a Spectrum outage. Wind brings down lines, and power cuts knock out the local equipment that serves your street. When power comes back, cable service often takes a little longer, because Spectrum's equipment has to restart and reconnect.
After a storm, give your modem 10 to 15 minutes once power is back. If it still is not online, restart it. If the line to your house is down or hanging low, stay away from it and call Spectrum. Never touch a downed cable.
How to get a credit for a Spectrum outage
Contact Spectrum in the app or by chat once service is back. Give the date and how long you were offline, and ask for a credit for that time. Have your account number ready.
Frequently asked questions
How long do Spectrum outages last?
Most Spectrum outages are fixed within a few hours. Outages from storms or cut cables can take longer, sometimes a day or more. The My Spectrum app often shows an estimated repair time.
Does Spectrum give credit for outages?
You can ask. Contact Spectrum through the app or by phone after the outage and request a credit for the time you were offline. Spectrum often gives credit for longer outages.
Why does my Spectrum internet keep dropping?
Frequent drops can mean a loose cable, an old modem, or a weak signal from the street. Check that all cables are tight. If it keeps happening, ask Spectrum to send a technician to test your line.
Is Spectrum Mobile down when Spectrum internet is down?
Not usually. Spectrum Mobile runs on Verizon’s network, so it can work while your home internet is out. If your Spectrum Mobile phone has no service, check our Verizon outage page.
Why is my Spectrum internet slow but not down?
Slow speeds usually mean a busy evening network, too many devices, or weak Wi-Fi. Run a speed test with a cable. If wired speed is far below your plan, contact Spectrum.
Is Spectrum TV down when Spectrum internet is down?
Often, because both use the same cable line. But the TV box or app can fail alone. Restart the box and try the Spectrum TV app on another device.
Independent guide. Not affiliated with Downdetector or Ookla.