Verizon experienced a nationwide outage this morning, leaving many customers unable to send calls or texts.
The outage began around 9:30am ET with customers reporting their cell service was completely down.
Reports showed that phones were stuck in SOS mode while others said they have data bars, but they still can’t receive any ingoing or outgoing calls and texts.
Verizon is currently looking into the issue, but has not provided a time for when users can expect their cell service to return to normal.
The outage came shortly before thousands of AT&T and T-Mobile customers also reported they weren’t able to send or receive calls and texts.
Verizon has gone down across the US with many users complaining they can’t make calls or send texts
Reports of Verizon outages are occurring all over the country, with many taking place in the Midwest
Verizon has more than 143 million users in the US – but the amount hit by the outage is unknown.
People took to Downdetector, a site that monitors online issues, to report the outage on Monday morning in areas as widespread as Chicago, Atlanta, New York City and Phoenix.
Tea Storm Chasers, a non-profit that chases storms and police scanner calls, said the outage is primarily impacting Verizon customers across the Midwest.
‘Well over 100,000 customers are reporting issues with mobile phones,’ the non-profit wrote on X.
‘We have had many messages about issues in the area as well. There is currently no ETA for full restoration of services.’
However, the outage is also impacting people in other areas of the country, so the real number could be in the millions.
A Verizon spokesperson told DailyMail.com that ‘[the company] is aware of an issue impacting service for some customers.’
They added: ‘Our engineers are engaged and we are working quickly to identify and solve the issue,’ but did not confirm how many people were impacted by the outage.
Verizon said it is looking into the outage but did not confirm when customers can expect their cell service to return to normal.
Downdetector was inundated with reports about the outage, with 3,800 reporting they didn’t have service at 9:30am ET, but that number jumped to nearly 85,000 by 10:40am ET.
One Verizon user reported on Downdetector that they were able to get a few minutes on 5G if they switched airplane mode on and off, but then their phone returned to SOS.
SOS is automatically activated on all phones when their isn’t cell service but is a distress signal that can still be transmitted to request immediate assistance in a life-threatening emergency.
An individual from Madison, Wisconsin also commented on Downdetector: ‘In SOS mode. I’ve restarted my phone (iPhone 14pro), turned off cellular and back on & then it shows bars but immediately goes back to SOS.’
In Indiana, one Verizon user reported that their phone isn’t working for just some calls and texts, but not all and suggested people do a software update if they can and use WiFi calling.
However, another person commented that does not seem to be an option, writing: ‘In Southern Illinois, we also are seeing no signal from towers (SOS on signal indicator).
‘What makes me think it’s even bigger, however, is even connected through WiFi with cell connection turned off, WiFi calling and texting is not available.’
The cellphone carrier responded to people’s complaints on X, writing: ‘We understand the importance of staying connected, and would be happy to take a look at what’s occurring. Please send us a DM, and we can jump right in!’
This outage comes just days after Verizon went down after Hurricane Helene swept across much of the Southeast Coast, leaving millions of people unable to contact loved ones.
Immense flooding in areas of Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas created hazardous conditions that prevented Verizon technicians from accessing the area to fix downed lines and bring in generators.
‘We continue to experience service impacts in parts of the Southeast due to prolonged power outages, massive flooding, access restrictions, and extensive fiber damage,’ the company said in a press release.
Restoration efforts are still ongoing as Verizon works with local power providers, first responders and local and state government agencies.
