TL;DR
Verizon confirmed a mobile voice and data outage on Jan. 14, 2026, with the largest effects reported in the eastern half of the United States. Downdetector showed a sharp rise in reports after noon ET; Verizon says engineering teams are working to restore service and has posted updates on social media.
What happened
On Wednesday, Jan. 14, Verizon acknowledged an interruption affecting wireless voice and data for some customers, primarily across the eastern United States. Downdetector registered a spike in outage reports after noon ET, with tens of thousands of complaints logged nationwide and clusters reported in cities including New York City, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte and Dallas. Verizon issued statements saying engineering teams were engaged and working to identify and resolve the problem, and posted progress updates on social media around 2 p.m. ET indicating teams remained fully deployed. In Washington, D.C., local emergency authorities warned the outage may impede some users from reaching 911 and advised people to use devices on other carriers, a landline, or visit a police or fire station to report emergencies. The company urged customers to check its network status resources for the latest information.
Why it matters
- Mobile voice and data outages can interfere with both everyday communications and time-sensitive services.
- Interruptions that affect emergency calling raise immediate public-safety concerns and require alternate contact methods.
- Large-scale outages highlight dependency on mobile networks for commerce, transportation and personal coordination.
Key facts
- Date: Jan. 14, 2026 (reported and updated the same day).
- Verizon confirmed an issue impacting wireless voice and data for some customers.
- Downdetector recorded a nationwide spike in outage reports after noon ET, numbering in the tens of thousands.
- Reported outage locations included New York City, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte and Dallas.
- Verizon said engineering teams were engaged and later posted that teams remained fully deployed and focused on resolving the issue.
- Washington, D.C. authorities issued an alert saying the outage may affect some users' ability to connect with 911 and recommended alternate means to report emergencies.
- Customers were directed to check Verizon's network-status resources for updates.
- Phones may display an SOS indicator when a carrier connection is unavailable; Wi‑Fi calling and other workarounds can remain available if a Wi‑Fi connection exists.
What to watch next
- Verizon's network-status page and official social media accounts for restoration updates and details on scope.
- Real-time outage tracking services such as Downdetector for geographic patterns and volume of reports.
- Not confirmed in the source: estimated timelines for full service restoration or the specific technical cause of the outage.
Quick glossary
- Outage: A period during which a service is unavailable or interrupted.
- Downdetector: A third-party online service that aggregates user reports to identify and map service disruptions.
- SOS mode: A phone indicator that signals the device cannot connect to its carrier network for normal service but may allow emergency calls.
- Wi‑Fi calling: A feature that lets phones place calls and send texts over a Wi‑Fi connection instead of a cellular network.
- Satellite SOS: A capability on some smartphones to send emergency messages or calls via satellite when no cellular service is available.
Reader FAQ
Has Verizon confirmed the outage?
Yes. Verizon confirmed an issue affecting wireless voice and data for some customers and said engineers were working to resolve it.
Which areas are affected?
The outage largely affected the eastern United States, with reports from cities that include New York City, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte and Dallas.
Can I still call 911?
Washington, D.C. officials warned the outage may affect some users' ability to connect with 911 and advised using a device on another carrier, a landline, or going to a police or fire station.
How long will the outage last?
Not confirmed in the source.
What can I do if my phone shows SOS or has no service?
If Wi‑Fi is available, enable Wi‑Fi calling. Some phones can use satellite SOS features for emergency contact; otherwise follow local authorities' guidance and use alternate devices or landlines for emergencies.
NATION/WORLD Verizon outages reported across US Verizon said it's working to resolve outages, which are largely affecting the eastern half of the country. Credit: AP A Verizon retail location is…
Sources
- Verizon outages reported across U.S.
- Verizon outage disrupts calling and data services for …
- Latest on outage as thousands report 'SOS' and what to do …
- Verizon outage: Why your phone says SOS, what we know …
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