TL;DR
Verizon confirmed a mobile network outage on Jan. 14, 2026 that primarily affected the eastern half of the United States. Downdetector showed a large spike in problem reports; Verizon said engineering teams were working to restore service and officials warned some users might not be able to reach 911.
What happened
On Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, Verizon acknowledged an interruption to its wireless voice and data services affecting much of the eastern United States. Monitoring site Downdetector recorded a surge in reports after noon ET, with tens of thousands of users reporting problems from cities that included New York City, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte and Dallas. Verizon issued statements saying its engineers were engaged and working to identify and resolve the issue, and posted social updates around 2 p.m. ET that teams remained deployed. In Washington, D.C., authorities issued an alert noting the outage could prevent some Verizon customers from connecting to 911 and advised people with emergencies to use another carrier, a landline, or visit a police or fire station. The report also summarized user-facing guidance: phones may display SOS or "No Service," Wi‑Fi calling can be used where available, and newer iPhones have satellite SOS options.
Why it matters
- Widespread wireless outages can impede everyday communication and business activity for large populations across multiple states.
- Loss of mobile connectivity can affect emergency access — officials warned some Verizon customers might not be able to reach 911 during this outage.
- Many users rely on features such as Wi‑Fi calling or satellite SOS on newer devices as failover options when cellular service is unavailable.
- Real-time outage tracking (e.g., Downdetector) and carrier updates become primary sources of information for affected customers during such events.
Key facts
- Date: Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 (reporting and updates that day).
- Verizon confirmed an outage affecting wireless voice and data for some customers and said engineering teams were working on the problem.
- Downdetector showed a spike in outage reports after noon ET, with tens of thousands of reports nationwide.
- Cities with reported issues included New York City, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte and Dallas.
- Around 2 p.m. ET Verizon posted that engineering teams remained fully deployed and focused on resolving the interruptions.
- Washington, D.C., officials warned the outage may affect some users' ability to connect with 911 and advised alternatives such as other carriers, landlines, or visiting emergency services locations.
- User guidance included using Wi‑Fi calling where available, and that some iPhones (14 and newer) have satellite SOS capability for emergencies outside cellular coverage.
What to watch next
- Official Verizon updates and its network status page for timing and scope of restoration — not confirmed in the source.
- Announcements from public safety agencies about restoration of 911 access and any broader emergency communications guidance — not confirmed in the source.
- Post-incident reports or carrier statements identifying the technical cause of the outage and any customer remedies or credits — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Outage: A period when a service is unavailable or interrupted, in this case referring to wireless voice and data connectivity.
- Downdetector: A third-party website and service that aggregates outage reports from users and displays spikes in problem reports for networks and online services.
- SOS mode: A phone indicator showing the device lacks a normal cellular connection and may only be able to place emergency calls through the cellular network.
- Wi‑Fi calling: A feature that allows voice calls and texts to be routed over a Wi‑Fi internet connection when cellular service is weak or unavailable.
- Satellite SOS: A capability on some newer phones that lets users make emergency calls via satellite when regular cellular networks are out of range.
Reader FAQ
Why is my phone showing SOS or No Service?
Those indicators mean your device does not have a usable cellular connection to your carrier; SOS indicates emergency calling may still work over the cellular network.
Can I call 911 during this Verizon outage?
Washington, D.C. authorities warned some Verizon users may not be able to connect to 911 and advised using another carrier, a landline, or going to a police or fire station if you cannot reach emergency services.
How can I make calls or use data if my cellular service is down?
If available, enable Wi‑Fi calling or connect to a Wi‑Fi network for internet-based calls and messages; some newer phones also support satellite SOS for emergencies.
Do we know what caused the outage or when service will be fully restored?
not confirmed in the source
NATION/WORLD Verizon outages reported across U.S. Verizon said it's working to resolve outages, which are affecting the eastern half of the country. Credit: AP A Verizon retail location is shown…
Sources
- East coast. Verizon outage in US
- Massive Outage Disrupting Verizon Wireless Service …
- Are You Wondering Who is to Blame For Nationwide …
- Major Verizon Wireless outage disrupts service across US …
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