Why Was Verizon Down? What to Know About the Nationwide Outage, SOS Issue & Account Credits
A major Verizon wireless outage disrupted service for more than 1.5 million customers across the United States on January 14, leaving many users unable to make calls, send texts, or access mobile data. Phones across multiple states displayed “SOS Only”, triggering widespread frustration and emergency alerts from city authorities.
The outage lasted nearly 10 hours before Verizon confirmed full restoration late Wednesday night.
This article explains what happened, why phones showed SOS, what Verizon said, and what affected customers should do next.
Overview of the Verizon Nationwide Outage
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | January 14 |
| Duration | ~10 hours |
| Affected Users | 1.5+ million (reported) |
| Services Impacted | Calls, texts, mobile data |
| Status | Resolved |
| Cyberattack | No indication, per Verizon |
Internet monitoring firm Cisco ThousandEyes described the incident as “one of the most significant nationwide connectivity interruptions in recent memory.”
Is Verizon Service Back Up?
Yes. Verizon confirmed around 10:20–10:30 p.m. ET that the outage had been resolved.
The company advised customers who were still experiencing issues to restart their devices to reconnect to the network.
Why Was Verizon Down?
Verizon did not disclose the exact cause of the outage.
However, the company clearly stated:
- There is no evidence of a cyberattack
- Engineers were deployed nationwide
- The disruption was related to internal network issues
The FCC has announced it will review the incident and take appropriate action.
Areas Most Affected by the Verizon Outage
According to Downdetector data, the hardest-hit regions included:
| City / Region |
|---|
| New York City & Brooklyn |
| Washington, DC |
| Atlanta |
| Chicago |
| Houston |
| Los Angeles |
| Phoenix |
| San Francisco |
| Boston |
Several cities issued 911 advisories, asking residents to use alternative carriers or landlines in emergencies.
Why Did My Phone Show “SOS Only”?
When a phone cannot connect to its primary cellular network, it displays “SOS” or “SOS Only.”
What SOS Means
- Cellular service is unavailable
- Emergency calls are still possible
- iPhones may connect to other networks or satellite (newer models)
Emergency Calling on iPhone
| iPhone Model | How to Call Emergency |
|---|---|
| iPhone 8 or newer | Hold side button + volume button → drag Emergency SOS |
| iPhone 7 or earlier | Press side/top button 5 times → drag SOS slider |
Android users may see “No Service” or “Mobile Network Not Detected”, but Emergency SOS still works.
What Verizon Said About the Outage
Verizon publicly apologized multiple times on X (formerly Twitter):
“Today, we let many of our customers down and for that, we are truly sorry.”
The company emphasized:
- Continuous repair efforts
- Customer impact acknowledgment
- Commitment to making it right
Will Verizon Customers Get Account Credits?
Yes.
Verizon confirmed that:
- All affected customers will receive account credits
- Credit details will be shared directly with customers
- No action is required from customers at this time
What to Do If Your Verizon Phone Is Still Not Working
- Restart your phone
- Turn Airplane Mode on and off
- Check for carrier settings updates
- Reset network settings (last option)
- Contact Verizon Support if issues persist
Useful Apps During Network Outages
If Wi-Fi is available, these apps can help you stay connected:
| App | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Messaging & voice/video calls | |
| Telegram | Encrypted cloud messaging |
| Google Voice | Calls, texts, voicemail using Wi-Fi |
| FaceTime / iMessage | iPhone users only |
FCC Investigation into the Verizon Outage
FCC Chair Brendan Carr stated the agency will:
- Review the outage
- Investigate service reliability
- Take appropriate regulatory action if needed
Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez also called for a formal investigation.
How Customers Reacted on Social Media
Verizon trended nationwide on X as customers shared:
- Frustration over lost connectivity
- Inability to access tickets, payments, or navigation
- Comparisons to earlier outages (August 2025)
Competitors AT&T and T-Mobile took public jabs, stating their networks remained stable.
Impact on Events, Tickets & Travel
Due to connectivity issues:
- Sports teams urged fans to download tickets in advance
- Universities warned of entry delays
- Concert-goers faced access problems
Tip: Always save tickets to Apple or Google Wallet before leaving home.
Final Summary: Verizon Outage at a Glance
| Key Point | Summary |
|---|---|
| Cause | Undisclosed (not cyberattack) |
| Duration | Nearly 10 hours |
| Impact | 1.5M+ users nationwide |
| Resolution | Service fully restored |
| Compensation | Account credits promised |
| Investigation | FCC reviewing incident |
Conclusion
The January 14 Verizon outage was one of the largest U.S. wireless disruptions in recent years, affecting millions and prompting federal review. While service has been restored and credits promised, the incident highlights how critical reliable mobile connectivity has become for emergencies, travel, and daily life.
If your phone still shows issues, a restart is the first step—and keep an eye on your account for credit updates.