Verizon Service Issues? Here's What to Do

Complete guide to checking outages, reporting problems, and fixing common Verizon issues

How to Check if Verizon Has an Outage in Your Area

Method 1: Verizon Official Channels

My Verizon App: Open the app and check for outage notifications. Go to Account > Service & Support for status updates.

Verizon Website: Visit Verizon's Service Status page or their official outage map.

Text Message: Send "OUTAGE" to 611611 for automated status updates.

Method 2: Third-Party Outage Trackers

DownDetector: Shows real-time outage reports with heat maps. Check verizon.downdetector.com

Outage.Report: User-submitted reports with detailed location data.

IsTheServiceDown: Tracks multiple carriers for comparison.

Note: Third-party sites may have delayed or inaccurate data

Method 3: Social Media & Community

Twitter: Check @VerizonSupport and search #VerizonOutage

Reddit: Visit r/verizon for user reports and discussions

Nextdoor/Facebook: Ask neighbors if they're experiencing issues

Why Your Phone Shows SOS Mode

Understanding Emergency SOS Mode

When your phone shows "SOS" or "SOS Only," it means:

No Cellular Network: Your phone cannot connect to Verizon's towers
Emergency Calls Only: You can still call 911 and emergency services
Possible Causes: Local outage, tower maintenance, account issues, or phone problems

Common reasons for SOS mode today:

Scheduled Maintenance: Verizon often does tower upgrades overnight
Weather Damage: Storms can knock out cell towers
Fiber Cuts: Construction accidents severing underground cables
Software Updates: Network upgrades causing temporary disruption
Power Outages: Cell towers require electricity too

Before Reporting: Quick Troubleshooting

Basic Phone Checks

• Restart your phone (power off, wait 30 seconds, power on)

• Check for iOS/Android updates

• Remove and reinsert SIM card

• Toggle Airplane Mode on/off

Network Settings

• Reset network settings (Settings > General > Reset)

• Manually select network (Settings > Cellular > Network Selection)

• Check if data roaming is enabled

• Verify APN settings for Verizon

Account Verification

• Check if your bill is paid (My Verizon app)

• Verify account is not suspended

• Ensure plan includes data/voice service

• Check for device compatibility issues

Immediate Fixes for Common Issues

No Service/No Signal:

Move to different location (higher ground, near window)
Check if building materials block signals
Verify phone supports Verizon's bands (especially 5G devices)

Dropped Calls:

Update PRL (Profile) on older phones (*228 option 2)
Check for network congestion during peak hours
Consider Wi-Fi Calling as backup

Slow Data Speeds:

Test speed with speedtest.net or fast.com
Check if you've used monthly data allowance
Disable VPN if enabled
Clear browser cache and cookies

How to Report Verizon Service Issues

Official Verizon Contact Methods

Phone Support:

611: Free from your Verizon phone
1-800-922-0204: Main customer service
1-800-837-4966: Technical support
1-866-221-4096: TTY for hearing impaired

Online/App Support:

My Verizon App: Chat with support 24/7
Website Chat: verizon.com/support
Twitter: @VerizonSupport (fastest response)

In-Store Support:

Visit corporate stores (not authorized retailers)
Bring ID and account information
Corporate stores can run deeper diagnostics

What Causes Verizon Outages?

Technical Causes:

Fiber Optic Cable Cuts: Construction damage to underground/underwater cables
Power Grid Failures: Cell towers need electricity; backup batteries last 4-8 hours
Software Updates Gone Wrong: Network equipment updates causing conflicts
Hardware Failure: Tower equipment malfunctions
DNS Issues: Domain Name System failures affecting connectivity

External Factors:

Severe Weather: Hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms damaging infrastructure
Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, floods, wildfires
Cyber Attacks: DDoS attacks targeting network infrastructure
Accidents: Vehicle collisions with telephone poles/towers
Theft/Vandalism: Copper theft from facilities

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out if Verizon has an outage in my area?

Answer: Check the My Verizon app, Verizon's official website status page, or third-party sites like DownDetector. You can also call 611 from your Verizon phone for automated updates.

When was Verizon's last major outage?

Answer: Verizon's most recent major outage was [Date would be updated based on current events]. Typically, Verizon experiences 1-2 nationwide outages per year, with regional issues more frequently.

Why was my phone on SOS today with Verizon?

Answer: SOS mode indicates no cellular network connection. Common causes include local tower maintenance, weather-related damage, account payment issues, or phone software problems.

What does *57 do on a Verizon phone?

Answer: *57 is Verizon's Call Trace feature. It attempts to trace harassing or threatening calls. You must contact law enforcement for them to obtain the trace results from Verizon.

What does *228 do on Verizon?

Answer: *228 updates your phone's roaming capabilities and programming. Use option 1 for updates, option 2 to update PRL (Preferred Roaming List). Note: This doesn't work on 4G/5G phones.

How accurate is DownDetector for Verizon outages?

Answer: DownDetector is fairly accurate for detecting widespread outages but may show false positives for localized issues. It aggregates user reports, so accuracy depends on user participation.

Do I dial 611 for Verizon support?

Answer: Yes, 611 is Verizon's free customer service number from your Verizon phone. From other phones, call 1-800-922-0204.

What network is Verizon shutting down?

Answer: Verizon is gradually shutting down its 3G CDMA network. The complete shutdown was completed in 2022. 2G and 4G LTE remain operational for now.

Understanding Verizon's Network Shutdowns

3G Shutdown Complete: Verizon's 3G CDMA network has been fully decommissioned. Older 3G-only devices no longer work.

2G Status: Verizon's 2G 1xRTT network is still active but with very limited coverage. Used mainly for basic voice and text on older devices.

4G LTE Future: No announced shutdown date. LTE will remain for years as Verizon's primary voice/data network alongside 5G.

5G Expansion: Verizon is actively building out its 5G Ultra Wideband and nationwide 5G networks.

Why Are People Leaving Verizon?

Common reasons customers switch:

Price Increases: Verizon is typically 10-20% more expensive than competitors
5G Performance Issues: Some areas report slower 5G than 4G LTE
Customer Service Changes: Reduced store hours, longer wait times
Competitor Promotions: T-Mobile and AT&T offering aggressive switch deals
Network Congestion: Speeds slowing in densely populated areas

How Verizon compares:

Coverage: Still #1 in overall coverage (RootMetrics 2023)
Speed: Fastest 5G in limited areas, slower nationwide average
Reliability: Fewest dropped calls of major carriers
Price: Most expensive major carrier

Preparing for Future Outages

Proactive Steps:

Enable Wi-Fi Calling: Set up before outages occur
Save Important Numbers: Keep emergency contacts written down
Download Offline Maps: Google Maps and Apple Maps allow this
Consider Backup SIM: Keep a prepaid SIM from another carrier
Portable Charger: Keep devices charged during outages
Landline Alternative: Consider VoIP or basic landline for emergencies

Final Recommendations

During Outages:

First, check Verizon's official channels
Use Wi-Fi for internet access if available
Conserve phone battery
Report issues through multiple channels

For Persistent Problems:

Request bill credits for extended outages
Consider switching if issues are frequent in your area
File FCC complaint if Verizon is unresponsive
Document all outages for future reference

"Verizon's network reliability is generally excellent, but outages happen to every carrier. Being prepared and knowing how to troubleshoot can minimize disruption when service issues occur."