How to stay online during power outages and hurricanes
Your internet needs two things to keep working in a storm: power for your equipment, and a network that's still up. You can plan for both before the power goes out.
Put the modem and router on a UPS for short outages, and keep a power station for longer ones. Add a backup connection on a different network, such as your phone's hotspot or a 5G plan. Charge everything before a storm. Cable and fiber can go down when neighborhood equipment loses power, even if your home has power.
Some links on this page are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. It doesn't change what we recommend.
Why the internet goes out in a storm
There are two separate problems. First, your modem, router and fiber box (ONT) need power. When your power goes out, they stop. Second, your provider's network needs power too. Cable and fiber networks have equipment in the neighborhood that runs on batteries for a few hours at most. In a long outage, the network can go down even if your home has power from a generator.
Cell networks usually last longer, because towers have larger backup batteries and generators. That's why a backup connection on a cellular network is the most useful thing you can add.
Before the storm
- Put your modem and router on a UPS. A small battery backup keeps them running through short outages and flickers. See whether you need a UPS for your modem.
- Get a power station for long outages. A portable power station can run a modem and router for many hours and charge phones and laptops. Anker SOLIX power stations are one option; check the watt-hour capacity against what you want to run.
- Set up a backup connection. Your phone's hotspot costs nothing extra on most plans. For a household, a 5G home internet plan runs on a different network from cable or fiber. Compare options in best backup internet and T-Mobile vs. Verizon backup internet.
- Charge everything. Phones, laptops, power banks and the power station. Download maps, documents and shows you may need offline.
- Sign up for outage alerts. Most providers text outage updates to the account holder. Make sure your mobile number is on the account.
During an outage
- Run only what you need. The modem, router and one charger use little power. Turn off extra devices to make the battery last.
- Check whether the network is down. If your equipment has power but no connection, it's probably a provider outage. Check the provider's app over your phone's data.
- Switch to your backup. Use the phone hotspot or 5G plan until service is back. A portable hotspot like the GlocalMe MeowGo G50 Max works the same way and can go with you if you leave home.
- Text instead of calling. Texts get through more often when cell networks are busy.
After the storm
Check your provider's outage page for restore times. When service returns, restart the modem and router. If the outage lasted more than a day, ask for a bill credit; most providers don't add one automatically. Our outage guides cover each provider: Xfinity, Spectrum, AT&T, Verizon, Frontier and Optimum.
What to buy, by outage length
| Outage length | What keeps you online |
|---|---|
| A few minutes | A small UPS for the modem and router |
| A few hours | A larger UPS or a power station, plus your phone's hotspot |
| A day or more | A power station or generator, and a backup connection on a cellular network |
For current sale prices on UPS units, power stations and hotspots, see our backup internet and power deals.
Questions
Does Wi-Fi work during a power outage?
Only if your modem and router have power from a UPS or power station, and your provider's network is still up.
Does fiber internet work without power?
Not on its own. The fiber box (ONT) and router need power. With a battery backup, fiber can keep working as long as the provider's network has power.
How long will a UPS keep my internet on?
A small UPS usually runs a modem and router for one to a few hours, depending on its battery size and what is plugged in.
What's the best backup internet for hurricanes?
A connection on a cellular network, such as a phone hotspot or 5G home internet, because cell towers usually have longer backup power than cable and fiber equipment.