Is it your internet or the service? How to tell in 2 minutes
When Netflix, a game server or a delivery app stops working, the problem is either your connection or the service itself. Here's how to tell quickly.
Open a different site or app. If everything fails, the problem is your connection: check your provider's outage page and restart your modem and router. If only one app fails, the service is likely down: check its status page and wait.
The 2-minute test
- 1. Try another site or app. If others load, your internet is fine and the service is the problem.
- 2. Switch your phone to mobile data. If the app works on cellular but not Wi-Fi, the problem is your home connection.
- 3. Check the service's status page or its official social account for an outage notice.
- 4. Check your provider's outage page or app (Xfinity, Spectrum, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile all have one).
- 5. Look at your modem lights. A red, orange or blinking internet light usually means the line is down.
If it's your internet
- Restart the modem and router: unplug both for 30 seconds, plug in the modem first, wait two minutes, then the router.
- Plug a laptop into the router with a cable. If wired works but Wi-Fi doesn't, the problem is Wi-Fi.
- Run a speed test. If it's far below your plan, see why your internet is slow.
- If your provider confirms an outage, ask for a credit once it's fixed. AT&T Fiber's guarantee, for example, credits fiber outages of 20 minutes or more.
If it's the service
- Wait: most app and game outages are fixed within hours.
- Don't reset your equipment; it won't help.
- For games, check the publisher's server status page. For lag rather than outages, see how to lower ping.
Make outages hurt less
If outages keep interrupting work, a backup line on a different network helps: the best backup internet. T-Mobile Home Internet Backup is $20/mo.
What your modem lights mean
Where to check for outages
- Xfinity: the Xfinity app or Xfinity status center.
- Spectrum: the My Spectrum app or Spectrum's outage page.
- AT&T: the Smart Home Manager app or AT&T's outage checker.
- Verizon: the My Verizon or My Fios app.
- T-Mobile: the T-Mobile Internet app.
Sign in to see outages at your address, not just your area.
On Starlink? See is Starlink down? how to check.
A 5G plan on a different network from your provider keeps you online through most outages.
Questions
How do I know if my internet is down or just one website?
Open a different site. If it loads, your internet works and the first site is down. If nothing loads, check your provider's outage page and restart your modem and router.
Can I get a credit for an internet outage?
Often, yes. Ask your provider after a confirmed outage. Some, like AT&T Fiber, credit outages automatically under their guarantee.
Why does my internet keep going out at the same time every day?
Regular drops at the same time often point to network congestion, scheduled maintenance or a device on your network. Note the times and share them with your provider.
- Provider plan pages and Broadband Facts labels, checked Oct 2026
Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research
Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.
