Thousands of Verizon customers woke up to connectivity chaos this Thursday, October 9, 2025, as reports of widespread outages surfaced across multiple states. Users reported phones stuck on “SOS mode,” calls dropping unexpectedly, text messages failing to send, and unstable Verizon Fios internet connections throughout the morning.
According to Downdetector, the first spike in outage reports began shortly after 12:07 a.m. ET, affecting several key regions including New Jersey, New York City, Tennessee, the Carolinas, and parts of Georgia. Verizon later confirmed that a network issue was impacting “data, voice, text, and wireless home internet” services in multiple areas.
What Verizon Says About the Outage
In an official update, Verizon acknowledged a “known issue” and said its teams are working continuously to restore normal service. However, some customers in New York City and North Jersey were told that full restoration might not happen until early Friday, October 10. This means thousands could remain without stable service for the rest of the day.
Customers were quick to express frustration on social media, sharing screenshots of their devices showing only the “SOS” icon. Some users also noted difficulties accessing Verizon Fios internet, with slow or completely dropped connections reported since late Wednesday night.
How to Check Verizon’s Outage Map
If you’re unsure whether your area is affected, Verizon’s “Check Network Status” tool can help. Simply enter your ZIP code or address, and the system will show the current service status and estimated restoration time. Many North Jersey residents have received updates listing restoration estimates around 1:11 a.m. ET on Friday.
Is Verizon Internet Affected Too?
Yes — the issue extends beyond mobile connections. Verizon Fios users have also reported problems accessing the internet since October 8, with some experiencing total service loss. Verizon confirmed that Fios restoration is part of the same ongoing repair effort affecting cellular networks.
What You Can Do During the Outage
If you can’t make calls or send texts, you can still connect using Wi-Fi Calling — a feature available on most modern Verizon smartphones. Just open your phone’s settings, search for “Wi-Fi Calling,” and enable it to place calls through your home or office internet connection.
For assistance, Verizon’s customer support is available at 800-922-0204 from 8 a.m. to midnight (ET) daily. Customers can also get 24/7 help through the Verizon website chat or their My Verizon account, where live outage updates and alerts are available.
As of this afternoon, Verizon technicians are still working to bring the network back online. Until then, customers across several states are urged to stay patient — and keep checking for updates as the company races to restore full service nationwide.
Hi, I’m Anas, the person behind StartMotor. Cars have always been my passion, and through this platform, I share the latest news, reviews, and updates from the automobile world. My aim is to make auto information simple, useful, and enjoyable for readers worldwide.