Verizon Outages: Over 1.5 Million Customers Affected
A massive Verizon outage has left over 1.5 million customers across the United States unable to access voice and data services. This incident, which began at approximately 12:30 p.m. ET on January 14, has predominantly affected major urban areas, including New York City, Atlanta, and Chicago.
Key Facts About the Verizon Outage
- Date: January 14, 2026
- Customers Affected: Over 1.5 million
- Peak Reports: 178,000 at the highest point
- Major Affected Cities:
- New York City
- Atlanta
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- Washington D.C.
- Network Status: Customers reported “SOS” mode on their phones
Verizon’s Response
Verizon issued a statement acknowledging the issue and assured customers that engineers are actively working to resolve it. The service interruption has sparked frustration among users, with many taking to social media to express their concerns.
Impact on Users
The outage significantly affected various activities, including the purchase of presale tickets for Bruno Mars’ upcoming tour. Scheduled ticket sales began at noon on the same day, illustrating the disruption’s timing with customer needs.
Other events, such as sports games, also prompted venues to advise attendees to add tickets to digital wallets to avoid delays.
Emergency Services and Connectivity
Alerts from emergency management in cities like New York and Washington D.C. advised residents to use alternative methods for emergency communication if they faced issues with their Verizon devices. This included using devices from other carriers or landlines to call 911.
Statistics and Comparisons
The phenomenon is one of the largest outages in recent memory, surpassing previous Verizon issues reported on August 30, 2025. According to Downdetector, Verizon has 146.1 million wireless connections in the U.S., emphasizing the vast number of users affected.
Verizon’s efforts to solve the outage included ongoing updates on social media, revealing that by late afternoon, reports had dropped significantly but the situation was still developing.
Alternative Communication Options
For those struggling to connect, several messaging and voice applications remain operational over Wi-Fi. Customers with iPhones can utilize iMessages and FaceTime, while Android users can consider apps like WhatsApp and Telegram for communication.
Community Reactions
The community has seen various reactions, including offers from local businesses like Krispy Kreme, which provided free doughnuts to customers affected by the outage, showcasing a blend of frustration and humor.
As the situation develops, users are encouraged to remain patient while Verizon works towards restoring normal service. With connectivity being crucial for both personal and professional interactions, the resolution of this issue is anticipated by customers nationwide.
