Let’s face it—in a perfect world, our internet would always work flawlessly and we’d never have to worry about interruptions to our favorite Hulu or Netflix shows or our online games suddenly cutting out. But unfortunately, internet outages occur from time to time. If you’re an AT&T internet customer wondering if there’s an AT&T internet outage in your area or if the problem is specific to your home internet, you can use our guide to help troubleshoot the issue and get your internet back up and running.

In this AT&T internet outage guide:


How to check if there’s an AT&T internet outage

If your AT&T internet is down, you’ll first want to discern whether there’s an AT&T internet outage or if the problem is exclusive to your home internet. You don’t necessarily need access to an AT&T outage map to check if there’s an outage. The easiest way to check if there’s an AT&T internet outage is to sign in to your AT&T account. Once you sign in, you’ll be able to see any AT&T outage alerts in your area. You can also sign up for AT&T text alert updates so that you’ll be notified once your AT&T internet is back up and running.

Without signing in, you can enter your zip code into AT&T’s outage page and find out if there’s an internet outage in your area. Another way to get AT&T outage information is to chat with the AT&T virtual assistant.

If Twitter is more your speed, you can check AT&T’s Twitter, @ATTHelp, for any outages in your area. AT&T will periodically make an announcement about a current outage and how they’re trying to resolve the issue. Another easy way to check if other people are having the same problem is to check the hashtag #ATToutage on Twitter.


How do I report an AT&T internet outage?

You can report an AT&T internet outage by:

  • Calling AT&T Technical Support at 800-288-2020.
  • Using the Troubleshoot and Resolve tool in your myAT&T app on your phone.
  • Using the Troubleshoot and Resolve tool on your desktop myAT&T account.

The AT&T Technical Support line is available 24/7, so if you’d prefer to talk to a real human at customer support, try giving AT&T a call.


What do I do if there’s an AT&T internet outage?

In the event of an AT&T internet outage, you don’t have to do anything! Just sit tight while AT&T works to fix the outage and restore your internet connection. If you need WiFi while you wait, whether for work or entertainment, you may want to use your smartphone as a mobile hotspot. Many carriers include hotspot capabilities with their phone plans, while others include dedicated mobile hotspot allowances. Turning on your hotspot is as easy as going to your settings then connecting your devices, such as your laptop or tablet, to your hotspot the same way you would connect to any other WiFi network.


What if AT&T isn’t experiencing an outage?

If you’re having internet connectivity problems and not an AT&T outage, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot your connection, including:

  • Double-check that you paid your AT&T internet bill, as late payments could interrupt service.
  • Reboot your modem and/or router.
  • Check that your equipment (modems, routers, devices) is securely connected.
  • Test that your outlets are functioning.


How to speed up your AT&T internet connection

If your AT&T internet isn’t fully down but you’re experiencing slower internet speeds than usual, there are many different strategies you can try to increase your internet speeds (download speeds and upload speeds).

First things first, you should check your current internet speeds using our free internet speed test. Within seconds, you’ll be able to see what download and upload speeds you’re currently getting, as well as your latency period (also known as “lag” or “ping). Latency refers to how long it takes your WiFi signal to travel from your device, such as your computer, to AT&T’s server, and then back to your device. The shorter your latency period, the better your internet will perform. For the majority of people, a lag of 100 milliseconds or shorter is a good latency period, although online gamers will want 30 milliseconds or fewer. With a long latency, even high-speed internet plans will experience frustrating delays.

Once you’ve figured out what internet speeds you’re getting from AT&T, write those numbers down and then run the internet speed test again after you’ve tried a few of our tips and tricks. Check out some free and simple things you can do to boost your AT&T internet speeds:

  • Move your router to a centralized location in your house and ensure it isn’t blocked by furniture or walls.
  • Turn off all unused devices, such as phones, laptops, tablets, and smart TVs.
  • Exit all unused applications.
  • Check your computer for viruses or malware and if necessary, run a free malware removal software.
  • Clear your cache.
  • Use an ethernet cord for your laptop or computer.

Once you’ve tried the above troubleshooting solutions, run your internet speed test again. If your download speeds are still slow, then you may need to fork over some cash for a new modem, router, or WiFi range extender, which expands the range of your signal.
Last but not least, you may need to consider upgrading to a faster AT&T internet plan or switching internet service providers altogether. Switching to a new internet service provider may help you cut your spending since most providers offer a discounted intro rate for new customers. Typically, these intro rates are locked in for 1-2 years, depending on the provider. It’s not uncommon for budget-minded customers to switch internet service providers every year or two in order to benefit from these discounts.


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