We’ve all experienced it—that unparalleled frustration that occurs when your internet goes out. And no internet service provider is immune to the occasional internet outage, including Cox. Whether you want to get your Cox internet up and running again so you can binge-watch your favorite Netflix show, listen to a new album that just dropped, or hop on a Zoom call with your colleagues, our guide can help you figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it.

In this Cox internet guide:


How to check if there’s a Cox internet outage

If your Cox internet suddenly stops working, the first thing you’ll want to do is determine if your internet service is being disrupted by a Cox network outage, which affects your entire area, not just your home.

Luckily, Cox makes this information readily available to you. To check if Cox’s network is down, log in to your Cox My Account or open the Cox app. Once you log in, you’ll see an alert if there is, in fact, a Cox internet outage in your area. It will look something like this:

If you log in and see that alert, know that Cox is currently working on rectifying the situation in order to restore your internet service. You don’t have to contact Cox or do anything.

Tips while you wait for Cox to restore your internet

Unfortunately, you just have to wait while Cox restores your internet service, but Cox has some helpful tips for what to do while you’re waiting. These include:

  • Avoid rebooting your modem or router—doing so many cause issues.
  • Sign up to receive a text once Cox has resolved the outage. You can do so once you log in to your account or on the Cox app.
  • Use one of Cox’s 650,000+ hotspots if you’re on Cox Internet Preferred or higher.
  • If you have Cox Homelife, don’t worry about your security system—it will still work using a cellular backup.
  • Watch On Demand and live TV with the Contour app, which is free with a Cox TV subscription.


What do I do if there’s a Cox internet outage?

If your app or account alerts you that there’s a Cox internet outage, then you don’t need to do anything at all. Just wait for Cox to restore your service. Unfortunately, we can’t tell you exactly how long that will take, so just sit tight while you wait. Take this time to go on a walk and get some of that vitamin D you’ve been depriving yourself of while you binge-watch Ozark or Outer Banks or Queer Eye.

How do I report a Cox outage?

If the issue is with Cox’s network, you don’t need to report the internet outage to Cox. They are already aware of the issue and are working hard to get your internet up and running again.


What to do if my internet is down

So, you’ve logged in to your Cox My Account and haven’t found any Cox internet outages—what now? There are so many reasons your internet connection may be down, but here are a few things you can try to fix your internet:

  • Check that you’ve paid your Cox bill—late payments could be the reason for service interruption.
  • Try rebooting your router and/or modem.
  • Double-check that the cables connecting your equipment are secure.
  • Test that your outlets are working properly.

If you’ve done all of the above and your Cox internet is still down, you may want to Tweet @CoxHelp on Twitter to get some more assistance. On the other hand, if your internet is working but your speeds are slow, there are a few other things you can try in order to boost your speeds.


How to speed up your Cox internet connection

If your Cox internet is still working but your speeds are extremely slow, you’ll want to use our free internet speed test to check what internet speeds you’re getting. Within seconds, you’ll know your current download speeds, and if you click on “Show More Info,” you’ll also have access to your upload speeds and latency—latency, also known as “ping,” refers to the length of signal delay (hint: you want it to be below 100 milliseconds). Do this internet speed test a few times to establish consistency then write the numbers down later so you can compare them.

Once you’ve figured out your current internet speeds, you can try the following tips and tricks on increasing your Cox internet speeds without paying:

  • Exit all unused applications.
  • Turn off unused devices, such as computers, phones, tablets, etc.
  • Move your router closer to your device or to a more centralized location
  • Check your computer for viruses or malware.
  • Clear your computer cache.
  • Use an ethernet cable for your computer or laptop.

If none of those strategies solves the issue, then you may have to pay some money in order to fix the problem. For example, old equipment can cause a reduction in internet speeds. So if you have an older modem or router, you may want to buy a new one. You could also look into buying a WiFi range extender. These are fairly affordable and can help give your internet the boost it needs.

Lastly, if you’re consistently getting slower internet speeds than you’d like and you’ve tried troubleshooting the problem, you may need faster internet speeds. Consider upgrading to a faster Cox internet plan or switching internet service providers altogether. Switching to a new ISP may save you money since most offer introductory rates that last for one or two years before the plan rates increase.


Best Cox high-speed internet plans


Best high-speed internet plans