New York City, October 17, 2025
News Summary
A significant Verizon outage impacted customers across numerous major U.S. cities on October 17, with reports of mobile and internet service disruption rising sharply. Users experienced problems, particularly with mobile connectivity. The outage peaked at over 7,500 complaints but declined significantly by morning. Most regions regained their service by 6 AM, and Verizon is investigating the cause. The incident underscored the essential role of telecom services for individuals and businesses alike.
New York City – A nationwide outage affecting Verizon customers struck major U.S. cities on October 17, 2025, as thousands reported losing mobile and internet service. Complaints surged from just over 80 on Thursday night to more than 7,500 by 12:20 AM ET Friday, according to data from Downdetector.
By 3:30 AM ET Friday, reports of service disruption decreased to approximately 314. However, this figure still indicated a significant rise above the typical baseline of 29 complaints at that hour. Major cities impacted included New York City, Boston, Washington D.C., Detroit, and Minneapolis, with additional cities reporting service drops such as Atlanta, Houston, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Seattle.
The outage was notably varied, with 52% of reports concerning mobile service disruptions, 40% indicating a complete signal loss, and 8% associated specifically with 5G home internet issues. Users across the country experienced a range of connectivity problems. For example, a resident from Novi, Michigan, reported that their home internet ceased functioning at 12:15 AM, and power cycling the router failed to resolve the issue. In Taylor, Michigan, another user found that both phone lines on their account had stopped working, leading to humorous suggestions that “two tin cans and a string” may have been more effective than Verizon’s service that night.
As the morning approached, reports of outages steadily declined, with most regions regaining their service by 6 AM ET Friday. Although Verizon has not officially commented on the cause of the outage, the company stated that engineers are investigating the situation. This outage posed a significant impact on many individuals, small businesses, and hospitals that rely heavily on consistent connectivity.
Verizon is one of the largest telecom providers in the U.S., serving more than 146 million wireless connections and 10 million broadband connections as of mid-2025. Earlier in October, smaller service interruptions were documented affecting users in North Carolina. In June 2025, Verizon had announced upgrades which included AI-powered support tools designed for faster troubleshooting.
Customers looking for real-time outage updates can turn to Downdetector or visit Verizon’s official support page for information. Many reported issues with various Verizon services, including Fios 5G home internet, Fios Home Internet, LTE Home Internet, and those provided through Straight Talk and Visible by Verizon. Users experiencing issues were advised to check their network status on Verizon’s website.
FAQ
What date did the Verizon outage occur?
The nationwide Verizon outage occurred on October 17, 2025.
How many complaints were reported during the outage?
Complaints surged from just over 80 late Thursday night to more than 7,500 by 12:20 AM ET Friday.
What percentage of outage reports were related to mobile service disruptions?
52% of outage reports were related to mobile service disruptions.
Which cities were majorly affected during the outage?
Major cities affected included New York City, Boston, Washington D.C., Detroit, and Minneapolis.
Is Verizon investigating the cause of the outage?
Yes, Verizon has stated that engineers are investigating the cause of the outage.
Key Features of the Verizon Outage
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Outage | October 17, 2025 |
| Initial Complaints | Over 80 |
| Peak Complaints | More than 7,500 |
| Complaints at 3:30 AM ET | About 314 |
| Mobile Service Disruptions | 52% |
| Cities Affected | New York City, Boston, Washington D.C., Detroit, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Houston, San Francisco, Phoenix, Seattle |
| Status by 6 AM ET | Most regions regained service |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Verizon Addresses Nationwide Network Outages, Assures Quick Resolution
Verizon Outage Sweeps Across the Nation Impacting Thousands, Major Disruptions Reported in Chicago
Verizon Mobile Outage Resolved: Services Restored in Michigan and Across US After Hours of Connectivity Disruptions
Additional Resources
- North Jersey News
- Newsweek
- Hindustan Times
- Phone Arena
- Times of India
- Wikipedia: Verizon Communications
- Google Search: Verizon outage October 17 2025
- Google Scholar: Verizon outage 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Telecommunication
- Google News: Verizon outage October 2025
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER
The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
