NEW YORK — A widespread Verizon network outage left customers across the United States unable to make calls, send text messages or access mobile data Wednesday, disrupting service for tens of thousands of users.
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Reports of problems began mid-morning, with outage-tracking website Downdetector showing a sharp spike in complaints from major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston. Many customers said their phones displayed “SOS” or emergency-only mode, indicating they could not connect to Verizon’s network.
Verizon acknowledged the disruption in a statement, saying technicians were working to restore service as quickly as possible. The company did not immediately say what caused the outage or how long repairs would take.
We are aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers. Our engineers are engaged and are working to identify and solve the issue quickly. We understand how important reliable connectivity is and apologize for the inconvenience.
— Verizon News (@VerizonNews) January 14, 2026
The interruption marked one of the largest service disruptions for the nation’s largest wireless carrier in recent years, affecting voice calls, text messaging and mobile internet access.
Some customers also reported difficulty reaching emergency services and contacting family members, raising concerns about public safety during the outage.
Verizon said it would provide updates as the situation develops.
Nationwide @Verizon Wireless Outage: Outage may affect some users trying to call 911. Call using a device from another carrier, a landline, or go to a police/fire station to report emergencies. To find your precinct: https://t.co/QtknvNamrX
— NYCEM – Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) January 14, 2026