One of the best early warning systems of a Wifi internet outage is children. “What happened to the Wifi?!” is a cry well-known to parents, educators and the like and the most vocal heads up you can get that your wireless internet access recently stopped working.
Today’s modern home has much more than just a laptop relying on Wifi connectivity. There can be dozens of devices that require wireless internet to function including TVs, computers, tablets, thermostats, smart doors, and security systems. If your internet stops working, there are a number of possibilities for the cause. Power outages are usually obvious, so if it looks like the power is still on, click on the article link below for an easy checklist to help you identify the problem.
{See: Internet not working? Before you call for help, check this}
If you are experiencing a power outage, however, and your Wifi has stopped working as well, here’s what you need to know and how we can help.
Wireless internet access relies on devices that require power such as our towers in the field or routers in the home. When the power goes out, those devices stop working, which means you’ll lose your connection. Loss of power at some point in time is inevitable, but we want to assure you that we have systems in place for dealing with this as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Planned power outages: Anyone who has ever been in the middle of writing a very long email or report on their computer and experienced a sudden power outage that causes them to lose 20 minutes of work will most likely agree that knowing about a power outage ahead of time is much better than unexpected outages.
If we are planning on equipment maintenance anywhere in our service area, or know of a planned SMUD/PG&E power outage, we will announce those plans well ahead of time on our Facebook page, Twitter feed, or the Network Status page on our website.
Unplanned power outages: Weather, heat, and even accidents such as falling trees can happen that cause power outages and loss of internet access. All Softcom internet towers have backup power supplies that will keep our systems running for a short while as we dispatch local crews as quickly as possible to assess and address the problem. In these cases, we will post updates to social media as soon as we can to keep our customers informed as we work to solve the problem as quickly as we can.
Finally, if your power comes back on but the internet still isn’t working, one of the most common issues is the Wifi router. Most of the time all you need to do is “reboot” the router by simply unplugging the power cable from the wall for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. (Note: DO NOT press the “reset” button or any other buttons on your router, this can erase the configuration on your router, requiring reconfiguration. Only do this if directed to by a member of our support department.)
If all else fails, give our technical support department at call at 1-800-982-7675, Opt. 1. Or you could also take advantage of this unexpected break from the internet by cleaning out your desk, indulging in a few yoga poses, or taking the dog for a walk. As a valued Softcom customer, we’ve got your back, and we’ll do all we can, as quickly as we can, to help you get online and stay online at the fastest speed possible.
FAQs
Power outage FAQs
Do you lose Wi-Fi when the power goes out? Yes, when the power is off, your Wi-Fi service will go out. That's because it relies on hard-wired equipment like routers and gateways.
How does electricity affect Wi-Fi? ›
Electrical devices such as fluorescent lights, motors and other electronic devices can cause interference with WiFi signals. This interference occurs because electrical devices generate electromagnetic fields that can disrupt WiFi signals.
How do I keep my modem running during a power outage? ›
Use a UPS. Another way to keep your router running during a power outage is to use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). UPSs are similar to external backup batteries. Many people, in fact, use the terms “UPS” and “backup battery” synonymously.
How do I fix slow internet after power outage? ›
First, restart your modem and router, or gateway:
- Unplug the power cord and remove any batteries.
- Wait 30 seconds. Really. ...
- Wait up to 10 minutes for everything to get reconnected. Your connection lights should now be solid (not blinking).
- Check your internet connection. It should be back up.
When your home internet connection goes out, it's most likely due to a hiccup with your modem and/or router. The solution is often simple: Restart your equipment by unplugging it, waiting 10 seconds or so, plugging it back in and allowing it to reboot. More often than not, this will resolve your outage.
Why is internet slow during power cut? ›
The internet becomes slow after a sudden power outage because of the power spike that reboots the internet server, resets the Internet Provider's DNS server, damages modem/router components, and causes minor alterations.
Does electricity affect Wi-Fi speed? ›
Power levels of your WiFi equipment also influence speeds. It's not always a case of more is better, when it comes to WiFi power levels. Power levels transmitted by your access points matter and there does need to be enough for sufficient range and coverage.
Can a power outage damage my router? ›
The good news is the most common cause of failure for routers, PCs and other network equipment is heat damage ... AKA heat stress. Power outages rarely damage routers. That said, if you don't have your router plugged into a surge protected outlet, it can get fried when the power returns.
Does power outage affect cellular data? ›
The idea that all cell towers will shut down without power is actually false. The major providers have generators and backup plans to keep service. That's an important distinction. Without power, and without service, people may be tempted to turn their phones off or put them in airplane mode to conserve battery.
Should I unplug my router during power outage? ›
It's strongly recommended that expensive electronics be unplugged during an outage to protect them from power surges when electricity is restored, but for when you can't unplug, surge protectors will help prevent damage to electronics like computers and televisions.
'Your Wi-Fi router doesn't require rest like other devices. It is designed to be working 24/7 and that's every single day of the year. Whenever you turn your router off, it can automatically send signals to your internet provider,' he explains. 'This works as a signal that your internet connection is unstable.
How often should you power off your router? ›
How often you should reboot your router will depend on the performance of your internet speeds and the age of your router. You may need to reboot once a month or as often as every day. Depending on your internet usage, you may be able to stretch out to every couple of months.
Why won't my internet come back on after a power outage? ›
Finally, if your power comes back on but the internet still isn't working, one of the most common issues is the Wifi router. Most of the time all you need to do is “reboot” the router by simply unplugging the power cable from the wall for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
What is the difference between a router and a modem? ›
A modem is a box that connects your home network to your internet service provider, or ISP. A router is a box that lets all of your wired and wireless devices use that internet connection at once and allows them to talk to one another directly.
Why is my Wi-Fi connected but no Internet? ›
Common Causes for Wi-Fi has no internet access
ISP is down. Incorrect internet protocol (IP) address. Security software interfering with internet access. Outdated wireless drivers.
Can a power outage ruin a router? ›
An abrupt loss of power shouldn't cause any damage. However a brown-out could cause hardware damage. Best thing to do if you know you have power issues is to use an UPS. Repeated outages will cause the electronics on a router to malfunction.
Will Xfinity internet work if power goes out? ›
The local Comcast nodes get power from your local utilities, so if there's a wide area blackout, they'll go down also.
Why does my Wi-Fi say connected but no Internet? ›
A common reason why your phone has a WiFi connection but no Internet access is that there is a technical issue with your router. If your router is experiencing any kind of bugs or problems, that affects how your Android devices stay connected to WiFi.
Does router need electricity? ›
Generally, Wi-Fi routers use between 5 and 20 watts (W) of electricity, depending on the model. Most Wi-Fi routers use about 2 amps, connect to a 120 volt outlet, and pull somewhere around 5 to 7 volts. Different wattage Wi-Fi routers use different amounts of electricity over the course of a year.
