Is Spectrum Internet Down?

If Spectrum is your internet provider and you’re having trouble connecting, start with a speed test to see if you’re in an outage.

First, reconnect to your  Spectrum Wi-Fi. Then, click below.

What to look for in your speed test results

If you’re in a Spectrum outage, the speed test will say “Loading,” and a light blue circle will spin, but you won’t get any results.

If you get results that show download speeds, upload speeds, and latency, though, you aren’t in an outage.

You could still be having problems, of course. Ideally, you should get speeds reasonably close to what your plan promises, but you need the following for a healthy fiber or fixed wireless connection:

• Download speeds of at least 20Mbps
• Upload speeds of at least 5Mbps
• Latency of less than 100 ms

How to troubleshoot Spectrum connection issues

If you get stuck on “Loading” on the speed test above, go through the steps below one by one.

Step 1: Check your Spectrum wireless gateway (router + modem). A solid white light means you’re connected, a blinking white light means the system is setting up, and an amber or red light means no connection.

Step 2: Check your Ethernet and power cables to make sure they are connected securely and haven’t been damaged.

Step 3: Try logging into your Spectrum network with a different device, such as a gaming console, smart TV, or smartphone. Try both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections.

Step 4: Restart (or unplug and reboot) your affected devices and your gateway. A full reboot usually takes about 10 minutes.

Step 5: Check your My Spectrum app or Spectrum account for any outage-related notifications.

Check the lights on your router

Spectrum offers a variety of internet gateway models, and yours will depend on your plan and when you signed up. For most models, a steady blue light means you’re connected to the internet, while flashing blue means setup is underway. A red light means you don’t have an internet connection, and no light means you aren’t connected to power.

Learn more and troubleshoot your Spectrum connection

• How To Troubleshoot Your Spectrum Wi-Fi
• How Often Should You Reboot Your Router?
• Your Guide to Spectrum Internet Installation
• Internet Troubleshooting Hub

Still can’t get online? Contact Spectrum

If you still can’t get online, it’s time to contact Spectrum support. You’ll need the phone number of the account holder or your Spectrum account number. You can find that number at the top left corner of your printed bill or the top right corner of our account page online.

In the My Spectrum app, tap Your Account in the top-right corner of the home screen, and then tap View Account Info.

Does Spectrum offer refunds?

Spectrum doesn’t offer automatic refunds to home internet customers, but you may be able to ask for a refund if you’ve had a lot of problems.

Here’s the official policy, according to the terms of service: “Spectrum may give credit with respect to Subscriber’s recurring monthly subscription fee for qualifying outages.” But Spectrum maintains it isn’t required to do so.

Leave a review about your Spectrum service

If you’re a Spectrum customer, we want to hear from you! Your honest reviews help us give better advice to other customers looking for great home internet. Once you’re done, check out what other Spectrum customers have to say.

Write a Spectrum internet review

Read other Spectrum reviews

How Spectrum compares

Spectrum offers service in states and cities throughout the country, so it competes with dozens of internet providers. Here’s a look at what to expect if you’re thinking of switching:

Spectrum vs. AT&T: AT&T offers both 5G and fiber internet service, depending on your address. If you can get AT&T Fiber where you live, you will usually get faster speeds at better prices than you would with Spectrum, but you may be able to find a slower budget plan from Spectrum. If only AT&T Internet Air is available, though, Spectrum’s cable internet is the better option.

Spectrum vs. Verizon: Verizon also offers both 5G home internet and fiber internet under the brand name Verizon Fios. In terms of speed and reliability, choose fiber first, then cable, then 5G home internet. If you don’t use the internet much but still need a home internet service, though, you might be able to save by bundling Verizon’s 5G fixed wireless offering with your Verizon mobile phone bill.

Spectrum vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: If you have a choice of either T-Mobile or Spectrum, you’re probably looking at cable vs. fixed wireless internet. While cable is still usually your best option, T-Mobile’s 5G home internet has a solid reputation. You get the best deals when you bundle with mobile.

My take: Troubleshoot, then shop Spectrum alternatives

Spectrum offers solid cable internet service, and cable internet may be the most reliable internet option you have at your address. However, 5G home internet is getting better all the time, and providers nationwide have been building out fiber internet infrastructure.

We recommend Spectrum often, and encourage you to contact the company to troubleshoot before you jump ship. That said, we also recommend shopping for a new internet provider about once a year.

Who knows, you might have more options than you thought! Learn how to switch internet providers in five easy steps.

Read more about Spectrum

• Spectrum Advanced WiFi vs. INVINCIBLE WiFi
• Is Bundling Spectrum Internet and Mobile Worth It?
• How To Get Low-Income Internet Through Spectrum
• Fiber vs. Cable Internet: Compare Options and Providers

Spectrum outage FAQ