How to Keep Your Internet on When the Power Is Out (2024)

Brutal heat and violent storms can wreak havoc on strained power grids, and this summer may be one of the worst on record. If extreme weather or any other power-disrupting event knocks your power out, it could take your internet connection with it.

Unlike other causes for internet outages, loss of power can be more difficult to overcome. There are a few ways, however, to restore and maintain your online connection, even if the power is still out.

If you’re reading this, your power may be out and you need to restore your internet connection quickly. In that case, I’ll get right to it: Here’s how to stay connected to the internet when you lose power.

Quick fix: Mobile hotspot and tethering

Activating a mobile hotspot on your phone essentially turns the device into a router, broadcasting its mobile internet connection for other devices to use. It’s not the same as your home Wi-Fi — speeds are likely to be much slower and will only support a limited number of devices — but it should get you by.

Read more: How to Use Your iPhone or Android Phone as a Mobile Hotspot.

Locating local internet providers

Tethering is similar in that it shares your phone’s internet data with other devices, but it does so via a wired (USB or Ethernet) or Bluetooth connection rather than Wi-Fi. A few things to keep in mind when using a mobile hotspot or tethering:

  • Having the mobile hotspot function on your phone doesn’t necessarily mean the service is included with your cellular plan.
  • The connection only works until your phone dies. Consider charging it in your car (if you can safely access it) if your battery starts to run low before the power comes back on.
  • You'll be using you data. If you have a cap, using a mobile hotspot can put you over the limit, which can result in added fees or throttled speeds. Even if your mobile plan offers "unlimited" data, there may be a soft cap or a limit specific to hotspot use.

Contact your cellular service provider to find out if mobile hotspot use is included in your plan and if any data limits apply. If you have a data cap, check out CNET's guide to managing your data use.

Automatic fix: Cellular internet backup

Select internet providers offer a separate cellular plan or service add-on to keep you online. Xfinity's Storm-Ready Wi-Fi and T-Mobile's Home Internet Backup plans provide equipment and a cellular connection, for example, when your standard connection goes down.

Storm-Ready Wi-Fi is available to Xfinity Internet customers for $7 a month for 36 months or a one-time fee of $252 for the rechargeable 4-hour battery backup. When the power goes out or your cable internet connection is lost, internet service automatically switches to a 4G LTE cellular connection with unlimited data.

T-Mobile offers a 5G home internet connection (where available) but with a data cap and a slightly higher monthly fee. The Home Internet Backup plan includes 130GB of data and free equipment starting at $30 a month or $20 for T-Mobile voice customers.

You will need power to the T-Mobile router, however, so if you intend to use your Home Internet Backup service during power outages, you may want to invest in a battery backup or other portable power device.

Long-term fix: Generators or other power sources

Getting power to the modem or router may be all you need to keep your internet going when the power goes out.

In many cases, a local power outage doesn’t stop internet service from coming to your home. Wireless and fiber internet don't need power to travel, though a power outage at the point of distribution may cause a temporary outage.

Cable internet requires power to the nodes (connection points that send internet service along), but many ISPs will have a backup power source, enabling them to keep your internet service going.

So the problem isn't necessarily getting internet service to your home. It’s how to use it. Without power to your modem or ONT device, you can’t connect to the internet and without power to your router, there's no Wi-Fi.

Portable power stations and generators are ideal for continuously powering things like your refrigerator, heaters, fans or internet equipment. Here are some helpful links to finding the right power device for your home and needs.

  • Best Generator Deals
  • Home Generator Buying Guide
  • Best Tested Portable Power Stations in 2024
  • How Big of a Home Generator Do You Need?

What about battery backups or a UPS?

Rechargeable battery backups will keep your internet equipment running for a few hours at best before needing to be recharged. Without a power source, this can be difficult, but a solar battery may be the solution.

As for a UPS, or uninterruptible power supply, most devices aren't designed to last more than 15 minutes or so. That's long enough to save your work or send any last-minute emails before losing your connection, but not much more.

Keep connected and stay safe

Maintaining your internet connection is important when the power goes out, particularly if you're using it for information or communication, but safety comes first. Always use caution when dealing with electrical equipment, and avoid tampering with any internet lines coming into your home.

For more tips on how to make the most of your home internet connection, check out the CNET Home Internet page. Be sure to visit the CNET Home Energy and Utilities page for more info related to your home's power supply.

How to Keep Your Internet on When the Power Is Out (2024)

FAQs

How to Keep Your Internet on When the Power Is Out? ›

Quick fix: Mobile hotspot and tethering

How to keep internet on during power outage? ›

You can use a generator to power your modem, router, or gateway, to get online during a power outage. ISPs install generators and backup batteries to keep networks operational during a power outage.

How to keep Wi-Fi on without electricity? ›

Rechargeable battery backups will keep your internet equipment running for a few hours at best before needing to be recharged. Without a power source, this can be difficult, but a solar battery may be the solution.

How do I stay connected to the Internet all the time? ›

Here's how you can address each issue:
  1. Upgrade Your Router or Modem. An outdated or faulty device is often a culprit when the internet keeps dropping. ...
  2. Increase Internet Speed. ...
  3. Contact Your ISP. ...
  4. Improve Your Wi-Fi Signal. ...
  5. Update Software and Drivers. ...
  6. Limit Devices on Your Network. ...
  7. Secure Your Network.

How to fix internet when power goes out? ›

The solution is simple: Restart your equipment by unplugging it, waiting 30 seconds or so, plugging it back in and allowing it to reboot. More often than not, this will resolve your Wi-Fi outage.

How do you stay connected during a power outage? ›

Ways to Stay Connected During a Power Outage
  1. Make alternate plans before an outage. ...
  2. Keep a backup charger or battery pack handy. ...
  3. Use your cellphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot. ...
  4. Connect online with your cellular data. ...
  5. Sign up for outage alerts.

How do I get internet when living off the grid? ›

The easiest way to get internet off grid is to use your local cell carrier, given you have reception even in remote locations. You don't need to buy any additional devices and can continue using your cell plan without extra costs. You can use your smartphone to create a hotspot to share the data with other devices.

Is there Wi-Fi that works without power? ›

What is Storm-Ready WiFi? Storm-Ready WiFi from Xfinity includes a Storm-Ready device and battery backup to help keep your home online for up to 4 hours through network and power outages with unlimited cellular data on a 4G LTE cellular network. What is included in the box with Storm-Ready WiFi?

How do I keep my Wi-Fi from turning off? ›

  1. Update your network adapter drivers. ...
  2. Reset your computer's network settings. ...
  3. Try your computer's built-in network troubleshooter. ...
  4. Make sure your modem and router have the latest firmware. ...
  5. Check your router log.
Jun 17, 2024

How to get an uninterrupted internet connection? ›

Keep your router in a central location, preferably in a high place, to ensure maximum coverage. Avoid placing your router in closed spaces or near walls, as this can cause signal interference and reduce the speed of your internet connection.

How do I connect to Wi-Fi continuously? ›

Step 1: Reboot Your Router

If your Wi-Fi keeps dropping, your first step in troubleshooting should be rebooting your router. This allows your router to reset and may fix any any potential issues your router is having once it restarts. Every router is different, but it should be user-friendly to reboot your device.

How do I stop my internet connection from timing out? ›

These steps can help you quickly get back online and stay connected to the internet.
  1. Try a different device. ...
  2. Check your internet connection. ...
  3. Restart your router. ...
  4. Clear your browser cache and cookies. ...
  5. Disable browser extensions. ...
  6. Check for browser updates. ...
  7. Disable your Firewall or Antivirus temporarily. ...
  8. Flush DNS Cache.

Why won't my Wi-Fi stay connected to the Internet? ›

Check your router's settings (typically in the "Wireless" tab) and make sure that it is set to "Auto," "Mixed," or something similar. If there are other wireless devices in the area, they can interfere with the signal so much that the Wii console will not be able to connect to the router.

How do you fix your internet when it goes out? ›

Top 5 quick fixes for internet issues
  1. Restart your modem and router or internet gateway (modem/router combo) An equipment restart is the golden rule of internet troubleshooting. ...
  2. Check your wires and cables. ...
  3. Move your router to a better spot. ...
  4. Test a different website or online activity. ...
  5. Check for an outage.
Jan 4, 2024

Why does my Wi-Fi keep disconnecting after a power outage? ›

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.

Do you still have internet if the power goes out? ›

In many cases, a local power outage doesn't stop internet service from coming to your home. Wireless and fiber internet don't need power to travel, though a power outage at the point of distribution may cause a temporary outage.

Does the internet still work if power goes out? ›

In many cases, a local power outage doesn't stop internet service from coming to your home. Wireless and fiber internet don't need power to travel, though a power outage at the point of distribution may cause a temporary outage.

How to keep internet running during load shedding without a UPS? ›

In order for your WIFI to remain online and beat the load shedding, you will only need to power your ONT / Fibre router, and you'll have an uninterrupted connection, so you can work from your laptop, tablet or cell phone until the power is back on.

How do I bypass internet blackouts? ›

How to bypass an internet shutdown
  1. Download a VPN. ...
  2. Use Tor. ...
  3. Sideload Apps. ...
  4. Create a Mesh Network. ...
  5. Get Satellite Internet. ...
  6. What countries shut down the internet the most? ...
  7. Can the internet be shut down worldwide?
May 30, 2024

Does leaving the internet on use electricity? ›

It might also be convenient to leave your router or modem on so you can access the internet anytime but doing so adds to your electricity bill.

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