How to get internet during a power outage

In a world of constant device usage with remote work, social media scrolling, browsing, and smart homes, even a brief power outage can feel like a big deal. That’s why knowing how to get internet during a power outage is crucial.

Even if your provider’s network is still up, your modem or router still needs electricity to deliver Wi-Fi throughout your home.

Without power, everything from attending work meetings to keeping in touch with family is harder. It’s not impossible—you can still get internet during a power outage by:

• Using your smartphone as a hotspot
• Having a portable hotspot device on standby
• Setting up 5G or 4G backup through your internet provider
• Investing in an emergency power supply (backup battery or generator)
• Using public Wi-Fi until power returns

Some of these solutions are best for short outages; others work better for longer ones. Either way, you can feel more confident about how to get Wi-Fi during a power outage.

First steps to confirm the outage

The moment you lose your Wi-Fi signal and the lights go out, it’s time to investigate. First, figure out what caused the outage so you know what to do next.

• Check your breaker – Head to the breaker box to see if any circuit breakers have flipped. It’s possible that only a section of your home has lost power. If you tripped the breaker in the room where your Wi-Fi router is located, simply flipping it back on may fix your problem. If all your breakers are still in the “On” position, you may be dealing with a wider outage.
• Check with your utility provider – Use your smartphone (which may still have a cellular connection) to check your utility provider’s website or app to view the outage map and see if your area is affected. If it is, you’ve likely found the reason for your power loss.
• Check with your internet service provider (ISP) – In some cases, a small-scale power outage may not affect the wider network, but local equipment can still lose power. However, your network may also be down, especially if there’s severe weather or another emergency. To double-check, use the mobile data on your phone or tablet to visit your ISP’s outage page or app.

Once you know what caused the outage, take action. Ultimately, your goal is to restore power to the essential components of your Wi-Fi setup—your modem, router, and (if you have fiber) your optical network terminal (ONT).

Also, prioritize charging your phone and any power banks—you never know how long an outage will last.

The good news is that there are several ways to regain an internet connection, even if you don’t have backup power for your home internet gear.

Use your phone as a hotspot

Since your smartphone may still be able to connect to the cellular network during an outage, use it to create a temporary Wi-Fi hotspot. Connect your devices to it—like a laptop or tablet.

To turn on your personal hotspot, navigate to your phone’s settings, locate the hotspot option, and enable it. Now your phone is basically acting like a Wi-Fi router. Devices with the correct password can connect.

Because an open hotspot is easy for others to join, it’s wise to secure yours with a strong password. Choose a password that can’t be easily guessed and share it only with trusted people.

Protecting your personal hotspot matters because everything connected to it uses your mobile data. Even if you’re the only one using your hotspot, you can quickly burn through your monthly data allowance.

Depending on your plan, you could incur fees or face slowed-down speeds if you exceed your limit. To avoid burning through all your data in a single day without power, here’s how to lower data usage during a power outage:

• Limit streaming, gaming, and other non-essential tasks
• Close unnecessary apps
• Turn on your phone’s data-saver mode
• Connect only essential devices (like your work laptop)
• Set a data cap or a high-usage warning
• Monitor your data usage frequently

When you keep an eye on hotspot usage, you can get through the outage and still have data left for the rest of the month.

If your mobile data is limited, consider a few alternatives.

Use a portable hotspot or 5G/4G backup

Another quick fix is to have a backup internet solution readily available. These solutions take a little planning, so if your power is on right now, consider:

• A portable hotspot – A dedicated device that creates a backup Wi-Fi connection is often more dependable than your smartphone’s hotspot. Hotspots rely on a separate SIM card with a data plan you can use quickly during an outage as long as the device is charged. Many portable hotspots can last longer than a phone hotspot session and may offer a stronger signal.
• A 5G or 4G internet backup – Some ISPs offer plans with automatic failover. If your power goes out and your internet drops, but you have compatible equipment and backup power for the hub, it can switch over automatically. Best of all, this can help if your wired internet goes down. If you’ve been wondering why you should care about 5G, this may be your answer—a reliable 5G network can keep you connected when your Wi-Fi goes out.

These solutions are great if you need a lot of Wi-Fi (work, school, or gaming). Portable hotspot devices and internet backup services can provide a workable connection during an outage.

As long as you keep these tools charged and ready, you can get through a long outage with minimal changes to your daily routine.

A more powerful solution can restore your Wi-Fi connection and also provide power for other important tasks.

Keep your modem and Wi-Fi powered

When the power goes out, you can turn to at-home backup power sources. Depending on your electricity needs, you have three common options:

• A small UPS – An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is an emergency power source that runs on an internal battery. UPSs kick in as soon as the power goes out. By plugging your modem and router into a UPS, you can avoid sudden disconnects. The catch? Some small UPS units only last a few minutes. They’re designed to buy you time, not power your devices long-term.
• A mid-sized inverter – An inverter can provide power from a battery source during an outage. Plug your modem and router into the inverter, and you’ll have an internet connection that lasts up to several hours, depending on the size of your inverter. (If it’s fuel-powered, only run the inverter outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.)
• A full-home backup generator – A whole-home generator can power your house (including your Wi-Fi) for hours—or longer, depending on fuel and load. Large generators are a good fit if you experience frequent power outages or live in an area with severe weather. Full-home generators may be costly, but they offer the most normalcy during an outage.

Whichever backup power solution you choose, you’ll want to conserve energy as long as possible, especially if you’re not sure when the outage will end. With a few handy tips, you can make your power source last longer.

Save power and data

Streaming and video calls can drain batteries fast, so it helps to keep these to a minimum to save both power and data. You can also:

• Enable low-power mode on all active devices
• Pause auto-updates, backups, and downloads until power returns
• Rotate charging between devices and try to keep batteries between 20% and 80% when you can
• Use audio only for calls and meetings
• Switch to standard definition (SD) quality when video is necessary
• Pre-download important documents before a storm hits

Outages can often last longer than expected, so a little planning can go a long way to keep you connected longer.

Protect your gear and prep ahead

The last thing you want is for an outage to catch you unprepared. While outages are often unexpected, you can avoid major disruptions to your life by staying ready.

Start with a simple power-outage plan. Your to-do list should include:

• Creating an “outage kit” with spare cables and batteries
• Testing UPS batteries and portable chargers twice a year
• Talking to your internet provider about backup Wi-Fi options
• Installing surge protectors to safeguard your modem, router, and fiber ONT
• Mapping out nearby businesses with public Wi-Fi connections

If you pair a reliable backup setup with a quick-fix plan (like using a phone or portable hotspot), you can improve your chances of staying connected during outages.

To prepare for the next power outage, start putting the plan and devices you need in place with us. Our unlimited mobile data plans keep your phone connected when the Wi-Fi drops out, while our hotspot devices can help you get online in many situations (as long as you have coverage and power).

For even more resilience, explore AT&T Fiber internet and choose the best plan to keep you connected when it matters most.