Why Is Verizon Not Working In 2024? The Top 10 Reasons

As a telecom expert with over a decade of experience, I often help consumers troubleshoot why their Verizon wireless, Fios, or hotspot connections fail. From network outages to software flaws, there are a variety of factors that can disrupt service.

Verizon reported over 112 million wireless subscribers in 2022 across consumer and business accounts. With so many customers dependent on their devices and internet for work and life, outages lead to an estimated $10 billion in annual losses across industries according to 2021 data.

Below I detail the top 10 reasons why Verizon might not be working for you right now, along with actionable tips to restore service:

1. Widespread Network Outages

Network outages that impact thousands of customers at once are primarily caused by equipment failures at cell towers or data centers. Inclement weather, power loss, construction mishaps, and other issues can also trigger mass service interruptions.

According to Verizon‘s latest reliability report in 2024, the company is actively upgrading infrastructure to limit outages. However, their sheer size as the #1 telecom provider means regional issues still periodically occur.

What to do: Check Verizon‘s live outage map to confirm if there is a known issue in your state and when services may be restored. You can also follow Verizon Support on Twitter for real-time updates.

2. Suspended Accounts

If your bill is past due or your data usage drastically exceeds your plan‘s monthly cap, Verizon reserves the right to suspend accounts. Using third-party apps and services to unlawfully bypass throttling or other measures also constitutes breach of terms.

What to do: Contact Verizon Support via phone, chat, or social media to determine if your account was suspended. Then take any necessary steps to regain access such as making a payment or reviewing your plan options for higher data limits.

3. SIM Card Damage

The SIM card inside your Verizon devices contains key data that allows you to connect to cell towers and verify your identity on the network. Damage such as scratches, cracks, water exposure or overheating can disrupt this signal.

One Quora analysis estimates that even tiny scratches reduce SIM card lifespans by up to 28%. So inspect yours carefully!

What to do: Eject your SIM card without bending it, check for any signs of damage, then reinsert carefully by following your device guides. If issues persist, obtaining a replacement SIM from Verizon should immediately restore lost signals.

4. Outdated Device Software

As Verizon evolves their network technology to support new 5G capabilities and greater capacity, failing to upgrade your device’s software can impede connectivity. Apps can also end compatibility with older smartphone operating systems over time.

Per Verizon’s 2023 Q1 metrics, over 93% of their postpaid phone subscribers now use 5G-capable devices. So software is key for leveraging their full service range.

What to do: Manually check ‘Settings‘ for any pending software updates on your Verizon smartphone, tablet, hotspots or other connected devices such as smartwatches. For fixing frozen update failures, rebooting devices can help force changes.

5. Third-Party Company Outages

Since Verizon relies on infrastructure from third parties for transmission equipment, fiber, power utilities and more, other companies‘ network issues also create service interruptions. The odds of this increases as Verizon‘s 5G expansion depends on rented access to wider-reaching fiber optic systems.

What to do: When Verizon confirms disruptions stem from external network providers or power companies, unfortunately patience is the only solution. Continue monitoring Verizon‘s updates for estimates on when full functionality should return across integrated systems.

6. WiFi Calling Problems

Verizon utilizes Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and WiFi Calling to enhance coverage where cellular towers can‘t reach. But home router firmware flaws, interference from nearby devices, range limits on extenders and even household construction materials can block signals.

Per Verizon‘s troubleshooting guides, WiFi Calling works best when users are 15-20 feet away from routers in the same room without obstructions between devices. So changes to this environment or router age can newly impact service.

What to do: First reboot the Verizon router and connected products, then evaluate interference factors. Adjusting router and/or extender placement along with updating firmware may help. If issues started after altering home layout, restoring previous device locations can pinpoint the cause.

7. Faulty Cell Towers

Cell towers contain extremely sensitive antennas, transmitters and networking gear vital for routing voice/data traffic across Verizon‘s CDMA, 4G LTE and 5G networks. Damage from severe weather, ongoing wear and tear, power fluctuations or sabotage can all sometimes disrupt localized towers.

A 2021 FCC report found Verizon averaged around 120 cell site outages per month, largely stemming from preventable equipment failures according to the analysis. So issues are reasonably common albeit typically brief.

What to do: Confirm tower outages via Verizon Network Fleet‘s public outage map if localized connection problems persist over 24+ hours. Then contact Support for credit related to the disruption while technicians work to replace damaged components.

8. Exceeding Coverage Area

Although Verizon touts their 4G LTE network as covering over 230 million Americans in 2024, rural limitations still exist. Venturing outside mapped coverage zones in remote areas risks losing steady signals especially as obstacles like hills and trees intensify the effects.

What to do: Refer to Verizon‘s latest coverage map details matching your subscribed services to understand realistic expectations for your usage radius across different topographies. Sourcing external antennas and signal boosters could expand feasible range.

9. International Roaming Limits

When traveling abroad, Verizon‘s roaming partnerships facilitate LTE access in over 200 destinations. However speeds get throttled to 256kbps after 512 MB daily – barely enough for email after quick video/music streaming. Paying for TravelPass high-speed data passes helps avoid caps but can still leave coverage gaps.

Per Verizon‘s 2023 travel policies, customers requiring full performance for international work/streaming are better off arranging localized SIM rentals or temporary plans aligned with trip durations.

What to do: Before traveling for work or leisure, study Verizon‘s roaming fine print to make any necessary voice/data preparations. Purchasing a separate SIM card tailored to your travel country may better sustain desired speeds with less hassle.

10. Account Authentication Issues

Getting erroneously locked out of Verizon accounts can abruptly suspend service by blocking online payments, usage tracking and support. Causes range from forgetting login credentials to automatic securityholds from too many failed access attempts. Resolving problems requires reaching Support channels while signed out – adding hassle.

Verizon discloses around 3.5 million accounts suffer blocked access attempts annually due to credential stuffing attacks. So legitimate users getting inadvertently flagged happens at scale, especially if recycling old passwords.

What to do: Setup Verizon account passcode managers, multi-factor authentication and other identity protections to reduce lockout risks. But if your lines stop working unexpectedly, still prepare to validate identity off-network before support teams can restore service.