Some things are beyond our control, and one of them is the electricity going out. Like internet connection, strength is something many of us don’t think many about ,  , ( or until we get the costs– here’s how to reduce your internet costs ). When the power goes out, it properly disconnects you by taking everything that’s plugged into the electrical grid, including your modem and network.
If you’re wondering if staying electronically during a power failure is possible, rest assured. If your power is out for a few hours or a few days, here’s how you can be connected to the internet when you lose power, whether it is due to severe winter weather or a blown circuit.
Our leading three advice for staying connected during a power outage are:
- Use a wireless hotspot or biological data connection
- Sign up for a copy online service
- Purchase a machine or another power source.
A quick repair: Mobile hub and tethering
In essence, turning your phone into a router sends its wireless internet connection to other devices when you activate a wireless hotspot. Although it’s not identical to your home Wi-Fi, which is likely to be much slower and solely support a select few products, it should suffice.
Read more: .
Tethering is similar in that it shares your phone’s internet data with other devices, but it does so via a wired ( USB or ) or Bluetooth connection rather than Wi-Fi. A few things to keep in mind when using a wireless hotspot or blocking:
- The wireless hub feature on your phone does not always imply that the service is included with your mobile plan.
- The link doesn’t continue until your smartphone stops working. If you can safely get it inside your car, think about charging it when the device starts to run low before the power turns up on.
- You’ll get using your information. Use of a wireless hotspot can cause you to exceed the cap, which could lead to higher fees or slower speeds. Even if your mobile program offers “unlimited” information, there may be a soft cover or a control specific to router use.
Call your cell phone provider to find out if your plan includes portable hotspot use and if data caps apply. If your data usage is subject to a cover, refer to CNET’s guideline for managing your files use.
Automatic fix: Cellular online backup services
To keep you connected online, some internet service providers provide a distinct biological program or services add-on. ,  ,  , and AT&, T’s home computer backup plans provide equipment and a biological connection, for example, when your regular connection goes down.
Storm-Ready Wi-Fi is available to 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 damaged, web service automatically switches to a 4G LTE mobile network with infinite information.
T-Mobile offers a 5G home computer network where available, but it only has enough information for 7 days of use and has a slightly higher monthly payment. Starting at$ 20 per month or$ 10 per customer for T-Mobile voice, the Home Internet Backup plan includes free equipment.
You may want to invest in a battery storage or another lightweight energy system if you intend to use your Home Internet Backup service during power outages because you will need electricity for the T-Mobile router.
AT&, T recently introduced its Home Internet Backup support for AT&, T Fiber and available AT&, T postpaid mobile users. This service is only available for customers with AT&, T’s BGW320 gateway routers. Users of and can quickly access this service using the Smart Home Manager app.
Long-term fix: Generators or other power sources
When the power goes out, it might be all you need to power your internet connection to the modem or router to keep it going.
In many cases, a local power outage doesn’t stop internet service from coming to your home. Power is not required for wireless and , even though a power outage at the distribution site might lead to a temporary outage.
requires power to the nodes ( connection points that transmit internet service ), but many ISPs will have a backup power source that will keep your internet service running.
So the issue isn’t necessarily bringing internet access into your home. It’s how to access 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.
and generators are ideal for continuously powering things like your refrigerator, heaters, fans or internet equipment. Although generators can cost a lot, you can frequently find trustworthy ones on sale. Check out our and find out how to choose the right generator if you’re unsure of which one is best for your home.
What about a UPS or battery backup?
Rechargeable battery backups will allow you to use your internet for as little as two hours before needing to recharge. Without a power source, this can be difficult, but a .
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.
What if my internet connection is still down but my power is restored?
Like most , the problem likely lies at the source of your connection, the modem and router. A simple could fix your equipment’s malfunction due to the power outage, which is a possibility. In the case of electrical storms, a power surge may have damaged your equipment, rendering it inoperable. To prevent this, consider plugging your router into a .
If your modem and router seem to be working fine, but you still can’t get online, it’s possible that your ISP is experiencing an outage. Your power may be back on, but theirs might still be out, putting strain on their ability to provide service.
After your power goes out, network or infrastructure issues could keep your internet out as well. Downed telephone lines will cause your to be hampered by the remaining precipitation or cloud cover in your area, while downed internet may be a problem. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do in such situations. It’s like a power outage, you’ll just have to wait until service is restored.
Stay safe and stay connected.
When the power goes out, especially if you’re using it for information or communication, keeping your internet connection up is crucial, but safety comes first. Always use caution when using electrical equipment, and stay away from tampering with any home’s internet connections.
Check out the page for more information on how to maximize your home internet connection. For more details on your home’s power supply, make sure to visit the CNET Home Energy and Utility pages.
FAQs on how to keep your internet active during a power outage
What is the simplest way to stay online while a power outage occurs?
If available, the quickest and easiest way to stay connected is by using a cellular hotspot. Additionally, your mobile device will act as a router and send the internet to other devices. There are other ways to connect to the internet, such as purchasing a power generator or power source or using an alternative internet backup plan, but these options may come with additional costs.
Use your iPhone or Android device as a mobile hotspot: learn more.
What internet service providers provide cellular internet backup?
Select providers like Xfinity, T-Mobile and AT&, T offer internet backup plans and equipment. When your typical home internet connection is down, a temporary alternative connection is essential.
For only$ 7 a month for 3 years of service, Xfinity provides equipment with its . In select areas, T-Mobile features a 5G-home internet backup connection, which comes with 130GB of data and free equipment, starting at$ 20 a month or$ 10 for T-Mobile voice customers. For its fiber and eligible postpaid wireless customers, AT&, T’s most recent is also available.
What if my internet is still down despite having my power turned back on?
A simple router restart would be good for you if your equipment had broken during a power outage. Even if your power is back on, there are times when a quick fix might not be sufficient to connect to the internet. Your equipment might be damaged if an electrical storm caused the power outage.
Larger network and infrastructure disruptions might also occur. In addition, your ISP could be facing an outage. In this case, there’s not much you can do but wait until service is restored.
How can I protect my internet from electrical damage?
Depending on the nature of outage, there’s a chance of power surges happening when electricity is restored. The sudden return can sometimes fry your hardware, rendering it non-functional. Therefore, you should plug your router and modem into a surge protector to protect your internet hardware from damage. And depending on your system, getting a new setup can be pricey.
Read more: