When the power goes out, you can stay connected to the internet with the right service. Discover how fiber internet keeps you online during power outages.
The sky darkens, thunder rumbles in the distance, and you glance nervously at your laptop. You're in the middle of an important video call, your kids are streaming in the other room, and your smart home security system is monitoring everything. Then it happens – the lights flicker, and for a split second, your heart sinks. Power outage.
These days, losing power means losing access to work, entertainment, communication, and even home security, not just sitting at home in the dark. A big question on everyone's mind when the power goes out is, “Will my internet keep working?”
The answer depends on your type of internet connection and whether you have a backup plan in place. Today, we'll walk through how fiber internet handles power outages, what equipment you need to stay online, and how to set up backup internet for your home so you can stay connected when the lights go out.
This is one of the most common questions people have, so let's clear it up: No, WiFi does not work if the power is out, unless you have backup power for your wireless router.
That’s because WiFi is the wireless signal your router broadcasts so your devices can connect to the internet. Your router needs electricity to create that signal. No power to the router means no WiFi, even if the internet service itself is technically still available at your address.
The good news is that with the right backup power setup, you can keep WiFi – and your entire home internet connection – up and running during an outage.
Fiber optic cables themselves don't need electricity to carry data. The fiber infrastructure is incredibly resilient – it's not affected by electrical interference, and the cables can keep transmitting light signals whether your power is on or off.
Fiber optic technology has some major advantages when it comes to reliability. Unlike cable or DSL internet, which runs over copper lines that can be damaged by lightning strikes, electrical surges, or weather-related wear and tear, fiber optic cables transmit data using light. That means:
But (and this is the important part), the equipment that connects your home to that fiber network does need power. Your fiber internet’s optical network terminal (ONT), router, and devices all require electricity to function. So while the fiber network itself stays up and running during a power outage, your home internet connection will go down unless you have backup power in place.
Fiber optic technology has some major advantages when it comes to reliability. Unlike cable or DSL internet, which runs over copper lines that can be damaged by lightning strikes, electrical surges, or weather-related wear and tear, fiber optic cables transmit data using light. That means:
So even during widespread power outages, your local fiber network itself often stays operational. Still, if power to your home is interrupted for one reason or another, your fiber internet will also go dark. While your fiber equipment might be safe, it needs a steady stream of electricity to function like normal.
Keeping your home powered and connected means having a backup power solution ready to go in case the power goes out.
There are a few different backup power options, each with its own pros and cons. The right choice depends on how long you need your internet to last during an outage and how much you're willing to invest.
A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) is a battery backup system designed to keep electronics running when the power goes out. Think of it as a surge protector with a built-in battery. When the power cuts out, the UPS instantly switches to battery power, keeping your devices running without any interruption.
The downside? Runtime is limited. A basic UPS will typically keep your ONT and router running for 1–4 hours, depending on the battery capacity and the power draw of your equipment. For short outages – like a storm that knocks out power for an hour or two – that's usually plenty. For longer outages, you'll need a bigger UPS or a different backup solution.
For extended power outages, a whole-home generator is the ultimate backup solution. These systems automatically detect when the power goes out and kick on within seconds, keeping your entire house running, including your internet connection.
The trade-off is cost. Whole-home generators typically run several thousand dollars for purchase and installation, plus ongoing fuel and maintenance costs. But if reliable power (and internet) is a priority, they're hard to beat.
Portable power stations are essentially large rechargeable batteries with multiple outlets. They're more powerful than a UPS and more flexible than a whole-home generator.
These devices are great for:
Setting up backup power for your home internet doesn't have to be complicated. Follow these steps to create a reliable backup plan that keeps you connected when the power goes out.
Start by making a list of everything that needs to stay powered for your internet to work:
Check the power requirements for each piece of equipment. Most routers and ONTs have labels that show their power consumption in watts. Add up the total to figure out how much backup power capacity you'll need.
Based on your needs and budget, pick the backup power solution that makes the most sense:
Remember, the goal is to keep your ONT and router running. Everything else is a bonus.
Once you've chosen your backup power solution, set it up:
Testing is crucial. Don't wait until an actual power outage to find out your setup doesn't work. Make sure everything powers on correctly and that your internet connection stays active when running on battery power.
Also, check your UPS battery periodically. Most UPS units will alert you when the battery is getting old and needs replacement (typically every 3–5 years).
What if backup power isn't enough? Maybe the power outage lasts longer than your UPS can handle, or perhaps there's damage to the fiber network itself. In those cases, having a secondary internet connection can be a lifesaver.
Your smartphone can double as a backup internet connection using its mobile hotspot feature. Most modern phones let you share their cellular data connection with other devices via WiFi.
Mobile hotspots are great for:
Keep in mind that mobile hotspots use your phone's cellular data, which may be limited depending on your plan. Streaming video or downloading large files can quickly eat through your data allowance. Also, you'll need to keep your phone charged, so make sure you have a way to charge it during an extended outage (like a portable power bank or car charger).
Some households maintain a secondary internet connection specifically for backup purposes. 5G home internet is one option; it uses cellular networks instead of physical cables, so it's less likely to be affected by the same outages that impact fiber or cable internet.
The pros:
The cons:
For most people, fiber is a better primary connection than 5G, with the latter serving as a backup option if you really can't afford any downtime.
When it comes to staying online during power outages, having the right internet service makes all the difference.
Glo Fiber's network is built for reliability, with infrastructure that's resistant to weather damage and designed to keep working even when conditions get rough. Pair our fast, reliable internet with a simple UPS for your ONT and router, and you've got a setup that can weather almost any storm.
Plus, our Wall-to-Wall WiFi equipment is designed to work seamlessly with backup power solutions, making it easy to set up and maintain a backup internet connection for your home.
Ready to upgrade to internet that's built to last? Check if Glo Fiber is available in your area, explore our fiber home internet plans, and learn more about our WiFi equipment options.