SOS: Verizon outage disrupts 911 calls in Charlotte, officials say. What to do
Verizon customers in Charlotte and nationwide don’t have service amid a widespread outage affecting voice and data services, multiple news outlets reported Wednesday.
The nation’s largest wireless carrier experienced a crippling outage that left thousands of customers without cell service or in “SOS” mode, signaling no connection, according to NBC News.
“We understand the impact this has on your day and remain committed to resolving this as quickly as possible,” Verizon said in an update posted to X.
Down Detector showed customer complaints were concentrated in the Chicago, Washington and New York City areas.
The nationwide disruption is being also being felt locally. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management alerted residents to an outage “affecting multiple carriers” and limiting calls to 911.
“If you need to call 911, please keep trying, use a landline, or ask a neighbor to call. You can also visit a fire station or police station for help,” officials said in a statement posted to X.
“Please do not call 911 to test your phone or report the outage.”
Verizon didn’t give a timeline for when service could be restored.
What’s ‘SOS’ mode on iPhone?
Affected Verizon customers reported seeing “SOS” alerts on their devices. So what does it mean?
According to Apple Support, an SOS or “SOS only” status means you’re not connected to a cellular network. However, you can still make emergency calls through other networks.
This feature is only available in the U.S., Canada and Australia, the tech company said.
In contrast, a “no service” or “searching” alert indicates your phone isn’t connected to a cellular network. To reconnect, experts suggest:
- Turn on airplane mode, wait 15 seconds, then turn it off again.
- Restart your iPhone or iPad
- Contact your wireless carrier
- Update your iPhone or iPad
Free Krispy Kreme donuts
Charlotte-based Krispy Kreme is giving away free doughnuts Wednesday in response to the Verizon outage.
From 5-7 p.m., customers can score a free original glazed doughnut at participating Krispy Kreme shops nationwide.
No purchase is required.
This story was originally published January 14, 2026 at 4:42 PM.