How to Keep Your Internet On When the Power Goes Out
The lights go out and your house is silent. You lose more than just the lights at that moment. You can no longer connect to Wi-Fi, your TV stream stops, and you can no longer do any work. If the power goes out, most of us know that the internet will go down. It does not need to be that way. If you have the right plan, you can learn how to get internet access when the power goes out. This way, you can stay connected when you need it the most.
What to Do Immediately When a Power Outage Hits
The instant the power dies, your Wi-Fi dies with it. In this moment, your goal is to get a temporary connection up and running as quickly as possible.
Why the Internet Fails
Simply put, the hardware that connects your home to the internet needs power. The modem on your home network turns the information from your internet service provider into a form that your home network can understand. Then, your router uses that signal to set up the Wi-Fi network that your devices can join to. Both are wall-plugged, so when they shut off, your connection breaks.
Instant Hotspot
Your smartphone, which you already have in your pocket, is your best friend right now. Almost all smartphones can turn their cellular data into a personal Wi-Fi hotspot that lets you connect your laptop or computer right away. The setting for this can be found on your phone under "Network & Internet" or "Personal Hotspot." With USB tethering, you connect your phone directly to your computer with a wire for an even more stable connection. This also lets you charge your phone from your laptop's battery.
Data and Battery Life
This is the perfect quick fix, but keep its limitations in mind. A hotspot is a major drain on your phone's battery and your data plan. To conserve both, turn on your phone's low-power mode, lower the screen brightness, and on your connected device, pause cloud syncing and disable automatic background app refreshes. During a widespread outage, cell towers can also become congested, slowing everyone's connection to a crawl. It’s a great lifeline, but it’s a temporary one.
How to Automatically Survive Brief Power Interruptions
A hotspot is a great manual fix, but what if your internet never had to drop in the first place? For the most common power flickers and short-term outages, a dedicated piece of gear can make the interruption invisible.
The UPS Solution
An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is the answer. Think of it as a smart power strip with an internal battery. You plug your modem and router directly into the battery-backed outlets on the UPS. It’s a "set it and forget it" solution that works automatically when you need it.
Seamless Online Power
The moment your home’s power cuts, the UPS instantly switches to its battery. The transition is so fast (measured in milliseconds) that your modem and router never even flicker. This keeps your backup internet power on without you having to do a thing, allowing you to continue working or streaming without interruption.
Power Quality and Protection
Beyond backup power, a UPS also provides crucial surge protection, shielding your sensitive electronics from the damaging voltage spikes that can happen when the grid comes back online. Many models, known as "line-interactive" units, also offer power conditioning. This means they can smooth out minor voltage sags (brownouts) and swells without even switching to the battery, protecting your equipment from "dirty" power and extending its lifespan.
Solutions for Surviving a Long-Term Blackout
A UPS is perfect for short outages, but its battery will eventually run out. When you’re facing a blackout that could last for several hours or even days, you need a more robust power source. This is where you graduate to larger-capacity solutions.
Portable Power Stations
A portable power station is your next step up. These are essentially high-capacity, rechargeable battery packs with standard AC outlets and USB ports. They have far more juice than a UPS, capable of running your network gear for many hours or even a full day. Their real strength is versatility. You can power your internet, keep your laptops and phones charged, and even run a lamp or a small fan. High-capacity models like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 pack enough power to run not just your router, but even larger home appliances, making them a central part of any emergency preparedness plan. When choosing one, consider these factors:
Power Output: Look for a model with Pure Sine Wave output, which provides clean, stable power that’s safer for sensitive electronics like computers and networking gear.
Capacity Needs: Check the power draw (in watts) of your modem and router. If they total 20 watts, a 500Wh power station can run them for about 25 hours (500 / 20). It's always wise to get a slightly larger capacity than you think you'll need.
Ports and Features: A high-wattage USB-C PD (Power Delivery) port is excellent for charging modern laptops directly, freeing up an AC outlet.
Ultimate Generator Backup
When being offline is not an option or you need to power your entire home, a generator is the ultimate solution. A portable generator can run your essential devices, including your internet setup. For this purpose, look for an inverter generator, which runs much quieter, is more fuel-efficient, and produces cleaner power that’s safer for electronics. For those who need significant, long-term power without the noise and fumes of a gas engine, a high-end power station like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 can serve as a silent, indoor-safe alternative to a traditional generator. A permanently installed standby generator offers the most seamless experience, automatically turning on seconds after an outage to power your whole house.
Remember, safety is the absolute top priority. Portable gas generators produce deadly carbon monoxide and must never be run indoors, in a basement, or in a garage. Keep them at least 20 feet away from your home with the exhaust pointing away. Always have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home.
Create Your Personal Plan for Staying Connected
Having the right gear is only half the battle. A little preparation goes a long way.
Pre-Outage Checklist
- Keep Devices Charged: Make a habit of keeping your phone, laptop, and any power banks fully charged.
- Download Offline Content: Save important documents locally. Download a few movies, playlists, or audiobooks to keep you entertained without using cellular data.
- Test Your Backup Power: Every few months, plug your modem and router into your UPS or power station and unplug it from the wall to ensure it works as expected.
- Know Your Hotspot: Make sure you know how to turn on your phone’s hotspot feature so you’re not fumbling for it in the dark.
- Have a Communication Plan: Keep a written list of important phone numbers, as your digital contact list may be inaccessible if your phone dies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How Long Can a UPS Power a Modem and Router?
The runtime depends entirely on two factors: the UPS's battery capacity (often measured in VA or Watts) and the power draw of your specific network gear. A typical entry-level UPS might run a standard, low-power modem and router combo for 60 to 90 minutes. However, larger UPS models, or those intended for desktop computers, can easily provide power for several hours. If you have a high-performance gaming router or a multi-node mesh Wi-Fi system, your power draw will be higher, reducing the runtime. Always check the manufacturer's runtime chart on the UPS product page to get the best estimate for your specific setup's wattage.
Q2: If My Internet Provider Still Has Power, Will My Internet Work During an Outage?
Yes, in most cases, the internet signal will still reach your home. Internet Service Providers (ISPs), especially those using fiber optic or cable lines, typically have their own robust battery backups and generators supporting their main infrastructure and local network nodes. The failure point during a blackout is almost always your own equipment. Your modem and your Wi-Fi router both require power to receive the signal from your ISP and broadcast it as a Wi-Fi network throughout your home. If you use a UPS or portable power station to keep this equipment online, your internet service should continue to work seamlessly.
Q3: Can I Run My Router From My Car?
Yes, in a pinch. You can use a small device called a power inverter, which plugs into your car's 12V outlet (the "cigarette lighter") and provides a standard AC outlet. However, this requires running an extension cord from your car to your router and should only be used as a temporary solution. Do not run your car in an enclosed space like a garage.
Stay Connected No Matter What
You don't have to be cut off from the world when the power goes out. You can make the right plan if you know what you need, whether it's to get through a short flicker or a blackout that lasts for days. There is a way to stay online, whether you need a quick fix like a phone hotspot or a steady power source like a UPS or generator. With some planning, you can set up a reliable backup internet connection that will let you stay online when the power goes out.