Elon Musk’s Starlink apologizes after leaving thousands without internet connection for hours
Musk reposted the message, having previously apologized for the outage personally and reassuring users that it would only be temporary
Elon Musk’s Starlink network has apologized after experiencing an outage that left thousands without internet connection for several hours.
“The network issue has been resolved, and Starlink service has been restored,” the company’s official X account wrote around 8.15 p.m. ET Thursday. “We understand how important connectivity is and apologize for the disruption.”
Musk reposted the message, having previously apologized for the outage personally and reassuring users that it would only be temporary. “SpaceX will remedy root cause to ensure it doesn’t happen again,” the tech billionaire wrote.
Thousands of reports flooded the Down Detector website on Thursday before 4 p.m., with 65 per cent citing a “total blackout”.
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation that works as an international telecommunication provider, part of the American aerospace company SpaceX, founded by controversial billionaire Musk. The network provides coverage to around 130 countries and territories, aiming to provide global mobile broadband.
Netizens across the world, from Colorado to Germany to Zimbabwe reported access issues.
A customer on X said that they were lucky to have 5G on their phone, observing: “the only downfall to Starlink is when it goes down, your only alternative is your phone network”.
Our coverage is now finished
Thanks for following along with The Independent’s coverage of today’s Starlink outage.
Our coverage has now ended.
Starlink is down
Elon Musk’s Starlink network is experiencing an outage, the company run by SpaceX has confirmed.
We’ll be bringing you the latest as it unfolds.
Starlink confirms outage on X
Starlink has released a statement confirming a network outage.
The statement reads: “Starlink is currently in a network outage and we are actively implementing a solution.
“We appreciate your patience, we'll share an update once this issue is resolved.”
Thousands report 'total blackout' on Down Detector
Thousands have taken to Down Detector to report the Starlink outage, with reports streaming in from just before 9pm.
Around 65 per cent of reports cite a “total blackout” while others just state there are problems accessing the internet.
People on social media complain about the outage
As Starlink’s network experiences an outage, netizens have taken to social media to complain.
One person commented on Reddit: “Did Elon forget to pay his electric bill?
Another said: “Looks like Elon’s got an issue on his hands…We’ve had it for 9 months and never a single hiccup until now…”
A customer on X said that they were lucky to have 5G on their phone, observing: “the only downfall to Starlink is when it goes down, your only alternative is your phone network, might be something @elonmusk needs to look fixing into the future?”
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation that works as an international telecommunication provider, part of the American aerospace company SpaceX, founded by controversial billionaire Elon Musk.
The network provides coverage to around 130 countries and territories, aiming to provide global mobile broadband.
As of May 2025, the constellation consists of over 7,600 mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit.
Nearly 12,000 satellites are planned, with a possible later extension to 34,400.
Elon Musk shares progress of Starlink's growing Direct to Cell service
Elon Musk, who has yet to comment on the Starlink outage, posted on X around 6pm local time that Starlink’s Direct to Cell service was “growing fast” as he shared a graph that tracked growing data usage from May to July this year.
The service is supposed to enable certain phones to connect via satellite for text, voice and data in areas without terrestrial coverage.
Musk: 'Service will be restored shortly'
Elon Musk has apologised for the Starlink network outage that has left thousands without internet connection around the world.
“Service will be restored shortly. Sorry for the outage.
“SpaceX will remedy root cause to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
Concerns rise over how Ukraine's military might be affected by Starlink outage
People online have shared their concerns for Ukraine’s armed forces amid Starlink’s outage.
Starlink has become vital to Ukrainian forces fighting Russia in order to replace internet and communication services impacted by the war.
European officials expressed concern in March this year that Starlink might cut off services in Ukraine.
Reuters reported in February that the US had threatened to cut off Ukraine's access to Starlink satellite internet terminals if Kyiv does not reach a deal with the U.S. regarding critical mineral resources,
Musk clarified on X: "To be extremely clear, no matter how much I disagree with the Ukraine policy, Starlink will never turn off its terminals.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments