How to tell if Uber is down or if it's a problem with your account or phone
Uber outages happen, but most of the time when the app won't work, the problem is on your end — your internet connection, your phone's settings, or something specific to your account. Before you assume the whole service is down, run through a few quick checks. If those don't fix it, then you can look for signs of a real outage.
Start by closing the Uber app completely and reopening it. Force-close it on your phone (swipe it away on iPhone, or go to Settings > Apps > Uber > Force Stop on Android). Then open it again. If that doesn't work, restart your phone entirely. Most app problems clear up this way.
Next, check your internet. Open a web browser and try to load any website — Google, your email, anything. If that works, your internet is fine. If nothing loads, your phone has lost connection. Switch to WiFi if you were on data, or vice versa. Sometimes one connection works when the other doesn't.
Key Takeaways
- Most Uber app problems come from your phone or internet, not from Uber's servers — restart the app and your phone first.
- Check your internet by opening a web browser and loading any website; if the browser works, your connection is fine.
- Visit Downdetector.com or search "Uber down" on Twitter/X to see if other users are reporting outages right now.
- If Uber's servers are actually down, the app will show an error message or refuse to load the home screen at all.
- Contact Uber support through the app (Help > Contact Us) or through their website if you've ruled out your own connection and a widespread outage.
Check Downdetector and social media for reports of a real outage
If restarting didn't work, visit Downdetector.com and search for Uber. The site shows a live map of where people are reporting problems and a graph of how many reports came in over the last few hours. If the graph shows a spike in the last 30 minutes and reports are coming from your city or region, Uber likely has a real outage.
You can also search Twitter or X for "Uber down" or "Uber not working" and set the results to show only the last hour. If dozens of people in different cities are posting about the same problem at the same time, that's a sign of a widespread outage. If it's only a few posts spread over hours, it's probably individual account or connection issues.
Uber's official Twitter account (@Uber or @UberSupport, depending on your region) sometimes posts about known outages, though they don't always announce them immediately. Check their recent tweets if you're unsure.
What error messages mean
The app may show you a specific error instead of just refusing to work. "No internet connection" means your phone isn't connected to WiFi or data — fix your connection and try again. "Server error" or "Something went wrong" usually means Uber's servers are having trouble, but it can also mean your app is out of date. Go to your phone's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play) and check if an Uber update is waiting. Install it and try again.
"Account suspended" or "Your account has been deactivated" means something is wrong with your account specifically, not with Uber's service. This could be a payment method issue, a violation of Uber's terms, or a security flag. You'll need to contact Uber support to find out why.
If the app opens but the home screen won't load — you see a blank screen or a spinning wheel that never stops — that's often a sign of a server outage. Wait 15 to 30 minutes and try again. If it's still stuck after that, check Downdetector to see if the outage is ongoing.
What to do while you wait for Uber to come back
If Uber is genuinely down and you need a ride, open a different app. Lyft, Taxi apps, or local car services are your alternatives. Some cities also have municipal ride-sharing apps or traditional taxi dispatch numbers. Having a backup option saved in your phone is useful for situations like this.
If you had a ride scheduled when the outage happened, you won't be charged for a cancellation if Uber's system is down — the ride simply won't go through. Once the service is back up, you can request a new ride. If you were charged for a ride that never happened, contact Uber support with a screenshot of the charge and explain that the outage prevented the ride.
Contact Uber support if nothing else works
If your internet is working, other apps load fine, Downdetector shows no outage, and restarting hasn't helped, the problem is likely specific to your account or phone. Open the Uber app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down, and tap Help. Then tap Contact Us. Describe what's happening — the app won't load, you get a specific error, the home screen is blank — and include your phone type and what you've already tried.
Uber support usually responds within a few hours during business hours, though response times vary by region and how busy they are. You can also visit help.uber.com from a web browser on a different device and submit a report there. Include as much detail as you can: the exact error message, when it started, what you were trying to do, and what you've already done to fix it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Uber outages usually last?
Most outages last between 30 minutes and 2 hours. Uber has multiple data centers, so a complete shutdown affecting all users is rare. If Downdetector shows an active spike, check back in 30 minutes. If it's still spiking, the outage is ongoing.
Will I be charged if I can't request a ride because Uber is down?
No. If the app won't load or the service is unavailable, you can't complete a request, so nothing is charged. If you were charged for a ride that didn't happen, contact support with proof of the outage and they will refund it.
Does Uber have a status page where I can check if they're down?
Uber does not maintain a public status page like some other services do. Downdetector is the most reliable third-party source. You can also check Uber's Twitter account or search for recent reports on social media.
What if only certain features aren't working, like scheduling a ride in advance?
Partial outages happen — sometimes the app loads but certain features are slow or broken. This is still an outage, but it's affecting only part of Uber's system. Check Downdetector to see if others are reporting the same feature problem, then contact support if it persists.
Can I get a refund if an outage made me late to something important?
Uber's terms do not cover refunds for missed appointments or delays caused by outages. However, if you were charged for a ride that didn't complete because of an outage, you can request a refund for that specific charge through support.