16 Things That Broke When the Internet Went Down
Here's a list of real-world events where internet outages caused massive disruptions in communication, entertainment, business, and daily life.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
The internet has become the backbone of modern society, and when it goes down, everything from social media to banking and gaming is affected. This list explores sixteen memorable outages that disrupted global routines, entertainment, and essential services. Each example demonstrates how digital dependence creates both convenience and vulnerability in the connected world.
1. Facebook Outage (2021)
Image from Wikipedia
In October 2021, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp all went offline for nearly six hours. The outage left billions of users unable to connect, businesses unable to sell, and employees locked out of their internal systems. It showed how deeply integrated Meta’s platforms had become in both social and economic life.
2. Twitter Blackout (2020)
Image from Wikipedia
In July 2020, Twitter suffered a major outage caused by a massive security breach. Users couldn’t post tweets, refresh feeds, or even follow accounts for several hours. The blackout disrupted global conversations and highlighted how much the platform drives real-time news and communication.
3. Google Cloud Crash (2019)
Image from Wikipedia
A major Google Cloud service failure in June 2019 knocked out YouTube, Gmail, and Snapchat for several hours. People were unable to watch videos, send emails, or even use smart home devices connected to Google. The incident exposed how much everyday life relies on cloud infrastructure.
4. YouTube Shutdown (2018)
Image from Wikipedia
In October 2018, YouTube went down worldwide for more than an hour. Creators, advertisers, and everyday viewers couldn’t access the site or stream videos. The crash disrupted entertainment, education, and even businesses that depended on video marketing.
5. Zoom Outage (2020)
Image from Wikipedia
At the height of the pandemic in August 2020, Zoom went offline during peak school and work hours. Classes were canceled, business meetings stalled, and frustrated students flooded social media. It revealed how fragile remote work and learning could be when one tool failed.
6. Slack Collapse (2021)
Image from Wikipedia
On the first workday of January 2021, Slack suffered a global outage. Teams lost access to their communication hub, leaving workplaces scrambling for alternatives. The incident proved how essential workplace chat apps had become in daily operations.
7. Amazon Web Services Failure (2021)
Image from Wikipedia
In December 2021, Amazon Web Services (AWS) suffered a widespread outage affecting Netflix, Disney+, Ring, and many online shops. Even delivery services were disrupted because internal systems relied on AWS. It showed how a single provider’s breakdown could ripple across industries.
8. PlayStation Network Outage (2011)
Image from Wikipedia
In April 2011, hackers forced Sony to shut down PlayStation Network for 23 days. Gamers lost access to online play, digital downloads, and their accounts. The event shook trust in online gaming security and highlighted vulnerabilities in digital ecosystems.
9. Xbox Live Crash (2007)
Image from Wikipedia
During the 2007 holiday season, Xbox Live went offline for nearly two weeks due to overwhelming demand. Gamers who had just received new consoles and games couldn’t play online. The failure frustrated millions and reminded companies of the importance of server capacity.
10. Pokémon Go Server Overload (2016)
Image from Wikipedia
When Pokémon Go launched in July 2016, the servers crashed under unexpected demand. Players worldwide were left staring at frozen screens instead of catching Pokémon. The hiccup showed how viral success can overwhelm even the best-planned rollouts.
11. Steam Outage on Black Friday (2015)
Image from Wikipedia
On Black Friday 2015, Steam experienced a severe crash that exposed some users’ private account details. Gamers couldn’t shop during the biggest sales event of the year. The outage hurt sales and damaged trust among customers.
12. Netflix Buffering Crisis (2012)
Image from Wikipedia
In December 2012, Netflix suffered a massive outage on Christmas Eve due to an Amazon Web Services failure. Families hoping to stream holiday movies found themselves staring at error messages instead. The incident underscored how streaming services depend on stable hosting partners.
13. Spotify Down (2019)
Image from Wikipedia
In August 2019, Spotify went down worldwide, leaving users unable to stream their playlists. For music lovers, the silence was frustrating, especially for those who used Spotify during workouts or commutes. It highlighted how streaming has replaced personal music libraries for many.
14. Google Drive Shutdown (2017)
Image from Wikipedia
In September 2017, Google Drive experienced a service disruption that left students and professionals unable to access files. Projects, presentations, and assignments were all locked behind error messages. It showed how cloud-based productivity tools can become single points of failure.
15. Bank App Failures (2018)
Image from Wikipedia
In September 2018, TSB Bank in the UK experienced an online banking failure that left millions unable to access accounts. People couldn’t transfer money, pay bills, or even log in. The failure sparked outrage and raised questions about digital banking reliability.
16. Smart Home Devices Malfunction (2019)
Image from Wikipedia
When Google Cloud went down in 2019, smart home devices like Nest thermostats and security cameras stopped working. Owners couldn’t control heating, cooling, or even monitor their homes. The glitch revealed the risks of tying physical spaces to digital systems.