Why Is My Viasat Internet Not Working? Viasat Outages, Connection Issues, and More


Kristin Cooke
Apr 17, 2023
Icon Time To Read4 min read

Troubleshoot your satellite internet problems with these tips.

When your Viasat internet is down—or slows to snail-like speeds—the right fix will depend on the cause of the issue. For instance, is your internet slowing because you went over your monthly data cap? Is there a local outage in your area? Has the cat knocked over the modem again?

If you’re not sure where to start with internet troubleshooting (and yeah—we’ve all been there), here’s what you can do to fix your internet yourself.

Power cycle your modem

Power cycling your modem is the simplest trick in the book, but it is highly effective and the first thing to try to fix internet issues. Power cycle your modem/router anytime your Viasat internet is slow or disconnects. It can also fix problems with your smart TV or gaming devices when you’re having trouble streaming or connecting online.

Power cycling your modem is easy.

  1. Unplug your Viasat modem/router.
  2. Wait a few minutes.
  3. Plug it back in.

Check your data usage

If you’re over your monthly data cap, that’s the reason you’re having internet problems. Viasat will slow down your connection if you exceed the amount of priority data. 

You can find out if data is the cause of your woes by signing into MyViasat.com and checking your data usage for the month (on your home screen). To resolve problems caused by data overage, you can upgrade to a plan with more data or wait for next month’s data to arrive.

Viasat plans with the most data
Internet plan
Data
Download speed
Regular price (after 3 mos.)
Get it
Viasat UnleashedUnlimitedUp to 150 Mbps$99.99/mo.
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Are there other internet plans available?

If you want to check out all Viasat plans, or see what other options you have at your home, type your zip code in below for a full lineup of all internet options in your area.

Check for local internet service

Test Wi-Fi on another device

If your smart TV or tablet can't connect to your home Wi-Fi network, check to see if you can connect on another device. If you can connect on a different device, then it isn't the Wi-Fi network, it's your device.

Check your satellite dish

Walk outside and look at your satellite dish. If it’s been knocked around by a storm, or looks obviously damaged, call Viasat and get a technician to repair it or reposition the dish. 

Signal interference can also be caused by snow, ice, tree branches, and other debris building up on your satellite dish. Clear debris if it’s on your dish but be careful not to knock the dish out of position.

Restart your device

If your computer, tablet, or gaming device isn’t picking up the Wi-Fi connection, restart it. Sometimes it just needs a quick reconnect. To make your restart even more effective, clear your cache before you restart your computer.

Double check your last payment

Did your last payment go through? If there’s been a payment issue, your service could have been disconnected or suspended.

Viasat deducts payments automatically, but if your card number or account number changed or was overdrawn, the payment might not have gone through and your service could be disconnected. If you think a payment issue is causing your internet problems, call Viasat customer service at (+1-866-945-3258) or grab your phone and access your Viasat account online.

Run a modem diagnostic test

Equipment failure is another cause of internet outages. You can easily find out if your Viasat modem/router is working by running a quick modem diagnostic test. 

Sign into MyViasat to find out more or download the Viasat app to run a diagnostics test from your phone. You can download the app for iOS phones or Android phones.

Check the weather

If there’s heavy cloud cover and rain or snow, your signal might be weak or spotty. The signal could also go down if there’s bad weather at the Viasat ground station nearest you. Expect it to get better once the weather clears. To learn more, check out our full guide on how weather affects internet service.

Test the power

Check your fuse box to see if one of the fuses has flipped into the off position. Next, check to see if your neighbors have power. This is often as simple as looking outside to see if a porch light is on or if there are lights in the window. If electricity goes out in your whole neighborhood, you won’t be able to get internet service because your Viasat modem/router requires power. 

If you want the internet to keep going during emergencies, you can get a portable power backup or a generator. 

Report an outage

Occasionally, internet service outages do occur and there’s nothing you can do on your side to fix it. Outages can occur from damage to a ground station or other unexpected event. Power outages can also cause the internet to go down, either on a house-by-house basis (because a modem can’t power up) or on a larger scale from lack of power at a ground station. 

You can find out if there’s been a Viasat internet outage in your area by calling Viasat customer support (+1-866-945-3258). If you have cellular service, you can also check a nationwide outage tracker like DownDetector to find out if outages have been reported in your area. 

Usually, service interruptions are short and are resolved quickly. Outages caused by major weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, or tropical storms may persist throughout the storm.

FAQ about Fixing Viasat Issues

How can I fix a Viasat pink light?

To fix a Viasat pink light/red light issue, you can first try restarting your modem (unplugging it and replugging it). A Viasat flashing red or pink light indicates that it’s offline and isn’t connected to the internet.

How can I upgrade my Viasat plan so I have more data?

To change your Viasat plan, call Viasat customer service (+1-866-945-3258) or you can change it by accessing your Viasat account online. Viasat satellite internet plans offer unlimited high-speed data.

Kristin Cooke
Written by
Kristin Cooke
After graduating with a degree in English from the University of Utah, Kristin learned to geek speak while working as a technical recruiter, interviewing software developers and tech companies. For over 20 years, she has created award-winning content for technology, health, and finance companies. Kristin is an advocate for affordable internet for all and writes about rural internet solutions, satellite internet news, and tech products at SatelliteInternet.com. Her work has been featured in New York Post, PCMag, Forbes, Business Insider, Telecompetitor, Space.com, and The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society.