Elon Musk apologizes as Starlink internet outage affects thousands
- A major outage hit Starlink on July 24, 2025, affecting more than 60,000 users globally.
- The issue stemmed from an internal software problem and resulted in reports of total blackouts across several countries.
- Elon Musk apologized for the outage, affirming that service would be restored and improvements would be made to prevent future occurrences.
On July 24, 2025, a significant outage affected Starlink users worldwide, with a reported 60,000 people experiencing a loss in internet connectivity. The outage began around 7 PM UK time and was attributed to an internal software issue, as confirmed by Down Detector. Users reported issues spanning various regions, including Colorado, Germany, and Zimbabwe, with approximately 65 percent citing a 'total blackout'. Shortly after the incident, Elon Musk took to social media to apologize for the disruption, assuring users that service would be restored soon. About six hours later, the Starlink team announced that the network issue had been resolved, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining connectivity and addressing the root cause of the problem. Starlink, a satellite internet service developed by Musk's company SpaceX, operates over six million users across approximately 140 countries. The service relies on a large constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit, which facilitates global internet service. The outage not only disrupted day-to-day activities for users but also highlighted the challenges associated with relying on satellite internet technology. Following the restoration of service, Starlink's communications reiterated the importance of connectivity to their users and pledged to implement measures to prevent similar issues in the future. The ongoing development of Starlink includes plans for an extensive fleet of satellites, with regulatory approval for potential expansions up to 34,400 satellites. This ambitious project aims to enhance coverage and service quality worldwide, addressing the increasing demand for reliable internet access in underserved regions. Amid this outage, experts and users alike are reminded of the critical nature of internet connectivity in today’s digital landscape. It raises questions about the reliability and sustainability of technology solutions that aim to connect people globally while managing operational challenges effectively. In the aftermath of this outage, discussions within the tech community have centered around the implications for consumers and the responsibilities of service providers in maintaining service continuity. Various stakeholders are now keenly observing how Starlink will implement measures to restore trust among its user base and improve the resilience of its network infrastructure to avoid future pitfalls. Overall, this incident serves as a critical case study in the growing intersection of technology reliability, corporate accountability, and user trust in satellite-based internet solutions.