Thousands of Sky TV customers across the UK have been hit by a widespread technical outage, leaving them unable to watch television or access Sky Q services since around 10pm this evening.
According to data from DownDetector, more than 30,000 users have reported issues within the past hour, with major hotspots including London, Manchester, Cardiff, and Glasgow.
Users Report Widespread Issues
Many users took to X (formerly Twitter) to express frustration over the outage, reporting black screens, looping messages, and Sky Q boxes shutting down unexpectedly. One customer posted:
“My box says ‘you can’t watch TV at the moment due to a connectivity problem’. Internet is fine. It must be Sky’s end.”
Others echoed the same problem, with some describing it as a “total blackout.”
Another wrote:
“What’s going on with #SkyTV? Crashed twice. Can’t access anything.”
Some users noted the issue “always happens on a Thursday when darts is on,” sparking humorous but frustrated reactions.
Breakdown of Reported Problems
As of 11:00pm:
- 87% of complaints were related to TV service
- 8% reported a total blackout
- 5% cited internet disruptions
Despite the large volume of reports, Sky’s service status page continued to state that there were “no known issues” with the television service.
Sky Response
Sky has yet to release an official statement on the outage, leaving customers in the dark as to the cause or estimated resolution time. The company’s social media accounts have remained silent since the reports began flooding in.
In previous outages of this scale, Sky has cited server issues or backend disruptions.
What to Do if Affected
If you’re experiencing issues with your Sky Q or Sky+ box, try the following:
- Power cycle the box (unplug and plug it back in after 30 seconds)
- Check internet connections if using Sky Q’s online features
- Visit DownDetector for live updates
- Monitor Sky’s Help Twitter account for service notices
More to Come
This is a developing story. More details will be shared as Sky issues an update. Customers can stay informed by enabling push alerts or following trusted outlets on social media.
