Is Amazon Web Services (AWS) Down?

Running into issues with Amazon Web Services (AWS)? When so much of your online presence, websites, and apps use AWS, it can be a nightmare to run into technical issues.

So, is AWS truly experiencing an outage? Well, it depends. It is common for partial, regional disturbances to occur and interrupt service, but it is rare for a full global outage to occur. Surprisingly, a lot of times what is really a device or internet connection issue can be mistaken for AWS being down.

Regardless of what the problem is, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot your issue and get back online. Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to figure out what’s going on and how you can fix it. Let’s go!

How to troubleshoot AWS

Let’s get into the good stuff—troubleshooting your issues. Think of this like detective work. To find out what the real culprit of your connection issue is, follow the next steps. From there, we are able to pinpoint the problem and solve it.

Check for an Amazon Web Services outage

Checking for an Amazon Web Services outage is easy. Amazon provides live updates through its official status page. Here, you can see existing and recent issues, scheduled activity, and service history for a full picture view.

Once you hop on, you will want to:

• Check the official AWS Health Dashboard
• Look at “Service Health” for your specific region (ex: us-west-2)

You can also check other outage sites or social media to see if others are experiencing the same issue. If there is an outage in your area, unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do. You’ll have to sit tight until the disturbance is cleared up.

Figure out the scope of the AWS problem

If it isn’t a major outage, there are a few smaller-scale areas where your issue can lie.

Problem: One app/service

• Check your machine or network

Problem: All AWS services you use

• Check your AWS setup

Problem: Issues reported by other AWS users

• You may be experiencing a regional AWS issue. Sit tight while they resolve!

No outage? Try these steps next

If there isn’t a local, regional, or major outage that Amazon Web Services needs to handle, the issue can likely be solved with a bit of work. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot your connection issue.

1     Restart your app or server.

2    Use a different browser.

3    Use a different device.

4    Disable VPN’s or firewalls temporarily.

5    Verify your credentials or permissions (look for expired access keys).

6    Check your logs and make sure everything is in place.

7    Test your network for any misconfigurations.

If this still isn’t fixing your problem, it might be time to look at a guilty party that is more common than you might think—your internet connection.

Check your internet connection

At the end of the day, Amazon Web Services is probably working just fine. Your devices are likely full functioning, too. But your internet? That’s a different story. Running a website, business, app, or any other online platform takes a good amount of speed. You’ve likely outgrown your current internet plan, which means that it’s time for an upgrade.

Enter your zip code below for a fast and easy way to find a better internet provider near you.