Frequently Asked Questions

UK Power Cut is an independent, community-driven power cut tracker for the whole of the UK. People report power cuts and restorations for their postcode, and everyone can see live status, recent reports and power cut history, plus their network operator's number and local emergency numbers.

105 is the free, 24/7 number to report or get information about a power cut in England, Scotland and Wales. It works from any landline or mobile and connects you to the network operator for the area you are calling from. It does not work in Northern Ireland, where you call NIE Networks on 03457 643 643, or in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, which have their own providers.

Your supplier (British Gas, Octopus, EDF and so on) sells you electricity and sends the bill. The network operator, also called the distribution network operator or DNO, owns the cables and substations and is the company that fixes a power cut. You cannot choose your network operator – it depends on where you live – so always report a power cut to the operator, not your supplier.

Type your postcode in the search box, or tap the location button. The page for your postcode district shows the current status, a confidence score, every report from the last 24 hours and your network operator's number and live map. Full postcodes such as SW1A 1AA work too – the page covers the whole district.

First check whether your neighbours are affected and whether your fuse box (consumer unit) has tripped. Then call 105 – network operators restore power based on customer reports. Also tap “Power is out” on your postcode page so neighbours know, and “Power is back” when it returns.

The status reflects what people have reported recently. Reports from more people on different networks, and more recent reports, give a higher confidence score. Reports can be incomplete or wrong, so treat them as signals, not official network operator data.

If nobody reports “Power is back” and there are no new power cut reports for 24 hours, the power cut is closed automatically. A new report reopens it straight away.

No. It only means no one has reported recently. Coverage depends on people in your area using the service.

Community reports appear within seconds. Weather and Met Office warnings are refreshed every few minutes, and planned power cut information is taken from network operators and updated regularly. Always check your operator's own map or 105 for official restoration times.

No. UK Power Cut is not affiliated with any network operator, energy supplier, Ofgem or the government. For power cut reports, restoration times and safety issues, contact your network operator on 105.

Open your postcode page: it lists the network operators that serve that area, with their numbers. Operators are matched at postcode-area level, so in border areas more than one may be shown – 105 will route you to the right one. Your electricity meter's MPAN (the supply number on your bill) also identifies your area.

Keep well back (at least 10 metres is a common guide), assume every fallen line is live and never touch it or anything it is touching, including water or a vehicle. Call 105 to report it, or 999 if there is danger to life or a fire.

Possibly. In Great Britain network operators must pay £100 if your power is off for 12 hours in normal weather (24 hours if 5,000 or more homes are affected), plus £45 for each further 12 hours, up to £400. In severe weather payments start after 24 or 48 hours. Contact your network operator to claim. See our power cut compensation page for details.

The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free scheme where your network operator and supplier give extra support in a power cut to people who are older, disabled, chronically ill, have young children or rely on medical equipment. You must register – ask your operator or supplier, or use our Priority Services Register page.

Only outdoors, well away from doors, windows and vents, and never in a garage or shed attached to your home, even with the door open. Fit a battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm. Never plug a generator into a socket (backfeeding) – it can kill network engineers. Call 999 if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.

Northern Ireland is served by NIE Networks (03457 643 643), not 105, and compensation rules are set by the Utility Regulator rather than Ofgem. Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man each have their own electricity provider and fault number, and Ofgem's compensation rules do not apply.

The Food Standards Agency advises that an unopened fridge keeps food cold for about 4 hours, a full freezer for about 48 hours and a half-full freezer for about 24 hours. Keep doors shut and keep the fridge below 8 °C. Throw away chilled food that has been above 8 °C for more than 4 hours.

Network operators are not usually liable for spoiled food or damage unless they were negligent, but you can claim a standard payment if the cut lasts long enough. You may be able to claim on home contents insurance (check food spoilage cover) – ask your network operator and insurer.

No. Reporting is anonymous. We do not ask for your name, phone number or address. See the Privacy Policy for details.

They give estimates based on the Ofgem price cap average rates. Your actual bill depends on your tariff, standing charge and region.

To keep the data clean, each device can report the same postcode district once every few minutes.

999 for danger to life, fires, fallen lines and carbon monoxide; 105 to report a power cut; 111 for NHS non-emergency advice; 101 for police non-emergencies; 0800 111 999 for a gas emergency; Floodline 0345 988 1188; Samaritans 116 123; Citizens Advice consumer helpline 0808 223 1133. See the Emergency numbers page for your region.

Use the contact form (link in the footer) for questions, bug reports, corrections to a phone number, or partnership enquiries.