Outage FAQs

Momentary power outages are short periods of time where the power goes out completely. These are often caused by temporary electric faults occurring on the electric circuit. Occasional occurrences of this type are a part of normal system operation and are evidence the system corrects itself in order to avoid longer outages. These temporary faults may be caused by lightning strikes, a tree branch hitting a wire then dropping to the ground, a car colliding with a pole, a broken guy wire causing wires to touch each other, a wet day that might cause a damaged insulator to flash or a small animal shorting out a wire.

If the blinking continues or becomes excessive, please call us at 800-477-5050, so we can investigate.

The easiest way to report an outage is to use our online Report your Outage tool.

You can also call us at 800-477-5050 to report your power outage. When you call you can choose to use our automated system or speak to a Customer Service Representative.
 
Please be prepared to provide the specific address or location of the outage so our repair crew can get there as quickly as possible.

If you see a downed wire, please call 9-1-1 and then call us at 800-477-5050. Stay safe: never approach a downed wire.

Our crews work around the clock to restore your electricity as quickly as possible. 
 
Check your status online for current information about your outage, along with your estimated restoration time. Use our interactive Outage Map to see the extent of outages statewide, along with updates about restoration in your area.

You can also call us at 800-477-5050 and use our automated system or speak to a Customer Service Representative (CSR). Note that CSRs have the same information about outages that we offer online.
 
Please note: All restoration times are only estimates and represent the best information we have at that time.

The quickest way to begin the restoration process is online. You can also call 800-477-5050. After reporting, you can use your mobile device or Internet-connected laptop to check your reported power status. 

If your power is incorrectly being reported as being on, please report the outage so we can prioritize its restoration.

You can use any device with an Internet connection to get the most up-to-the-minute estimated restoration time from the Outage Center. Note that, for your security, you may need to log in to your account to see outage updates.

You can also sign up to receive outage update messages via email, text or phone call. Manage your alerts online.
 
You can also call us at 800-477-5050 and use our automated system or speak to a Customer Service Representative (CSR). Note that CSRs have the same information about outages that we offer online.

During and after a storm, our crews work swiftly to protect the public and restore service to our customers. Our top priority is public safety. However, Consumers Energy doesn’t stop there. We make it our mission to support local communities and Michigan students, contribute to beneficial environmental initiatives and work with Community Action Agencies to administer aid to those in need.

Learn more about how we prioritize outage restoration, or some of Consumers Energy’s other priorities.

Our crews work 24/7 to safely restore your electric service as quickly as possible. Because each outage is different, the causes may be difficult to identify and restore, which means restoration information may not always be immediately available.
 
You can check your outage status online, but you may also want to sign up for alerts so we can notify you of changes in your outage status or estimated time of restoration.

Because no two outages are ever the same, we troubleshoot every situation with crew members on site to assess the issue. We take into account changing weather conditions, risks to safety and environmental issues.

Only then do we estimate the time until your power is restored. Our crews then work around the clock to restore service safely and as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience as we work to restore your service. 

Learn more about how we prioritize restoring power.

First, stay away from the line and the tree. If you see sparks from a tree touching a power line, go to a safe location and call us at 800-477-5050. We will investigate and resolve the problem as soon as possible.

Most importantly, stay far away from a damaged power line. If you see a downed or sagging power line, call us at 800-477-5050 right away. 
 
Even if the sagging or broken wire on the ground isn't sparking, it can still be "live" with a deadly amount of electricity. Keep people and pets at least 25 feet away. Be careful not to come in contact with anything the wire is touching – especially standing water or metal objects like fences. Even tree limbs can conduct a dangerous amount of voltage.
 
If a wire is crossing a road or driveway, avoid the area and keep others away. Do not attempt to move the wire.

If you are having problems with your electric service, please notify us so we can investigate and resolve the problem as soon as possible. 

The quickest and easiest way to report an outage is online. You may also call us at 800-477-5050 to report your problem.

Severe weather is only one of the causes of power outages. In any weather, a tree can fall over and contact power lines, utility poles can be struck by vehicles, small animals can enter substations and climb on electrical equipment and electrical equipment can fail unexpectedly.  Occasionally, planned power outages are necessary to perform maintenance on the electric system to improve service for our customers.

Several things could be happening:
 * There may be trouble only on your section of the power line.
 * Your neighbors may be on a different supply line.
 * The outage may be isolated to one fuse or transformer.
 * The problem may be on the service line to your home.
 * Your neighbors may even have a backup generator that turned on when the power went out. 
If all your neighbors have power and you still don't, check your breaker box for a tripped circuit or blown fuse. If you are without power and have not already done so, please Report your Outage. 

Restoring power to every customer is important to us, but some facilities, like hospitals, have a higher priority.  Learn more about how we prioritize restoration. Also, our crews may have passed your house to complete work that needs to be done at a nearby location before service can be restored to you and your neighbors.

The information you provide is used to create an outage incident in our outage management system.  The new outage incident is analyzed with other reported outages to determine the location and extent of the outage.  This information is then used to prioritize the outage and is provided to field crews to direct them where the outage problem exists.
Learn more about the process.

To protect the food in your refrigerator and freezer when your power is out, limit the number of times you open and close the doors.  If the doors remain closed, refrigerated food can remain safely cold for a few hours, and frozen food can remain safe for one to two days. Learn more and read helpful safety tips.

Prepare well ahead of time, so you can safely weather any storm. We provide a number of safety tips to help you prepare for before, during and after a storm.

Your losses may be covered by your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. Check with your insurance company for more information.

To log in, you must first create an online account. If you have created a profile, and are having problems logging in, first make sure you are entering the correct User ID and Password. You may obtain your User ID and reset your Password by clicking on the “Forgot User ID" or "Forgot Password” links.

Still having problems? Call us at 800-477-5050. 

If you meet any of the following criteria, you may qualify for an electric outage credit:

• Service interrupted for more than five days (120 hours) during catastrophic conditions (10 percent or more of Consumers Energy customers affected).
• Service interrupted for more than 16 hours during normal conditions.
• Service interrupted more than seven times in a 12-month period.

To request an outage credit application, please complete the Electric Outage Credit form online or call 800-477-5050.

To report a streetlight that is out of service or malfunctioning, please complete our Report a Streetlight Problem form.  
 
Please Note:  Not all streetlights are maintained by Consumers Energy. Our crews will make any needed repairs to the lights we do maintain.

After an outage has been reported, the Consumers Energy outage management system undergoes a multitiered process to ensure power is restored safely and quickly.
-First, crew members are dispatched to assess damage and prevent further problems.
-Line crews repair the electrical equipment damaged during the storm and forestry crews may also be involved to remove trees and branches that have damaged electrical equipment.
-The damaged areas are then prioritized and field crews are assigned to the specific areas to restore power.
-Depending on the extent of damage, crews from other areas of the state or from outside the state may be brought in to assist with the restoration of service.

We are responsible for repairs to the meter itself, and the service drop, which is what we call the line from the utility pole to your home. You are responsible for the other equipment at the meter location, including the service entrance cable. Click here to download a pdf that shows what parts of your electrical system we are responsible to repair, and what you need to repair. Contact a licensed electrician to complete any repairs to the equipment you are responsible for.

As a Consumers Energy customer, you’re only charged for the electricity your home actually uses. During a power outage, no electricity is ever used. This may result in a slightly lower bill than usual.