Amazon Web Services Outage Hits Major Apps and Banks
A widespread outage affecting Amazon Web Services (AWS) has brought down several major apps and websites, including Snapchat, Roblox, Duolingo, and Zoom. Several UK banks, such as Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, have also reported issues due to the outage.
Affected Services
- Social Media and Gaming
- Snapchat: Users have reported issues with the app, with many unable to access their accounts or send snaps.
- Roblox: The popular gaming platform is currently down, with users unable to access games or their accounts.
- Banking Services
- Lloyds: Customers have reported issues with online banking and mobile banking services, with some unable to access their accounts or make transactions.
- Halifax: Similar issues have been reported by Halifax customers, with some unable to access online banking or mobile banking services.
- Bank of Scotland: The bank has confirmed that it is experiencing issues due to the AWS outage.
- Other Services
- HMRC: The UK tax authority has reported issues with its online services, advising customers to call back later if their issue is not urgent.
- Post Office: Amazon Click and Collect and Drop Off services are impacted across the branch network, and customers are unable to top up pre-payment cards for gas and electricity via Payzone devices.
- Fortnite: The popular gaming platform is currently down, with users unable to access games or their accounts.
- Perplexity, Coinbase, and Robinhood: These services have also been impacted by the outage ¹ ².
Cause and Impact
The outage is due to issues with AWS, which provides cloud computing services to millions of companies worldwide. AWS has confirmed that it is experiencing “increased error rates and latencies” for multiple services and is working to resolve the issue. According to AWS, there are now “significant signs of recovery,” and most requests should be succeeding.
Compensation and Support
Customers affected by the outage may be eligible for compensation, particularly if they have experienced financial losses due to the issues. Banks in the UK are not obligated to automatically pay compensation for short-term outages, but customers can contact their bank to request compensation if they have experienced financial losses.
What to Do
If you’re being impacted by the outage:
- Check the AWS status page for updates on the issue.
- Contact your bank or service provider for assistance.
- Consider delaying non-essential transactions until the issue is resolved.
- Keep records of any issues or losses incurred due to the outage.
The massive Amazon Web Services outage that occurred on October 20, 2025, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust cloud computing infrastructure. With numerous high-profile services affected, including Snapchat, Roblox, Duolingo, and Zoom, as well as banking services like Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, the impact was far-reaching.
Key Takeaways:
- Amazon Web Services Outage: A widespread outage affecting AWS, which provides cloud computing services to millions of companies worldwide.
- Affected Services: Snapchat, Roblox, Duolingo, Zoom, Lloyds, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, and more.
- Cause: The issue was attributed to a DNS problem, which Amazon’s engineers worked to resolve.
- Impact: The outage resulted in increased error rates and latencies, affecting various services and causing disruptions.
As we reflect on this significant event, it’s essential to consider the importance of cloud computing reliability and the need for businesses to develop effective disaster recovery strategies. With the increasing reliance on cloud services, ensuring the stability and security of these systems is crucial.
In conclusion, the Amazon Web Services outage highlights the importance of investing in cloud computing infrastructure and disaster recovery planning. By doing so, businesses can minimize the impact of such disruptions and ensure continuity. For those affected, it’s essential to stay informed and follow updates from AWS and affected services.
