On March 10, 2025, users of X (formerly known as Twitter) found themselves grappling with significant disruptions as the social media platform experienced multiple outages. Reports on Downdetector indicated more than 19,000 incidents of malfunction just before 6 AM ET. This decrease in user access would set the stage for continued turmoil throughout the day.
The first outage was reported around 5:57 AM ET, soon reaching 22,766 complaints as users scrambled to access the app. Just two hours later, another spike occurred at 10 AM ET, where reports soared to over 41,000 issues spanning both the app and the website functionalities. Despite intermittent reports of restoration, the stability remained fleeting, with nearly 29,500 complaints flooding the platform by 11:51 AM.
According to the Downdetector metrics, the app-related problems appeared to peak around various significant timestamps. For example, the second outage reached its highest record at 39,962 reports at 9:57 AM ET, only for the platform to falter again under the weight of user demand.
Throughout the morning hours, users expressed their concerns not only on X but also flocked to alternative realms such as Reddit and Threads. One user quipped, “If you’re wondering why X isn’t working, you’re not alone,” capturing the shared sentiment of frustration buzzing through social media platforms.
Elon Musk, who purchased Twitter for $44 billion back on October 26, 2022, following his initial deal announcement on April 14, 2022, had not made any statements addressing the outages as of noon on March 10. This lack of communication has only served to exacerbate user dissatisfaction, especially considering the history of outages since Musk’s acquisition.
Users have been speculating about whether server malfunctions could be to blame for this latest round of outages. Downdetector revealed specifics: 58% cited app issues, 31% reported website blackouts, and 11% indicated server connection failures. Reports of similar disruptions had previously illuminated user experiences during past outages, including one notable disruption where reports indicated as much as 66% of users experienced issues back in August 2024.
The parallels drawn between past and present outages reflect the overarching challenges faced by X under its new branding and ownership. Musk's leadership and the subsequent layoffs of around 80% of the platform's workforce have raised questions about how well the social media giant can sustain its operations amid increasing user demand.
Other notable disruptions around the tech industry occurred less than two months ago when Slack experienced severe outages, leading industry experts to question the reliability of major internet services. While X's technical problems may not carry the same weight as interruptions impacting sectors like healthcare and travel, the dissatisfaction extending from the user base highlights broader concerns tied to functionality under Musk's management.
From city centers like Los Angeles to Chicago, users across major metropolitan areas reported significant challenges connecting. The simultaneous outage of X alongside other platforms, including Microsoft Outlook—also experiencing issues around 7 AM ET—has caused some to speculate about potential underlying network errors or maintenance mishaps, though no official announcements have yet been made linking the two services.
Given the widespread nature of these outages, checking Downdetector proved invaluable for those seeking confirmation on their experiences. Users have been advised to revisit their settings, restart routers, or switch devices until official updates arrive from X and Microsoft.
Despite the frustrations over the lack of communication, users are attempting to navigate their way through the tech troubles by seeking refuge on platforms like Reddit and Instagram. With thousands jumping ship, content creation on alternative platforms has seen notable engagement, showcasing how catastrophic outages often spur users onto different social media landscapes.
Earlier today, one headline captured the sentiment succinctly: “X users report multiple outages, and Twitter refugees flood to other platforms.” Indeed, the migration of frustrated users to competitors highlights the delicate balance social media platforms must maintain to keep their audience engaged.
This morning’s outages have brought not just the social media giant's stability under scrutiny but have also raised questions about its future under Musk's leadership. The growing perception is clear: as social media landscapes evolve, so too must platforms adapt to the demands of their user base, lest they risk losing their users altogether.
For now, X engineers are working on resolving the issues as quickly as possible, though no firm commitment on timeline has been confirmed. Users are left to hope for stability before resorting to “refreshing” their feeds out of sheer habit, anxiously waiting for the platform to return to functioning capacity. Until the dust settles, many find themselves wondering – how many more outages can users endure on X before they make the permanent switch to platforms where their voices can be heard without disruption?