On Monday, a significant disruption at Amazon Web Services (AWS) caused widespread interruptions across the internet, impacting numerous applications, websites, and digital tools relied upon by millions globally before normal service was eventually reinstated.
This extensive outage affected a broad spectrum of sectors-from financial applications and airlines to smart home gadgets and online gaming-highlighting the deep integration of cloud infrastructure in everyday digital experiences.
Overview of the AWS Disruption and Its Cause
At approximately 07:11 GMT, AWS encountered a critical failure that led to the malfunction of several of its systems, resulting in outages for many widely used platforms, including banking services, entertainment providers, and gaming networks.
The incident originated in AWS’s primary data center located in Virginia, its oldest and largest facility. The disruption followed a technical update to the API of DynamoDB, a vital cloud database service responsible for storing user data and other essential information for numerous online services.
The root issue stemmed from a flawed update that interfered with the Domain Name System (DNS), which functions like the internet’s directory by translating website names into IP addresses that computers use to locate servers.
Due to this DNS malfunction, applications were unable to resolve the IP addresses for DynamoDB’s API, causing widespread connectivity failures. As DynamoDB became inaccessible, a cascade effect led to the failure of 113 AWS services in total.
By 10:11 GMT, AWS announced the restoration of all services, though a backlog of queued messages remained to be processed over the following hours. At the time of reporting, outage monitoring site Downdetector still indicated ongoing issues with platforms such as OpenAI, ESPN, and Apple Music.
Understanding Cloud Computing and AWS
Cloud computing refers to the practice of storing and accessing data and software over the internet rather than on local devices like personal computers or external drives.
When data or applications are described as being “in the cloud,” it means they operate on powerful servers housed in data centers managed by companies such as Amazon (AWS), Google, or Microsoft, rather than on individual user devices.
AWS provides businesses with the ability to lease computing resources and storage, powering the backend of countless websites, applications, and online services.
One of AWS’s fundamental offerings is DynamoDB, a database service that holds critical company data, including customer information. During Monday’s outage, many customers found themselves unable to access their DynamoDB-stored data.
As the world’s largest cloud service provider, AWS plays a pivotal role in the digital ecosystem. While cloud outages are not uncommon, their impact has grown more pronounced as dependency on these services intensifies.
Joshua Mahony, chief market analyst at Scope Markets, commented on the incident, noting, “Such disruptions affect a wide range of sectors. However, this is part and parcel of technology operations; the crucial factor is swift resolution and minimal financial impact.”
He added that Amazon’s dominant market position-holding roughly 30% of the cloud market-means that clients are unlikely to abandon the platform due to a single outage, given how deeply integrated AWS is within their operations.
Services and Applications Impacted
The outage disrupted numerous popular websites and apps, including Snapchat, Pinterest, and Apple TV, as reported by Downdetector.
Communication platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, Zoom, and Slack also experienced interruptions, alongside gaming services like Roblox, Fortnite, and Xbox. Retail locations including Starbucks and online marketplaces like Etsy faced issues as well.
In the U.S., financial applications such as Venmo were affected, while smart home devices like Ring doorbells and Alexa speakers stopped functioning for some users. Additionally, Amazon’s own website and Kindle book downloads were temporarily inaccessible.
Educational and creative platforms, including Duolingo and Canva, reported errors, and several major media outlets-such as the Associated Press, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal-were also impacted.
Other affected entities included banks, the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, AI company Perplexity, and U.S. airlines Delta and United.
Why Did Numerous Major Apps Fail Simultaneously?
The AWS outage didn’t just affect Amazon’s own services; it also disrupted thousands of other companies that depend on AWS for critical infrastructure such as storage, databases, and web hosting. Many leading applications rely heavily on AWS to operate essential components of their systems.
Bryson Bort, CEO of cybersecurity firm Scythe, explained, “When these incidents occur, the immediate concern is often whether it’s a cyberattack or a state-sponsored disruption. In this case, it was not. Most outages like this are caused by human error.”
Amazon’s Response to the Outage
AWS promptly acknowledged the incident and confirmed that their engineering teams were actively working to resolve the issue.
The company reported pursuing “multiple parallel efforts to expedite recovery” and stated that the primary problem had been fully addressed, although some users continued to experience minor delays as systems stabilized.
AWS also committed to releasing a comprehensive post-incident report detailing the cause and resolution of the outage.
