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21 June 2023

Protect your devices from lightning damage during a thunderstorm

Thunderstorms can cause damage to buildings and nature, as well as damage electronic devices. Lightning strikes can cause voltage peaks of up to 100,000 volts. These can destroy sensitive components. We've put together some tips and tricks for you on how to protect your FRITZ!Box and other devices.

Three ways to protect your devices against lightning

All FRITZ!Boxes are protected, as each model has built-in surge protection. However, this does not provide 100 percent security against lightning damage. Here are some tips to help prevent damage during a thunderstorm:

  1. Unplug your FRITZ!Box from both the power supply and the cable or DSL connection.
  2. You should also unplug FRITZ!Repeater, FRITZ!DECT and FRITZ!Powerline devices connected to the mains, as well as any FRITZ!Fon power supply units.
  3. In addition, you should disconnect electrical devices and power strips from the power supply as a precaution: Just flipping the switch to off doesn't automatically safeguard you or your equipment during a thunderstorm.

Divert calls to your smartphone

Once your FRITZ!Box is disconnected, you won't be able to access the internet or make telephone calls. To make sure your friends and family can still reach you via your landline number, you can set up call diversion in advance, in your FRITZ!Box. Your provider will then automatically forward all calls, for example to your smartphone (additional costs may apply depending on your tariff).

When the storm has passed (and you can come out from under the bed!), reconnect your FRITZ!Box and other devices to the internet and to the power supply. Your settings will be the same as before. Deactivate the call diversion if needed, and you can go back to browsing the web or checking your emails.

Lightning and your FRITZ!Box – what to do?

Since power surges destroy a FRITZ!Box's microelectronic components, they cannot unfortunately be repaired. However, many homeowners insurance policies cover damage caused by fierce thunderstorms and lightning. We recommend checking whether or not your insurance also covers overvoltage damage; which would then also apply to your FRITZ!Box.