Expecting a package? Your wait may have just gotten longer Friday

(NEXSTAR) – A faulty software update caused technological havoc worldwide on Friday, and unfortunately for Prime Day shoppers and others expecting a package, shipping times may also be affected.

FedEx confirmed that its network is operating worldwide on Friday, but warned that “potential delays are possible for package deliveries with a commitment of July 19, 2024” after the massive IT outage. Anyone expecting a delivery is advised to check the Service Alerts page for updates or use the tracking tool for specific shipments.

Any delays caused by the outage are not eligible for refund or credit, FedEx added.

UPS posted the following message:

A third-party software outage is impacting some UPS computer systems. While the UPS network is operating and delivering in all areas, there is a potential for delivery delays. Contingency plans are in place to help ensure that shipments arrive at their final destinations as quickly as possible.

Note that the UPS Service Guarantee does not apply to shipments affected by this event.

What caused the outage?

The trouble was sparked by an update issued by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike and only affected its customers running Microsoft Windows, the world’s most popular operating system for personal computers. It was not the result of hacking or a cyberattack, according to CrowdStrike, which apologized and said a fix was on the way.

Businesses and governments worldwide experienced hours-long disruptions — their computer monitors glowing blue with error messages — and scrambled to deal with the fallout. CrowdStrike’s CEO said some of their systems will require manual fixes.

Thousands of flights were canceled and tens of thousands were delayed, leading to long lines at airports in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Airlines lost access to check-in and booking services in the heart of the summer travel season.

Several local TV stations in the U.S. were prevented from airing the news early Friday, and some state and local governments reported problems at courts, motor vehicles departments, unemployment agencies, emergency call centers and other offices.

Affected hospitals had problems with appointment systems, forcing them to suspend patient visits and cancel some surgeries.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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