When validators go offline on a proof-of-stake network, they can miss duties such as helping confirm blocks. The result may include missed rewards, penalties, or slower network activity. The exact effect depends on the blockchain’s rules and how many validators remain active. A validator is a network participant that performs tasks defined by a proof-of-stake protocol, such as proposing or attesting to blocks. Duties and schedules vary between blockchains, so there is no single universal definition of validator downtime.