New HP has no phone jack. Can't use my dial up service. HELP!!

A "Line in Use" message generally means that the phone can't get a dial tone. If all of the handsets/phones for that line are on standby or on hook, you need to check the wiring and incoming connection. First, connect a new RJ-11 cord between the phone and the jack. Check if there is a dial tone with the new cord. At least once, I saw a handset cord used in place of the RJ-11 cable. This combination will give this type of issue. If you have a DSL line, check the filter and replace it if it is inside.

For the rest of the wiring trouble-shooting, I like to check the wiring with a basic corded phone. Check if the test phone gets a dial tone at the first jack. If it does, then your first phone has a problem. If there is no dial tone, try plugging in the test phone at another jack on that extension line. If there is a dial tone, that suggests a problem at the first jack or the wiring to that jack. If you do not have a dial tone or there is no second jack, find your service connection. Open the box and look at the connections. If there is an RJ-11 jack, plug in the test phone. If you have a dial tone here, you have a wiring problem. If there is no RJ-11 jack or no dial tone, contact your telephone company. They can test the phone line and determine if the problem is inside or outside.

If the jack could be faulty, remove the cover plate. Look for any loose wires. There are two types of jacks - keystone and screw terminals. To replace a wire in a keystone jack, you will need a punch-down tool available at most hardware stores in the electrical and wiring aisle. Do not strip the wire; just place it in the correct position and push the wire into place with the tool. For the other type of jack, strip a small section of wire and secure it under the screw. See http://www.lanshack.com/wire_phone_jack.aspx to see the terminal connections.

In many places, the phone company technicians will fix an outside problem for free. This includes a DSL filter in the service box. (There are some phone companies that are trying to force system upgrades and will avoid fixing older wiring.) If the problem is inside but not at the jack, you may want a professional to search for the issue. Your phone company technicians will often do this for a fee.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(I've had dial tone issues several times. Some were caused by rodents chewing on the copper wires (underground service). Others were due to work crews digging up the wire. A final outage issue had to do with a lightning strike damaging the DSL filter. With a fiber optic connection, we've had two service issues. The first was just after the installation and involved only one jack. That cable had been dropped during the service upgrade. After locating the RJ-11 cable behind the siding and connecting it to the service box port, the problem was solved. The second required a service call - the fiber optic modem card began to fail and couldn't properly translate the signal. The card was replaced solving all of the problems.)

A "Line in Use" message generally means that there is no dial tone detected. Assuming that all of the handsets are in Standby and any other phones are connected to that line are also on their hooks, then you need to determine why the base isn't getting a dial tone. This can be an inside or outside wiring problem.

I like to use an old wired telephone for testing since power isn't required to use the phone. You also need another RJ-11 telephone wire. Try connecting a new RJ-11 wire between the KX-TGA131 base and the phone jack. If there is a dial tone with the new cable, you had a bad cable. If not, try the alternate phone. If the test phone has a dial tone, then the KX-TGA131 has failed or has a power problem. If the phone is under warranty, contact Panasonic.

If neither phone has a dial tone, take your test phone to another jack connected to the same phone line (number), if available. If you have a dial tone here, then the problem is in the first jack or the wiring to the jack. You can try to repair the jack yourself. Remove the cover plate and look at the jack. If any wires are loose, reconnect them to their appropriate location. See http://www.lanshack.com/wire_phone_jack.aspx for the usual patterns. There are two types of telephone jacks, keystone and screw terminals. For the keystone type, you need a punch-down tool (available at many hardware stores in the electrical section) to put the wires back in place. Do not strip the individual conductors before using the punch down tool. For screw terminals, strip the wire before securing it under the screw.

If you do not have another jack or there is no dial tone at the second jack, find the incoming telephone service box. Open the box and check the wiring. If you find an RJ-11 jack, plug in your test phone and listen for a dial tone. If there is a dial tone, you have a wiring problem. Check the jacks as above. You may want to have someone else check the wiring in the walls if there are no broken/loose wires in the jacks. Your telephone company will usually offer the service for a fee.

If you can't test the phone line at the service box or there is no dial tone at the service box, contact your telephone company. They will test the service box and should repair outside issues for free. (Some providers are trying to avoid copper repairs.)

If you have DSL, you may need to check the line filter. This filter can disrupt the dial tone when it fails. If the filter is in the interior, you are responsible for the replacement. In my service area, the DSL filter was in the service box so my telephone company repaired it.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(I've had no line issues several times. Sometimes, it was the result of a contractor cutting through underground lines. With copper wire, rodents sometimes damaged those underground wires. Once it was simply an issue of a contractor who'd left one wire loose after upgrading the service.)

Unplug the base station for a few min's and see if that cures the issue.

The "Line in Use" message often occurs when there is no dial tone. You'll need to identify where the dial tone problem is coming from. First, check that the base has power and try a new RJ-11 cable between the jack and the base. I like to use a old corded handset phone for additional testing. First plug in a different phone to the jack. Do you have a dial tone? If you do, then the CS6482 has failed.

If there is no dial tone, next try plugging the test phone into a different phone jack, if one is available. If there is a dial tone at another jack and a new cord didn't help at the first jack, then you have a wiring fault at the first jack. This could be in the jack itself or in the wiring to where the phone service comes in. You can fix the jack more easily. Remove the cover plate and determine the type of jack and look for a loose wire. If the wires are attached to screws, you remove the insulation from the end of the conductor and slide it under the appropriate screw. Then tighten the screw onto the wire. For keystone jacks, you'll need a push-down tool to press the wire back into place. The tool is sold in most hardware stores in the electrical aisle. Do not strip the wire before pushing it into place. See http://cablesupply.com/content/47-telephone-connections-and-rj11 to match the wire colors to the correct pin on the jack.

If you do not have a dial tone at another jack or do not have another phone jack in the house to test, find the service box. Open the box and check the connection type. If you find an RJ-11 jack, use your test phone to check for a dial tone. If there is no dial tone or it isn't an RJ-11 jack, contact your telephone company. They can test the phone line and will repair the wires for free if there is outside damage. If the problem is inside the walls, the telephone company will charge a fee to repair the issue. (This may be easier than finding a broken wire in the wall yourself.) Note: some telephone companies are trying to move residential units to newer fiber optic services and do not want to repair the copper wire to the door. This can cause problems with some security phone alerts.

I know at least twice we lost the dial tone on copper wiring after rodents chewed on the wires. That issue hasn't repeated since we were upgraded to fiber. However, during the upgrade, the installer dropped one of the RJ-11 lines behind the siding on the outside wall. Thus one phone was without a dial tone, we found the dangling wire and restored the phone service in seconds. We also lost the dial tone after contractors dug into the underground telephone service up the road from us. That was repaired quickly.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

The "No Line" message means that the base of the cordless phone either doesn't have power, the line is damaged or that the handset/base are not communicating properly. To diagnose the problem, first check that the base AC cord is connected to a good outlet. You may want to unplug the cord from both the phone and the wall outlet and then plug it in again. (I've seen a case where someone turned off a surge protector and forgot to turn it back on; without power, the cordless phone won't work.)

To check if the problem is the phone line, I like to use an old corded telephone. Plug the backup phone in and check for a dial tone. If there is no dial tone, try a new RJ-11 cord. If there is still no dial tone, try the test phone at another jack. If you can, find the box where your telephone line service comes in. Open the box and look to see if there is an RJ-11 jack. If that jack is present, try using the test phone and listen for the dial tone. If there is no dial tone at the service box, contact your phone company. They should fix this problem for free. (It's possible that rodents have damaged the phone line outside of your home.) If the box doesn't have an RJ-11 jack, you'll need the phone company to test the service and repair it if needed.

If there is a dial tone at the service jack, then you have an inside problem. If there was no dial tone at only the first jack, you can check the jack itself. Unscrew the face plate and look at the back of the unit. There are two types of connections. If you have the screw terminals, look for a disconnected wire. Strip a new section of wire and secure it under the correct screw on the face plate. See http://cablesupply.com/content/47-telephone-connections-and-rj11 for the wiring pattern. If the jack uses a keystone, you'll need a punch-down tool that is available in many hardware stores in the electrical wiring section. Do not strip the conductor; just push it down into the correct slot of the keystone. If the problem is not at the jack, you'll need to check all of the wiring from the service box for damage. Your telephone company will do this for a fee.

If the test phone had a dial tone at all of the telephone jacks, then the problem is with the cordless handset and the base. One of the two units is not communicating correctly (transmit/receive). If your cordless phone is still under warranty, contact Motorola. If only one handset can be used with the base, replace the phone. If your cordless phone can pair multiple handsets with the base and only one handset is giving the "no line" message, replace the handset.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

I like to use an old corded phone to diagnose telephone line problems. First though, try a new telephone cord between the base and the phone jack. (This can be obvious to some but I once saw a person swap a handset cord (the coiled cord) and an RJ-11 cable.)

Next plug a different phone into the jack. If it gets a dial tone, the KXTGA470B needs service. (If it is out of warranty, it may be better to replace it.) If the second phone does not get a dial tone, try the spare phone at a different jack if there is one. If the phone gets a dial tone at this jack, your wiring to the jack or inside it is faulty. I'd check the jack first, unscrew the faceplate and look at the back of the unit. There are two types of jacks. One has all of the conductor wires connect to screw terminals. If any wire is broken, strip the shielding from a bit more of the wire. Then wrap the wire under the appropriate screw. The other type of jack is a keystone. If a wire is loose, you'll need a punch-down tool (available at many hardware stores in the wiring section). Do not strip the wire, just press a new section into the correct point on the keystone. See http://www.lanshack.com/wire_phone_jack.aspx for the pin assignments.

If there isn't another phone line jack or there is no dial tone at another jack, find where your telephone service comes in. Open the box and look inside. If you are lucky, the service will have an RJ-11 connection. Plug in your test phone and check for dial tone. If there is still no dial tone, call your phone company and tell them to fix it. (I've had mice chew wires in underground service.) It will be a free repair. If there is a dial tone here, you've confirmed an inside wiring issue. One thing to check while you are at the box: since you have multiple jacks, check that all of the wires connect to the box. We had our service upgraded and they forgot to wire one jack to the new service box. (It was obvious when we went to the box; the wire was just floating behind the house's vinyl siding.)

Next consider your service type, if you have DSL with your phone service, check the filter. Some phone companies have these inside the home and you are responsible for it. Lightning strikes nearby can damage them and interrupt the phone line. Otherwise, since you didn't see any breaks in the wires when you inspected them, you may want a professional to check the wiring. It's possible to have one broken conductor within the shielding. (One way to test this is to swap the wires at the service box and the jack. Most RJ-11 lines are 4 or 6 wires. Two wires are needed for each line. Use the diagram I linked to above and physically connect the R2 and T2 lines to the R1 pins.) Some telephone companies will do indoor repairs for a fee.

If the service box doesn't have an RJ-11 connection or you have an outside DSL filter, ask them to send someone out to physically check the service. (Just because their computer says it is up, doesn't mean it is. I've seen it happen.)

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(My preferred test phone is an old rotary unit. It never fails unlike some newer phones.)

Whenever I see this issue, I grab an old corded phone as a test phone. The line in use message could be a problem with the phone line or the phone. First make sure that the base has power and try a new phone data cord (RJ-11). Next plug in a test phone to that jack and see if you get a dial tone (preferably with the new data cord).

If you do not get a normal dial tone, try another jack on the line. If you still do not have a dial tone, find where the phone service comes in and open the box. If you have a new service, you'll find an RJ-11 jack in the box. In that case, plug your test phone into the jack. If there is no dial tone or you can't test at the service box, contact your phone company. They will test the line and fix any outside problem.

If it is an inside problem, inspect all visible wiring and open the wall plate if only one jack is bad. There are two standard types of wall plate connections. For one, you strip the conductors and secure them under a screw. For the other, you use a punch down tool to press the conductors (without stripping them) into the right spot in the keystone jack. This tool is available at many home improvement stores in the wiring section. See http://www.lanshack.com/wire_phone_jack.aspx for a picture of the correct wiring.

If the problem is with your phone only, try to reset it. Take the batteries out of the handsets and unplug the power cord from the base and the wall outlet. Wait a few minutes and then plug everything back in. Make sure that the power brick is warm (getting power) and that the handset batteries are fully charged.

If the reset doesn't help, you should contact the manufacturer. If the phone is under warranty have them repair it. (If it is out of warranty, decide if it is worth fixing.) Most of these phones are not meant to be repaired by the consumer.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

Most cordless phones will say connecting when the handset is out of range, the base has no power or the base does not have a dial tone.

I start my tests at the base and make sure that another phone (preferably an old corded phone) gets a dial tone at that jack. Try a new phone cord to check if the cable is bad. Check if the power brick for the base is warm and that the outlet has power. For some phones, you can reset them by unplugging the base and removing the battery from the handset. Then reconnect the battery and plug in the base. Check if the handset and base can communicate (try the Find Handset option). If needed re-register the handset.

If the test phone doesn't get a dial tone, then you need to find where you have a wiring problem. Try the test phone at another phone jack. If there is still no dial tone, find the telephone service box (where the phone line comes in). If you have a fairly new service, you will find an RJ-11 jack in the box. Plug in your test phone and check for a dial tone. If you have no dial tone, contact your phone company. They will come and fix the line for free. (If you can't use an RJ-11 cord at the service box, your phone company will test this outside connection.)

If there is a dial tone at the service box or at one jack and not another, it's an inside wiring problem. Look at any open wires (perhaps in the basement) for obvious damage. Open the jack and check for loose wires. (There are two types of jacks - one wraps the wire around a screw, the other requires a punch down tool to secure the conductors in the keystone. The conductors should be connected to the terminals in the correct order. To see a picture of the terminal connections that are used, see http://www.lanshack.com/wire_phone_jack.aspx . The punchdown tool is available at many home improvement stores in the wiring aisle.)

If your test phone had dial tone at the original jack and resetting the phone by disconnecting the power did not help, then the phone needs service. If it is under warranty, contact V-tech. Otherwise, you may be better off replacing the unit. These phones are not meant to be user serviced.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(if you add a comment with the model, then I will check if I can provide more details in my solution.)

This sort of issue requires you to check if the base or the phone line has a problem.

I prefer to use an old corded phone for testing. I also get a new RJ-11 cable. Unplug your phone base from the jack and check for dial tone when you plug in your test phone.

If you get a dial tone on the test phone, try the new cable with your cordless phone. If you still get that message, then the phone has failed. If it is under warranty, contact the manufacturer for repairs. If it is out of warranty, then determine if it is worth fixing or replacing. These phones are not designed to be fixed by the end user.

If you do not have a dial tone, take your test phone to another jack on the phone line. Check if there is a dial tone at that point. If there is a dial tone, the problem is at the first jack or the phone line to the jack.

If you still do not have a dial tone at the second jack, find where your telephone service comes in. Open the box and determine the type of connection used. If you are lucky, it will have RJ-11 connections. Plug your test phone into the jack and check for a dial tone. If you do not have a dial tone at this point, call your telephone company. They will fix the problem for free. If you find that the connection is not an RJ-11 type, call the phone company and have them test the line and repair it if needed.

If you have a dial tone at the service box, then you have an inside wiring problem. Inspect the visible wires for damage. Open the faceplates for the jacks and check for loose wires. There are two types of connectors. Screw type connectors need the wire stripped back a little then wrap around the screw and tighten. The other type is a punchdown jack. To repair a loose wire in this, you will need a punchdown tool. These are often available in hardware/home improvement stores in the wiring section. http://www.lanshack.com/wire_phone_jack.aspx has clear pictures of the wire color to pin pattern.

You may want a professional to check the wires inside the walls. Your telephone provider will do this for a fee.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(who has had outside phone line problems due to rodents chewing on wires, road crews digging just a little too much, and lightning damaging a DSL filter.)

Can you receive any faxes. Run a Fax Test from the Tools menu. Is the problem with only one fax receipient? (Check the phone number and make sure they are set to receive. I have dealt with one fax receipient where the call-waiting service caught the fax call.)

Does the Fax see a dial tone? If there is no dial tone, use a single line phone (corded) to listen for a dial tone at that jack. If there is no dial tone, check the incoming service for a dial tone. (If you have no dial tone at all, contact your service provider.) Try a new phone cable (2-wire RJ-11) Try calling the number from another phone line with the single line phone attached. If the phone doesn't ring with a new cable, check your wiring and then contact your provider. Is the signal analog or digital (the all-in-one is designed for digital)?

Go back through the fax settings and set it as directed in Step 2 here: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01458259&tmp_task=solveCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=3643612 . You need the fax error reporting setting.

Disconnect any items that are plugged into the 2-Ext port.

Try reinitializing the unit. Unplug the power cord with the unit on. Make sure that the phone cord is fully seated in the 1-Line port. Then reconnect the power cord.

Try resetting the all-in-one, this may require 2 people. With the printer on, unplug the power cord and wait at least 20 seconds. Press and hold # and 3 while plugging in the power cord. Release the buttons after the unit starts up.

If none of these steps help the unit may need service.

Cindy Wells