This means that the phone doesn't detect a dial tone. This can be caused by a wiring problem, a service issue or an issue with the phone. A wiring problem could involve the outside wiring or the jack. Sometimes the problem can be as simple as changing the RJ-11 cable between the phone and the jack. (I once saw someone use a handset cord in place of the RJ-11 cable. It didn't work.) Beyond that, you need to check if a different phone works at that jack. I prefer to use an old simple wired phone (no LCD screen, no AC power required). If another phone gets a dial tone, then you know that the problem is with the original phone. Next check if there is a dial tone at another jack for the same phone line, if one is available. If there is a dial tone here, you'll know that the problem is with the first jack or the wiring to that jack. Remove the face plate of the jack and look for a loose wire. These jacks will either have screw terminals or keystones. For the screw terminal type, strip the insulation from the wire and secure the wire under the correct screw. With the keystone, you'll need a punch-down tool available at hardware stores in the electrical section. Do not strip the insulation. Just use the tool to push the into the right spot. See https://www.lanshack.com/wire_phone_jack.aspx for the usual wiring pattern.
If no other jacks are available or there is no dial tone at the second jack, find the incoming phone line service box. Open the service box and look for an RJ-11 jack. Make sure that the wires for the inside service are connected to the service line. (I've had the wire for one extension left loose behind the siding after a service upgrade.) If there is an RJ-11 jack, unplug the current cable and plug in the test phone to check for a dial tone here. If there is a dial tone, you have a damaged wire inside the building. If you can't test the line, contact your telephone company. They will test the line for you. Most companies will fix outside wiring problems for free. (There are some who will try to get you to upgrade since they do not want to maintain the POST copper lines.) To fix a wiring problem inside the walls, you may want to hire someone to do the work for you. The phone company is often willing to have their service tech do this for a fee.
If you has a DSL line, check the DSL filter if it is inside. Replace it if it is damaged. This can take out the voice line; I've had this happen after a nearby lightning strike. (If the filter is in the service box, let the telephone company replace it.) For a fiber-optic service, make sure that the back-up UPS has power or is still running to provide power. If this is working, you'll need to contact the service provider. The modem or other hardware has to be fixed.
I hope this helps.
Cindy Wells
(I've lost landline service from rodents chewing on underground copper lines or contractors who cut cables while digging between my location and the telephone provider. I've also had a damaged fiber-optic modem. In the last case, we had intermittent short loss of dial tone and network access for several weeks before the problem lasted long to be a clear problem. That's when we called the provider.)
79 views
Usually answered in minutes!
×