We have 2 Vtech cordless phones -a 6.0 and a 5.8 I don't think either work when the power goes off. Can't even phone the Power co.. Is this normal ?

Out of range OR No power at base is shown in the handset ...

www.vtechphones.com/support/.../353

VTech Communications Inc.Out of range OR No power at base is shown in the handset display window. Why don't ... Tip 1 of 5. Confirm proper installation of the telephone base and charger power adapters, and handset battery. You should only use the VTech power adapters provided with your telephone. ... Next Tip This solved my problem. Tip 2 of 5.

FAQs - VTech Communications

www.vtechphones.com/.../frequently-asked-...

VTech Communications Inc.Have a question about VTech cordless phones? Visit our ... How do I find my model number ... My battery pack does not last very long between charges.

VTech CS6429-4 DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Phone ...

The battery detect circuit of the cordless phone has failed. "Battery" is the 24VDC signal
sent by the CO (Central Office) to each telephone that goes off-hook.
Fix: get the phone serviced (hopefully under warranty), or replace.

My Dear:
Yes, that is normal for all cordless phones. they are really just a radio that sends a signal from the base/charger to the cordless hand set. when the power goes off the base does not work at all. Go buy yourself a cheap corded phone, and when power goes off plug it into any wall phone jack and then you can make calls.

I think if you switch off by holding down the 'exit' key for about 10 sec, then switch on again (same key) it might recover. Mine did, but seems to need the process repeating from time to time. When switched on again it still has to search for about 5 minutes.

first step is to unplug all power and phone connections from the wall for all Vtech phones and bases.

Second,plug each set and base in the wall for power one at a time.

Go back to the basics and pair the handset with the base of the unit.

Do this for all sets one at a time.

I'm not familar with the Vtech but I would suspect that all 4 units work off of the answering machine base. It sounds like it is seeing a dial tone.
Take a working phones like the wall phone, if it is easily removed, and use a known good connecting cable between the good wall phone and the jack that the Vtech is plugged into.
If that works, take the connecting cable loose and replace it with the Vtech connecting cable. If that works check the jack on the Vtech for crossed wire. If non found, connect it to the jack the wall phone was plugged into. If this doesn't provide satisfaction, let me know exactly what you did and what happened and we will go from there.

This worked for me. Unplug the power to the base for 10 seconds then plug the power back in. That did it for my "connecting....." problem. Good luck!

Mine turned out to be not getting power from the surge protector.  Plugged it into the wall and it worked again.  If the power light is off to the base station it is not getting power and won't connect.  I know this is a duh, but I missed it.  Probably not what is wrong with yours.

Vonage told me the power supply was bad. I said it mesures 5 volts how could it be bad? reply - "I dunno thats what they told us to tell you". I powered it up with a 6 volt "wallwart" and it works fine.