Problems with the phone line can be very annoying at times, but you can figure out the source of the problem yourself. First of all, look for connectivity problems in your home that could potentially be a source of trouble. If the telephone line continues to have interference, make sure your home is connected to a telephone line outside your home by checking the connection. You can also use a multimeter or voltmeter to look for a telephone signal or detect problems with your home's wiring system. To make sure the phone line isn't busy, you can call another phone number to check if you can connect or just hear a busy tone.
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Method 1 of 4: Troubleshooting Connectivity Problems at Home
Step 1. Place the landline on the plane to make sure the call line is closed
Check every phone connected to the landline to make sure it's closed. Just in case, pick up the receiver and place it back on the plane.
This will ensure that your phone line isn't interrupted by a phone that's still connected and ensures that you're not receiving any calls
Step 2. Make sure the cordless phone has sufficient power
If you're using a cordless phone, it's possible that the battery is running low. Plug the phone into the charger and wait for at least 15 minutes. After that, check the phone one more time to see the changes.
- If you have a cordless phone, the line may not work because the phone battery has run out.
- If you have a regular wired phone, use it to check the phone line without waiting for the cordless phone to charge.
Step 3. Make sure the phone cord is plugged into place
Unplug the phone cord and check to make sure it is not damaged. Plug the cable back in and make sure the connection feels stable, doesn't wobble or feel loose.
If the connection cable is damaged, that could be the source of the problem. Buy a new phone cord to make sure the phone line is still working
Step 4. Test multiple phones on the same line to make sure the problem is not coming from the phone
If there is another telephone in the house, unplug the telephone that is connected to the line. After that, connect another phone to check the line. Position the receiver to your ear to make sure that a ringtone is heard.
This method will help you to eliminate phone malfunction as the source of the problem
Step 5. Check each phone line to find out if interference is occurring simultaneously
If you have more than one phone cord, check each one individually to see if the problem is on all lines or just one phone. First, unplug all devices in the house, including telephones, fax machines, and modems. After that, use one phone to check the function of each line to make sure the problem isn't just happening in one spot.
If only one line is the problem, contact your home telephone line provider for repair. This can save you a lot of money because you already know where the problem is
Step 6. Call your landline number from another number
Use your cell phone to dial the landline you want to check. Alternatively, you can ask your neighbors to call your number. Check if the phone at home is ringing or just getting a busy signal.
This method can help you identify a phone that can receive calls but cannot make outgoing calls
Method 2 of 4: Checking Connections Outside the Home
Step 1. Find the telephone line cable that is connected to your home
Go outside and find the cable that connects to the house. You'll see a thin black wire running from the nearest telephone pole box to your house. Search this cord to find a landline box.
Tip:
Especially for telephone lines made by BT, the test socket is usually located inside the main socket. Instead of going outside, unscrew the screws on the main socket plate to access the test socket inside. Then, plug your phone into the socket to see if you hear the key ring.
Step 2. Trace the wires until you find a square box on the exterior of your house
Once you've found the telephone wires, search the wires by eye for points of connection to your home. Look for a small, plated box outside the housing that is secured with screws.
- You will see the phone cord protruding out of the box.
- If your house is very old, you may not be able to open the phone line box. If this happens, contact your home telephone line company for assistance.
Step 3. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the screws on the box cover, then open the box
Look for the screws that secure the phone line box cover. Remove the screws from the plate. This method allows you to have access to both the telephone line and the cable that connects the line from outside the house to the inside of the house.
Make sure you use the right screwdriver. The screw attached can be either a minus or a plus screw
Step 4. Look for the telephone jack that the phone cord is plugged into
Inside the box, you'll see a bunch of wires and a phone jack that the phone cord attaches to. Perform a visual inspection for points where the telephone cord is attached.
This is the place to do a telephone line test
Step 5. Unplug the cable from the hole
Squeeze the cable head and pull it out of the hole. Leave the cable head hanging, as you will plug it back in when you are done testing the phone line.
This method will disconnect the telephone line at home from outside telephone lines
Step 6. Plug the phone cord into the jack
Plug the telephone cord that is connected to the telephone you are using to perform the test into the jack jack. Make sure the cable is firmly attached.
This method will connect the telephone directly to a telephone line outside the house
Step 7. Listen to the dial tone from the telephone receiver
Hang up the phone to make sure the line is “clean”. After that, take the receiver from the holder and position it in front of the ear. Make sure you hear a dial tone.
- If you hear a dial tone, the problem with the telephone line is in the house. If this happens, you may need to repair the telephone line in your home.
- If you don't hear a dial tone, the problem may be with the outside phone line that connects to your home. Call the telephone line provider and have them check the connection.
Method 3 of 4: Testing Signals and Wiring with a Multimeter or Voltmeter
Step 1. Disconnect all telephone lines, fax machines, and modems in the house
Testing with a multimeter or voltmeter cannot be performed if a device is connected to the telephone line. Unplug all cables connected to all communication devices in the house before performing the test.
- Multimeters and voltmeters can both test the continuity of the telephone line at home.
- In addition, the voltmeter can test the telephone signal coming into the house.
Step 2. Open the telephone line box outside the house to access the cables
Look for the telephone line that connects to the outside of the house, then trace the cords until you find a square box that holds the telephone wire string. Use the screws to access the box and open the cover. You will see a phone line in it.
Keep everything plugged in if you are using a voltmeter to test the signal
Step 3. Test the signal from the telephone company by attaching a voltmeter to the wiring harness
This is optional, but can confirm the presence of a signal from the telephone line provider. Set the voltmeter to volt or VDC mode. After that, touch the black satellite on the device to the red cable and the red satellite to the green cable. Check the voltmeter to make sure there are visible readings, usually in the 45 to 48 mV range.
If the reading does not come out or displays the number 0, you are not getting a signal from the telephone line provider. Contact the service provider for assistance or repair
Step 4. Disconnect the telephone cord and its wires to check the circuit
Unplug the telephone cord from its exterior connection and leave the telephone line open. After that, unplug the colored wire to open the circuit. Make sure no wires are touching each other. If the wires touch each other, the circuit will break so you cannot test the continuity of the telephone line.
This will temporarily disconnect the telephone line in your home so you can check the wires
Step 5. Set the multimeter or voltmeter to the continuity setting
Follow the instructions on the device to change the settings. This method allows you to check if any live wires in the house are touching each other.
Multimeters and voltmeters both have continuity settings
Step 6. Touch both ends of the gauge to make sure it works properly
Multimeters and voltmeters have two measuring ends that can be used to test the electric current in the wires. To make sure it works properly, glue the two ends together. If the gauge still works, you'll get a continuity reading.
If the screen appears blank or the reading is 0, the measuring tip on the device you are using is not working. This indicates that your device is damaged and must be replaced
Step 7. Attach each end of the multimeter or voltmeter to one of the telephone wires
If you are using a multimeter, attach the tip of the gauge to the wires that are parallel to it to reduce the risk of the wires crossing each other. If you are using a voltmeter, attach the black lead to the red wire and the red lead to the green wire.
If the wires are of different colors, attach each wire in pairs to check for continuity
Step 8. Check the continuity reading for damage to the telephone line
If you detect continuity, it indicates the presence of wires touching each other at one point in the house or indicates a faulty jack. Contacting wires will damage the power supply and cause the telephone line to malfunction. In general, you have to bear the repair of the existing wiring in the house.
The telephone line company may send someone to fix the cable, which you will have to pay for yourself. However, they can also recommend that you hire a private contractor to access the cables in the walls of the house
Step 9. Test each phone cord in pairs for the problem line
Check the cables outside the house first. If there are no connectivity issues, chances are the cables in your home are fine. If there are connectivity issues, check the cables that go into each of the phone jacks to find the source of the problem.
When you call the telephone company, tell them that the wires in the house are showing no problems or state which phone jack is the problem. This can help them deal with the problem faster and you can save money by knowing that the problem isn't coming from your home
Method 4 of 4: Identifying a Busy Phone Line
Step 1. Call the phone number you want to check
The best way to identify a busy phone line is to call it. Use a cell phone or landline to dial the number.
Tip:
If you are having trouble contacting someone, make sure the number is correct. This may sound trivial, but errors in entering or writing phone numbers are very common.
Step 2. Listen for the ringtone or busy tone that appears
If the line is open, you will hear the phone ring. However, if you only hear a busy tone, it's very likely someone is on the phone line.
- You will also hear a busy tone if the phone is accidentally left unlocked or someone else is calling the number at the same time.
- Sometimes, the busy tone on the phone sounds very fast or appears after the phone rings if your landline number is blocked.
Step 3. Call the same number next time to find out if the line is connected
Wait at least 15 minutes, then try to call again. Listen if the phone rings or emits a busy tone again. If the line is still busy, you can call back after 30 minutes or 1 hour.
It's a good idea to call the number a few times before assuming that something is wrong. However, make multiple calls so you don't call the same number constantly
Step 4. Use another method of dialing the landline number if you continue to hear the busy tone
The telephone line may be damaged if you continue to hear a busy tone. If this happens, send a message via email or use another phone line to dial your destination number. Say that you keep hearing a busy tone when trying to call the number so the owner of the number can check the line.
Tip:
Consider checking the phone line yourself before asking the owner of the number to check the line.
