Telephone Line Troubleshooting Suggestions

You have been directed to this page because we have identified that you are having an issue with either your Telephone Service or phone wires.

Common Issues: Static, echo, low volume, dropped calls/disconnected calls, humming sounds.

Here are some troubleshooting steps you can do on your own before calling your Telephone Company to possibly resolve your issue.

Check Wiring

  1. Does anything seem lose, crimped, bent or pinched? If so, replace the cable/wire.
  2. Do the lines look like they are in good shape? Not frayed or chewed? Replace if they don't look to be in good shape.

Test Devices

If there is a malfunctioning device (phones, fax machines, security system) plugged in, it could possibly be causing your issue. There is a simple test to see if another plugged in device is causing your issue:

  • Unplug every other device in your house that is plugged into a phone line. Does the issue still occur?
    • Yes - Then the other devices are not the issue and can be plugged back in.
    • No - Another device is causing your issue, plug them back in one by one to identify the culprit.

The phone you are on could be the issue too. Unplug it completely and see if the issue occurs on a totally different telephone. Does the issue occur on the different telephone?

  • Yes - Your current phone is fine and not causing the issue
  • No - Another device is causing your issue, plug them back in one by one to identify the culprit.

DSL Filters

If you have DSL make sure that every device plugged into a phone jack has a functioning DSL filter.

Also, make sure the phone that you are using is plugged into the wall itself and not into a "DSL Splitter" or the back of your DSL modem. While technically this works, plugging a phone into a splitter or the back of your modem seems to cause issues.

Test the Phone Jack

The issue could possibly be the phone jack itself. Try plugging your phone into another phone jack. If the issue continues, then your phone jack is fine. If the issue goes away, the phone jack needs to be repaired or replaced.

Recent Bad Weather/Construction

Have you recently had bad or severe weather? It is possible that loose fittings outside, exposed wiring or other issues could be the cause of your problem.

Contact your Telephone Company

If none of the above helps, you should call your Telephone Company to have them come out and check your lines.

More Information

For more information: eHow, Ask The Builder, Charter Communications