TROUBLE SHOOTING COMMON TELEPHONE PROBLEMS

Trouble shooting steps when you have no dialtone on your phone line.

1. You hear a 'busy' signal when you phone is off hook: If a phone number has been disconnected either by accident or due to a billing issue, you will hear a 'fast' busy signal on your handset when your phone is off hook: Please contact Customer Service at 683 2501 for the resolution to this problem.

2. Your phone is 'dead' when off hook: When you lift the receiver you get no dial tone or sound and when someone trys to call your number they receive a 'busy' signal. This is caused when your phone is in 'lockout'. It can happen when there is a short on the line due to faulty equipment, damaged or wet wiring ar a phone simply being off the hook for more than 90 seconds without a call connected: Check all phones to make sure that they are hung up correctly.*** Unplug all equipment from telphone jacks and try plugging in just one telephone. If dialtone returns, you have a bad piece of equipment. Test each piece of equipment (modems, answering machines, sattelite TV boxes) one at a time until you lose dialtone. Leave enough time after plugging each in for the line to go into lockout (appx. 90 seconds)*** Some arrestor boxes (exterior of house) are accesible with a straight screw driver and have modular plugs that you can unplug to test your phone there. This can prove whether the problem is in your house wiring or Telephone Company equipment. If your phone is dead, but people can call and hear it ring or reach your voicemail, the underground cable may be cut, or the interior wiring of your house could be disconnected: Check to make sure that no digging or excavation has been done around your premises. Make sure to ALWAYS get free locates before digging. If a phone line has been cut, leave the line exposed until a repair person arrives. *** Check with your favorite pet to see where he has been chewing. Try to exclude telephone equipment from pet yard enclosures.

Trouble shooting steps when you have static or noise along with dialtone.

1. When you pick up your phone, you hear static or unwanted noise along with your dialtone.*** Possibly your phone rings once or twice, then goes dead: This condition is usually caused by faulty house wiring either outside or inside. Interior wire (I.W.) can get old and cracked due to sunlight and weather. Moisture can then cause a phone line to become noisy or even short it out completely: Check all exposed phone lines for bad spots or weather cracking. Make sure that any I.W. in crawl spaces is suspended and not on the ground. Check all outlets to make sure there is no moisture in them. Make sure that I.W. is not buried in dirt anywhere. Remember that wiring maintenance plans with Elpasotel can save you costly service fees.

2. DSL modems can cause noise on unfiltered equipment. Since DSL utilizes your standard telephone line, it is necessary to 'filter' all equipment other than your modem. The installing technician provides up to four line filters during installation. Power surges and static electricity (lightning) can damage any equipment that is plugged into the phone system including DSL filters: Check all outlets other than the one your modem is plugged in to. Make sure that approved DSL filters are in place and functioning properly.*** Try shutting off your DSL modem and see if the noise goes away. Contact Customer Service at: 683-2501 for additional or replacement filters.

1. When you are at home during a lightning storm, unplug all equipment from electrical and telphone outlets.

2. Utilize quality surge suppressors that filter both electrical and telephone connections.

3. Make sure that all wiring is as protected as possible from sunlight, moisture and pets....(kids with pocket knives...etc.)

Business Office: 719-683-2501***After hours: 719-683-2323 

or e-mail us at: support@elpasotel.com