Phone line- can ring out but not in?

schofield8883

unsure if this is the correct forum but assume they will move me if not so sorry!
Been having a problem wwith my phone line for a few months where occassionally no one can ring in, it usually happens for a few hrs and then gets back to normal. I thought it was just the telephone because my broadband is always fine!
So i went and bought a new home phone yesturday and plugged it in it has a diall tone and can ring out on it. Didnt realise until i have had a few txts saying no one can ring in. i have tried it on my mobile and when i ring it it says called failed.
Been online on the bt home page (both broadband and home phone are with them) and tried the line checker which says the fault is within my home. The only suggestions are the phone may need charging or isnt pluged it (which it must be if i can ring out!)
says if i need any more help they will have to send an engineer which will cost £130!
Any suggestions?

also forgot to say that i have tried a basic wired phone (which i keep in case of emercencys) and that is the same can ring out but not in

Lucero_2

Rather then using your mobile, can you get someone to call you from a landline to see what they get at their end. Then post back.

Dave_C_2

Because you can ring out your phone line is OK.

For the phone to ring there must be a ringing capacitor in the circuit and it must be connected to the extension socket.
There is a ringing capacitor in the BT master socket where the phone line comes into your house and some broadband filters also have them. All of my BT broadband filters have this.

You are using the BT broadband filters on everything connected to the phone line aren't you? This includes sky boxes.

It could be that the extension wiring in your house from the master socket has had the ring wire disconnected to improve broadband.

Things to try:

1) Plug the phone into the BT master socket and try that - if it rings then it sounds like no ring wire in the extension sockets. this shouldn't matter go to step 6

2) If it doesn't ring from step 1 unscrew the top half of the master socket and plug the phone directly into the test socket underneath.
The second picture shows the test socket in the part of the BT socket left on the wall. This eliminates your house wiring.

3) If the phone doesn't in step 2 then either the phone is duff or the BT socket is broken. This is BT's territory and don't mess with this. BT should fix it for free. Ring and explain what you have just done.

4) You can always try using a broadband filter between the the test socket and the phone. If the phone rings then this means that the filter is OK and contains the all-important ring capacitor

5) If the phone still doesn't ring then either the phone is duff or there is a line fault. Does your phone work in a friend's house.

6) Re-assemble the master socket and plug the good filter into an extension socket. Plug the phone into that. Unplug every other phone/sky box etc.

7) If the phone doesn't ring then there is a fault on the internal wiring.

Please report back

Dave

schofield8883

just tried it it there is a beep and then it says there is a fault please try again
hth

schofield8883

just checking your list now dave thank you

schofield8883

ive just tested the phone in the master socket but it doesnt work and also tried my spare phone (which i kow works) in the master socket and that doesnt either thank you for your help will ring bt up now and tell them what i have tested