Line dead and dont know why

hubb

I am with sky after bt for many years. Just the last couple of days my phone line has been crackling with a poor line. Today it has been intermittent until completely dead. The old master socket is a bt with the front panel missing. I suspect that this may be the issue as sky website has no faults for my area ( am writing this using public wifi) the question is how do i find what the problem is. Can i buy a new master socket and fit it myself? If not, who is the cheapest ? I have no way of knowing if it is the line or my socket.

kwikbreaks

You can't legitimately fit your own master socket. If it is the post 1980s socket with a removable faceplate and you still have an inner socket you are plugging in to you can buy a filtered faceplate to replace the missing BT one.

Either way it's not likely to be the cause of the problem which is more likely a bad joint somewhere between you and the exchange. You need to report it as a voice fault to Sky who will arrange for Openreach to come out and fix it. If the master socket is damaged you may end up with a bill to fix that. If you are certain the master is damaged then you could get one off eBay and fit it if you know what you are about but the odds are that won't cure the problem and the Openreach engineer will probably spot a DIY repair which unknown consequences (it's against the T&C to tamper with a master socket).

hubb

Ok, thanks. Well it seems to be back on now after being dead all day but still a bit crackly and slow. Will report to sky.

Old_Git

sky can do a test on the line without needing access to your home .If you do need a new master socket check local paper or gumtree for Ex BT engineer .

Bigphil1474

Don't forget to check your telephone i.e. get a different phone and plug it in to make sure the handset isn't dodgy. Had a similar sounding issue a few years back, and the fault was with the phone line from the house to the telegraph pole - BT repaired at no cost, but would have charged if it turned out to be the equipment or master socket.

brightonman123

check handset OK? on TONE dial setting?


Are ADSL filters fitted- to ALL phone sockets?


A local engineer replacing phone socket maybe cheaper, but then you may not get support from Sky..