Confused - Router won’t connect via Master/Test socket

Enceladus

The router and/or a phone should always work in the test socket behind the lower faceplate of the BT master socket.

I assume you mean that you unplugged your extension cable and tried the router directly with the BT master socket? You would need a filter to do that as your ADSL cable has square(ish) RJ11 connectors at either end and doesn't fit into the rectangular BT socket. The filter also acts as an adaptor.

When that didn't work you removed the lower half of the BT faceplate and connected to the BT test socket behind, once again you would need the filter as an adaptor? But that still doesn't work? Please confirm that you using the ADSL RJ11 cable that came with the Sky router? It might have purple ends.

Your router plugged into the test socket with the correct cable and an adaptor/filter should work. So this sounds like you may not have correctly identified the master socket. Might this be some sort of intermediate extension socket?

This link might help positively identify which type of BT Master you have?

[Deleted User]

wongataa wrote: »

If you have a faulty master socket Openreach will replace free of charge as it is their property responsibility to provide a working one.

Ahh, you're correct, I'd forgotten that bit. It does come with the caveat of course that if it isn't the mastersocket then they may charge you for the call out.

bagand96

JJ_Egan wrote: »

That phone extension is not good enough for internet .

I know that such extensions are not ideal for ADSL, but this extension has provided me with 15Mbps + connection for more than two years.

Enceladus wrote:

Your router plugged into the test socket with the correct cable and an adaptor/filter should work. So this sounds like you may not have correctly identified the master socket. Might this be some sort of intermediate extension socket?

Yes I've tested the master and test socket using an ADSL filter. I've definitely identified the correct master socket, it's the only phone socket in the house, I can see where the phone line comes to the property, runs down the wall, and into this master socket.

I know this goes against everything, which is why it is baffling me so much. The router will not sync at the master/test socket, but will sync (at very low speed) at the end of a 10m phone extension cable plugged into the master.

iniltous wrote:

Have you done any tests with a phone ?

I don't usually have a phone connected as I don't use my landline. But I've borrowed one today (a corded one) and there's no dial tone.

I've called Sky, and as it happens a case has already been raised (must've come from some of their online diagnostics I did over the weekend). They say it's been escalated to Openreach as it's a fault outside the home so we'll see what happens.

iniltous

bagand96 wrote: »

I know that such extensions are not ideal for ADSL, but this extension has provided me with 15Mbps + connection for more than two years.




Yes I've tested the master and test socket using an ADSL filter. I've definitely identified the correct master socket, it's the only phone socket in the house, I can see where the phone line comes to the property, runs down the wall, and into this master socket.

I know this goes against everything, which is why it is baffling me so much. The router will not sync at the master/test socket, but will sync (at very low speed) at the end of a 10m phone extension cable plugged into the master.



I don't usually have a phone connected as I don't use my landline. But I've borrowed one today (a corded one) and there's no dial tone.

I've called Sky, and as it happens a case has already been raised (must've come from some of their online diagnostics I did over the weekend). They say it's been escalated to Openreach as it's a fault outside the home so we'll see what happens.

Your line is probably 'dis 1 leg', this will stop your phone working completely and reduce your broadband speed considerably...when the fault is fixed your phone will work and broadband speed will restore the to previous level....the fact the reduced speed broadband works on the extension but not at the master is a mystery , but if the fault is fixed quickly ,it's not worth worrying about

[Deleted User]

bagand96 wrote: »

Yes I've tested the master and test socket using an ADSL filter. I've definitely identified the correct master socket, it's the only phone socket in the house, I can see where the phone line comes to the property, runs down the wall, and into this master socket.

I know this goes against everything, which is why it is baffling me so much. The router will not sync at the master/test socket, but will sync (at very low speed) at the end of a 10m phone extension cable plugged into the master.

There's a few possibilities I think.

One is have you tried using the same filter when testing at the test socket that you use on the extension? Filters do fail and in fact should be changed every so often.

Have you tried a different short cable (and filter) from the test socket?

Have you tried the extension in the test socket?

bagand96

Yeah I’ve tried all the usual troubleshooting, different filters, using a LAN cable to eliminate WiFi issue, even tried a spare router.

Think that with there being no dial tone on a phone it definitely points to a line issue. But of a blessing really as it’s far easier to get them to respond to a no dial tone than a “my broadband speed is reduced”.

AndyPK

Good init.


I'm paying £19 for LR and I have no dial tone. Can you fix it please?
When did it last work?
Well I borrowed a phone from my neighbour, so don't know if it has ever worked!

DoaM

Have you tried the phone plugged in to the extension? (Again there should be no dial tone, like at the master/test socket, but ............ )

bagand96

Just to finish the story....

Openreach have just been. Was indeed a fault on the line, just as it entered the property. There was a junction box on the outside of the house .before the line entered through the door frame. Fault was there.

He's replaced the line into the property and replaced the ancient master socket and all is back to normal, 18Mbps, about as fast as ADSL will get.

Chatted to him about the router being able to sync at the end of a 10m extension but not in the master socket. He said it is surprising but not impossible, he'd something similar before.