4 Ways to Check for Phone Wiring Problems

Phone wiring problems in your home can usually be identified without much effort or time. Realistically, there are only 3 things that can cause your phone to stop working: a) phone service coming into your home, b) defective telephone, or c) wiring problems. Fixing the defective phone or defective phone service is a no-brainer. The real challenge is in locating and repairing a problem with the wiring. The following tips will help you identify the source of your wiring problem.

Things you'll need:

• Screwdriver
• Telephone test set or analog phone
• Tone generator
• Induction amplifier
• Gloves

Step 1 – Isolate the Problem's Source
If your phone is dead, if you get dial tone but cannot make a call, or if you hear static on your phone, this is not proof that you have a wiring problem, even if your phone service company tells you it is. You will need to isolate your problem to your house wiring. If you have a phone that you know works, plug it into a phone jack and try to make a call. If you still have a problem, check the telephone company's line at your service provider's "D-mark," the jack where the service connects to your house's phone circuit. If your phone fails to get a dial tone at the D-mark, chances are good that the problem is with your service.

Step 2 – Static and Dialtone Test
If you have static on the phone that you know is good but is connected to a house jack it could mean the problem is in the house wiring. It could also mean the problem is in one of the house phone jacks or in your service provider's line. If, in testing at the D-mark you get static, the problem is most likely with your service.

Step 3 – Check Phone Jack Connections
A phone with no dial tone, when plugged into multiple jacks, pretty much rules out a jack connection problem. A phone that fails to work at one jack but works on other jack confirms the problem is in the one of these jack. With the phone plugged into the faulty jack, remove the jack cover and examine the jack's connecting terminals. Try jiggling each one. Wearing gloves when you touch these terminals will keep you from receiving the mild shock you might otherwise get if a ring current is introduced onto the circuit while you're touching the wire.

Step 4 – Using Test Tools
Unless the wire from each jack is connected at a central point in your home, your wiring is most like installed in a series, much like Christmas tree lights. Plug your tone generator into one of your home's phone jacks. Insert the tip of the amplifier into the opening into which your phone cord is normally connected. If the wiring is solid between both jacks, you'll hear the generator tone from the amplifier. If you get no tone, this will tell you the phone line between these jacks is broken or that the terminals are not screwed on tight. Follow this same procedure at all other jacks in your house until you've found the problem.