How come I don't hear a dial tone on any of my house phones?

Question

I picked up the phone today to call somebody and I didn't hear a dial tone. I didn't hear a dial tone in any of the phones in the house either. I used a cell phone to call my house # and I just hear a busy signal. But then again, my dsl is still working. No it's not a new phone or phone company.

What should I do?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

ASk assistance with the telephone services...

I think, a connection will be the problem, or even the phone..

Answer 2

you should call your phone company if or go to the box outside your house plug a phone in there if you hear dial tone it means its a problem inside if you dont that means theres a problem outisde and onlythe phone company can fix it. try unpluggin all the phones in your house for 10 mins

Answer 3

I think Jamie has sorted that problem, yes, a process of elimination  nice one mate :)

Answer 4

Your phone is probably off the hook.

=] Check all your phones and make sure they are all off.

Answer 5

Well being i work for ATT.  the answer to your question would be you have what is called a short circuit on the line.  Usually caused from a phone off the hook or if there was a storm recently then a phone might have gotten a surge causing the short.  This is why you are getting a busy signal when you dial your number ( same concept as if you were on the phone when someone calls) .  As far as the dsl goes. It will still work over a short on the line as it works by making a high frequency connection. For example when you are on the phone the it makes a complete circuit similar to a short and the dsl still stays connected.  The best way to look at it is that your phone line is good to your house.  

To diagnose,  unplug all phones from the phone jacks( phones, fax, dish, even dsl modem.)  Then plug each phone in one at a time making sure you get dialtone. Then press a number to break dialtone ,  hang it up,  then pick it up and make sure the dialton comes back.   As for cordless phones they will usually reset themselves if you unplug them from power after a few mins.  Hope this helps you out .  Sorry for being so long in a response but see it everyday and these are the steps to figure it out .   Good luck.  Also if you have ATT and pay the maintenance plan they will fix it for free.  Its part of your monthly fees.

Answer 6

DSL will work over a line that has trouble on it. Try unplugging you service at the NID and try your # with the cell phone again. If you get a ring, the trouble is inside your house. If still busy, TELCO problem. If need help troubleshooting inside, please reply.

Answer 7

Check to see if you have a phone off the hook somewhere, since you have a busy signal, I would think that something is using the line somewhere, also, if you have a TiVo, a Blu-Ray player or any other media equipment that connects to the phone system, it may be going through update procedures and is using your phone line to dial in for the update, or to get more information