Verizon says my phone is off the hook but its NOT

Question

I need help. My home phone hasnt worked in 2 weeks. When I pick it up there is no dial tone and I cannot make or receive calls. I have tried unplugging all my phones and plugging in just one I know to work. Still no dial tone. I have Verizon FiOS and when I called them they tested the line and told me that a "phone was off the hook." They offered to send a technician but I declined. I have looked at every single phone jack in my house to see if I am overlooking any phones that might be off the hook but im quite sure I checked them all. Is it possible for there to be a problem in the internal wiring of my house that makes it seem like a phone is off the hook? Is there any way I can fix this myself? I would call an electrician but if the problem is simple Id like to try and take care of it myself first.

Answer 1

A short on one of your telephone lines will make it look as if a phone is off hook.  Unplug all telephones in your house.  Try calling your house from someone elses house, or from a cell.  If you get a busy signal, then I would say one of your lines is shorted.

The only way to completely confirm this is to disconnect your telephone lines at the FIOS box.  This would totally isolate your house wiring from the FIOS system for further testing.  I'm not sure if you have access to the FIOS box.  Otherwise you will have no option but to have the Verizon tech come out and do it.

Unless you know how to test your phone wiring with voltmeter and ohm-meter, or how to find shorts in the line yourself, you will still need a tech to do it for you.

Answer 2

If you pay monthly for the inside wire maintenance, I would demand they come out and look at. If not, it could be expensive. I would have them pro-rate you phone bill.  

Answer 3

Get a technician there.  It's not as simple as it sounds.