This topic

BT8500

stockdalecarina — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 19:19:43 GMT

During the last 24 hours my phone seems to have silenced my voice when I make a call. I can hear the other person but they cannot hear me. I have turned the volume up to full and I have checked that the mute setting has not been activated. I have called my own landline from my own mobile to check the mute is not accidentally switched on and it isn't. I have changed the batteries and put in new ones.

Up to yesterday all was well but today it's like this. Does anybody know what the problem is or who I can contact to advise me how to correct it. Thank you

Re: BT8500

Keith_Beddoe — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 19:23:09 GMT

@stockdalecarina Who provides your phone Service?

Re: BT8500

stockdalecarina — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 19:27:34 GMT

Re: BT8500

stockdalecarina — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 19:26:47 GMT

phone provider is BT

Re: BT8500

NeilO — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 19:29:32 GMT

Hi @stockdalecarina I'm sorry to see you're having problems with your phone. That type of problem could be caused by a line fault, to rule out the BT 8500 is it possible to check with another phone?

Thanks

Neil

Re: BT8500

stockdalecarina — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 19:38:47 GMT

The 8500 has a set of 4 handsets. Do you mean use another handset or switch them around. They are numbered 1 2 3 and 4. Does it matter which order they are placed in the units. ie, does number 1 handset have to be n the base unit

Re: BT8500

Keith_Beddoe — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 19:52:38 GMT

@stockdalecarina

What @NeilO means, is have you tried another make of phone, perhaps a basic wired phone?

If the volume problem affects all of the BT8500 handsets, and also affects another basic wired phone, the it could be caused by an exchange equipment fault.

Re: BT8500

NeilO — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 19:51:43 GMT

@stockdalecarina No sorry, I think you've misunderstood me. I didn't mean to try another of the BT 8500 handsets but to connect an alternative phone to the BT socket if possible. Out of interest do you get the same issue on all the BT 8500 handsets?

If you have the same problem on all the handsets, checking with a different phone will help us determine if it's a line issue or a problem with the BT 8500.

The type of issue you've mentioned could be caused by what's known as a one-way transmission line fault where you can hear the caller and they can't hear you.

Thanks

Neil

Re: BT8500

stockdalecarina — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 19:58:39 GMT

I don't have another phone. Do you mean I should buy another one to check this out.

Is there any way I can get BT to check my line to see if there are any faults on it

Re: BT8500

Keith_Beddoe — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 20:06:58 GMT

@stockdalecarina

Have you tried removing the power to the base unit, for about a minute, as one way transmission can also be caused if the communication between the base unit and the handset, gets out of sync.

If you wanted to prove whether its a BT fault, then you can get a basic wired phone for less than £10, which is also useful if you get a power cut.

To avoid a possible visit charge, you need to prove that the fault is also present on another type of phone.

A BT line test cannot detect this type of fault.

Re: BT8500

stockdalecarina — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 20:23:09 GMT

I've just disconnected the base unit for a couple of minutes and then re connected it. It's not made any difference.

Does the make of batteries make a difference. So long as I put in the same size does it matter. Are all AAA batteries the same.

Re: BT8500

Keith_Beddoe — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 20:27:55 GMT

@stockdalecarina wrote:

I've just disconnected the base unit for a couple of minutes and then re connected it. It's not made any difference.

Does the make of batteries make a difference. So long as I put in the same size does it matter. Are all AAA batteries the same.

The batteries will not cause this fault, which I assume is affecting all handsets, it that correct?

Re: BT8500

stockdalecarina — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 20:31:13 GMT

yes it has. I think I might have a couple of spare handsets somewhere. I'll try and find them and see if it still the same

Re: BT8500

Keith_Beddoe — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 20:36:09 GMT

@stockdalecarina wrote:

yes it has. I think I might have a couple of spare handsets somewhere. I'll try and find them and see if it still the same

You will need to try that first. If they do the same, then you need to report the fault to BT.

A faulty line card port in the exchange can cause this, and its quite straightforward for an Openreach exchange technician to move you line to a different piece of equipment.

The exchange equipment is quite old, and does cause faults like this.

Re: BT8500

stockdalecarina — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 20:48:32 GMT

what's the updated and most recent model that replaced the BT8500 and has 4 handsets

Re: BT8500

Keith_Beddoe — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 20:57:23 GMT

@stockdalecarina wrote:

what's the updated and most recent model that replaced the BT8500 and has 4 handsets

The BT4600 quad handsets. This also has larger buttons,

I would prove whether it is your existing handsets that are faulty, before buying any more. As I have said, an exchange fault is possible,

Re: BT8500

stockdalecarina — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 05:59:38 GMT

Thank you

Re: BT8500

stockdalecarina — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 11:50:45 GMT

I've now established that the problem is the base unit. As I have several spare BT8500 handsets as well as the 4 currently in use,, I've decided to get a new BT8500 base unit. Found 2 on E Bay that look in good condition and had little use, so bought them..

So my next questions are

1) How do I set up the new base unit and register it? It won't be as simple as unplugging one and connecting the other.

2) Will the stored numbers on the existing handsets stay and still be there when I put them on the new base. Do I need to make a paper list of names and numbers and then re input them.