This topic

My phone number default to answerphone

Gary2024 — Wed, 13 May 2026 08:27:13 GMT

Hi,

Anyone phoning me just gets my answerphone. How do I get back to normal operation?

Re: My phone number default to answerphone

gg30340 — Wed, 13 May 2026 08:42:40 GMT

Does your phone ring when someone calls. If not you may have it on silent mode. Check the phones instructions to see how to deactivate it if it is on.

Re: My phone number default to answerphone

Gary2024 — Wed, 13 May 2026 10:13:32 GMT

Apparently I have digital voice. My phone is connected to the adapter via wifi. I works with the BT Smart Hub. However, it does not connect (via wifi) to my new TP-link VDSL2 modem. Every other device in my home links perfectly. Is this another example of BT locking services down to their customers?

I'll call TP Link to see if there is a solution other than change BB provider.

Re: My phone number default to answerphone

iniltous — Wed, 13 May 2026 10:45:47 GMT

BT DV adapters are not WiFi devices , they are DECT , same as any ordinary cordless home phone , all the adapter does is make a corded phone into a DECT handset so it connects to the built in DECT basestation within the BT hub , its intended audience is those that claim they have corded phones no where near the router so can’t simply move the cord from the wall socket to the router socket .

Changing BB providers won’t make your handsets connect to WiFi .

Try resetting the BT hub , and then with preferably a corded phone connected directly into the BT router phone port make an incoming call to see if the phone responds.

Its not clear if you have removed the BT router in favour of a third party device , but if you have then clearly you won’t have use of your BT supplied telephony, because that requires you to use the BT supplied router .

Re: My phone number default to answerphone

Gary2024 — Wed, 13 May 2026 11:00:45 GMT

I knew that. That explains the issue. Yes, I changed the BT Smart Hub for my new TP link VX1800. It has a small (RJ45?) phone socket in the back. plugging my phone into it did not provide a dial tone. The TP does have telephony service which I need to read up on. For the moment, the BT Smart Hub is back on and plugging an ordinary phone into the large phone socket in the back works fine.

Re: My phone number default to answerphone

gg30340 — Wed, 13 May 2026 11:58:20 GMT

BT Digital Voice only works with the BT Smarthub.

If you want to use another router you will still have to have the Smarthub connected and your "new" router connected to the Smarthub or the Digital Voice will not work.

There are many threads on the forum how to do that if you want to have your TPLink connected.

Re: My phone number default to answerphone

Gary2024 — Wed, 13 May 2026 13:24:20 GMT

Yes, I have seen those posts. Leave the SH as the first in line, then connect the SH and TP link via a WAN/LAN link. Now I bought the TP Link as it has superior performance (on BB) to the SH. If I link them as above, does that mean I loose all the benefits of the TP Link and are constrained back to the poor SH BB performance?

Re: My phone number default to answerphone

gg30340 — Wed, 13 May 2026 13:37:22 GMT

It could be argued "What superior performance".

It depends what you think is inferior on the SH2 and what you expect to find superior on your TP-Link.

Re: My phone number default to answerphone

Gary2024 — Wed, 13 May 2026 13:39:04 GMT

thanks for your support. I'll look for the answer else where

Re: My phone number default to answerphone

gg30340 — Wed, 13 May 2026 13:43:06 GMT

You are welcome!

Be sure to explain to who ever you seek out to answer your question exactly what you are not getting from the SH2 and what you are expecting from the TP-Link other wise they will have no idea whether one will be better than the other!

Re: My phone number default to answerphone

iniltous — Wed, 13 May 2026 15:50:03 GMT

If you connect your own router in tandem with the BT router as the first device , although not perfect it’s perfectly possible to have this arrangement working with no obvious issues , for WiFi devices your own router will broadcast a different SSID (network name) so if you feel the WiFi performance will be better on your own router just ensure your WiFi devices connect to the appropriate network name , if you bought this router thinking it will increase your performance on wired devices because it can sync at a higher speed (assuming you have FTTC ) , so are disappointed it can’t be the only ‘router’ used , and you still have to have the BT hub as the initial terminal point to maintain telephony , as pointed out don’t expect much of a noticeable difference with your own router to the BT one , because it won’t perform in that respect any differently to the BT router …you can easily see this yourself , check the router connection stats with only the TP link connected and then compare to when the BT hub is the only connected router …any difference will be fractional and totally unnoticeable in the real world .

Re: My phone number default to answerphone

chrisjp — Wed, 13 May 2026 16:01:54 GMT

"If I link them as above, does that mean I loose all the benefits of the TP Link and are constrained back to the poor SH BB performance?"

The "poor performance" of the BT SH2 only really relates to its WiFi 5 performance which is considered outdated because WiFi 6 and 7 now exist.
But the broadband performance of the SH2 (eg its speed) is pretty much equal to any other hub. So connecting the SH2 first and then using your TP Link router will not "loose its benefits" because the TP link router can supply your WiFi - and you can turn off the SH2 WiFi.
If you want a telephone service via BT's digital voice you must have the SH2 first in line - there is no alternative to this.
Of course, some other broadband providers can provide a telephone service via their own voice over internet protocols, but switching does carry this risk of losing your old telephone number, despite the assurances you'll get from the new provider that they can port your old number.