Incoming Landline Calls

[SuzanneW]

My landline only rings once on incoming calls, and then cuts off.  I've tried plugging in another phone but the same problem occurs.  Any ideas would be appreciated.  Thank you.

[imjolly]

Are you  on BT digital voice?  Is it possible the calls are going to answer machine after 1 ring?

[SuzanneW]

Hi.  No, I'm not on BT Digital Voice.  A caller told me that the phone rang once, there was a bit of a crackle, and then it cut off.  Did not switch to answerphone.

[Keith_Beddoe · Accepted solution]

@SuzanneW 

You have a line fault which is tripping the ring current. You need to report this to BT.

You will probably find that if you pick up the phone after the first ring, you would be able to hear the caller, but the line will be noisy.

Another possibility is an exchange equipment fault, but the cracking on the line would make that less likely.

[SuzanneW]

Thanks Keith.  That's very helpful.

[Devon_Dave]

Make you have tried the phone in the test point of your main telephone socket. This also will discount any wiring or equipment in your premises that could also be causing the problem. 

[SuzanneW]

Hi Dave.  Thanks for your reply. I did think of this, but there is no test socket behind the front cover - only the main socket.  I have reported the fault to BT. Also, when calling the landline, I got a message stating "you have dialled an incorrect number".  

[Devon_Dave]

• OK, Assume you have no other socket and that the back of the socket looks like this

   

[SuzanneW]

Similar but not quite the same.  BT have now fixed the problem, but they didn't give any explanation as to what caused it.  Thanks for your help.