Line disconnecting every 2-3 minutes? TD-W9970 router

[shawrangutan]

Hey all,

Internet was working fine then suddenly around 15:30 or so the line died, and has been going online then offline every 2-3 minutes since then. Is this an issue on our end, or at BTs? We live in Limehouse, London.

The router we are using is  a TD-W9970 if that helps. Happy to provide whatever information you need - here's a screenshot from the Debug menu in statistics, though I don't know what any of this means haha.

[Keith_Beddoe]

Filter the log type to show system, and it will make more sense. That will show any DSL disconnects.

[shawrangutan]

Here it is:

[Keith_Beddoe]

Your line is disconnecting.

Is there any noise on your phone calls? Dial 17070 and select option 2, there should be no noise between the announcements.

[shawrangutan]

Unfortunately we don't have a landline here (rented property) so that's not something I can test I guess?

[Keith_Beddoe]

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@shawrangutan wrote:

Unfortunately we don't have a landline here (rented property) so that's not something I can test I guess?

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There must be a landline, otherwise there would be nowhere to plug in the router. Where is it plugged in?

The problem is either a disconnected line or a noisy line, so you will need to plug in a phone to test this, there is no other way.

[shawrangutan]

Sorry, I meant we have a landline port, but not an actual phone to plug into it to test it.

Haven't had a disconnect in 15 minutes, perhaps it's resolved itself...? Is that possible?

[Keith_Beddoe]

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@shawrangutan wrote:

Sorry, I meant we have a landline port, but not an actual phone to plug into it to test it.

Haven't had a disconnect in 15 minutes, perhaps it's resolved itself...? Is that possible?

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It may be worth getting hold of a cheap wired phone (£10) or less, so if the problem comes back, you can check the line.

It could have been someone working on the line, perhaps testing cable pairs to prove another fault.

[gspearson]

Lots of people seem to have trouble if they don't keep a phone connected to thelandline - drawing a continual current.  It ought to be on a checklist somewhere.  I assume there is no BT broadband only account so why not have a phone - it would, in effect,  be free? I don't find mobiles at all convenient for making calls so I don't give out that number.

[Keith_Beddoe]

A phone plugged in, does not actually draw any current, but occasional picking up of the phone, can help to clear high resistance connections, just  as ringing the phone can also help.