It can be a real nightmare when your business’s phone stops working ­– particularly in today’s world where you likely rely on it to connect with customers, colleagues and other stakeholders. We’ve all been here: rummaging around in wires connected to who-knows-what, dialling and testing, plugging and unplugging, all for nothing to make any difference. Begrudgingly, you head to social media to announce, ‘our phoneline is down, sorry for any inconvenience’, as you wonder how you will get your business back to normal again.

A faulty landline can be for a number of reasons and identifying the issue can take some time. But this blog should give you a helping hand, and offer some solutions too…

Cordless phone

If your business uses a cordless phone, it’s worth checking the batteries don’t need replacing. It’s an obvious cause, yet very easy to overlook! Alternatively, you could have a bad charging connection. Try cleaning the battery contacts with a dry cloth and see if this resolves the issue.

On the hook

Have a quick check that all of your phones are on the hook. If somebody hasn’t hung their phone up properly on their work desk, this could be the problem stopping all of you from taking any calls.

All plugged in

Make sure all phones are plugged in properly and securely connected to any cords. You should also check cords for signs of wear and tear.

Rules others out

It might be worth trying an isolation test in order to rule out other equipment causing the problem. Disconnect everything plugged into to your wall outlet, such as modems or printers. Wait 5 minutes before reconnecting your phone. Does it work? If so, it’s probably another device causing the issue. By connecting one item at a time, you can identify which is the culprit.

Try elsewhere

Another easy hack: take your phone home with you and trying plugging it in there. Does it work? Can you hear a dial tone and make calls on it? If no, your phone equipment is causing the problem. Time to get a new one. If the phone works fine, the problem is elsewhere.

Report your problem

If you’re still scratching your head trying to find the problem, it’s time to let your telephone supplier know. They might inform you of an outage, or arrange for a technician to come in and take a look.

Dealing with your telephone supplier can be a stressful process. We know you’re probably desperate to get your business running smoothly again, and not knowing the root of the problem can feel overwhelming. That’s why the Equations team always strive for the smoothest, highest quality care when it comes to phone maintenance. We do this by:

• Understanding our client’s systems extensively
• Continuous learning. All of our team members have passed the manufacturer examinations for each of the systems we use, plus further training.
• Connecting our clients with the same Account Manager and Lead Consultant whenever possible. Rather than passing you from pillar to post, your support team will build a thorough understanding of you, your system, and your needs.
• Staying on top of any new developments so that we can prepare our clients for them. For example, are you ready for the 2025 telephone switchover?

An upgrade

If your phones are in dire need of a replacement, this is a great opportunity to think about what system would work best for your business.

Rather than installing new phonelines, a cheaper alternative would be using VoIP. This involves taking calls over the internet rather than using a traditional landline. It’s much better quality and could save you a lot of phone maintenance in the future. You can find out more about how VoIP works and why you should use it here.

Alternatively, a Leased Line could be exactly what you’re after. A Leased Line will connect to your business exclusively, meaning you can always expect a super speedy service. Find out more here.

Get in touch

If you need help choosing the best option for your business, get in touch with our team on 01237 420010.