If your phone system were to stop working suddenly, how would it affect your business? For many organizations, it would lead to a chain of events that would not only halt operations but also could create a situation where customers are negatively affected. This would be a disaster because it would damage your company’s reputation, which you’ve likely been building for a long time.
It should go without saying that no business can afford a prolonged phone outage. That’s why learning how to troubleshoot your phone line or equipment is so important. This blog will focus on what you need to do to ensure that your workplace phone system never experiences costly downtime.
Phone Troubleshooting 101
Murphy’s Law is an old adage that states, “anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” This is true for every piece of technology in your office, including your phone system. Knowing what to do when the time comes can go a long way toward helping you get your company back on track.
The first step to fixing a phone problem is to determine whether the issue is external or internal.
External or Internal?
Whether the source of the problem is external or internal will determine how you’ll need to approach a fix. Normally, it’s your phone provider’s responsibility to resolve external business phone system issues. So if that’s what’s happening, all you really need to do is get in contact with your provider. On the other hand, if the issue is internal, it will likely be your responsibility to handle the problem.
One way to tell the difference between external and internal issues is if every phone in the office is affected by connectivity troubles. This can include a lack of a dial tone, dropped calls, weird noises, or static. If this is the case, then the issue is more likely to be external. If only a few phones are experiencing technical difficulties, then the problem is probably internal, and you’ll need to call a technician or have your IT department look into the matter.
Testing the External Connection
In order to test your external connection, you’ll need to go to your network interface device (NID). This gray box is responsible for connecting your inside wiring to your provider’s network, which allows for access to a dial tone. It’s usually located on a wall outside of the office or in the basement.
All you need to do is:
- Unplug one of the phone lines.
- Plug a working phone into the empty jack.
- Attempt to make a call.
If you’re successful in making your call, it means that line is working. You’ll need to continue testing each line to find out which lines are functional. If a line doesn’t work, that means the problem is external and you can call your phone provider for assistance. It should go without saying that no business can afford a prolonged phone outage.
What if Only One Phone isn’t Working?
If only one phone seems to be having difficulties, then the answer may be the hardware itself. To test this this hypothesis, you can unplug the phone in question and replace it with a phone that you know works. If the replacement works, that means the other device is faulty and can be replaced. However, if the new phone doesn’t work, the next step is to test the cord.
Remove the old cord and insert a new one into the new phone. If the new phone still isn’t working, the problem may be the jack. If replacing the jack doesn’t work, that means the phone line is the likely culprit.
Avoid Phone Outages with Stability Networks
Are you tired of dealing with outages? Let the experts at Stability Networks help. We offer a selection of industry-leading business phone solutions including on-premises phones, hybrid phones, and cloud phones. In addition, we offer a variety of phone models for your choosing.
Each solution we offer is tailored to meet the specific needs of your business. As your partner, we’ll ensure that any disruptions in your service are dealt with quickly and efficiently so downtime is minimal. Learn how Stability Networks can maintain your phone system so you never have to troubleshoot your phone again.
