Fault with my BT Line?

[MadGamer]

Hey all,

So today the broadband has been dropping out on occasions, so as a test I picked up the phone and tried to dial 1470 to perform a quiet line test, but there is a lot of crackling on the line, so this wasn't possible. I connected the main base station to the master socket and still the same result. So I phone BT from my mobile using there mobile friendly number, ask them to perform a line test, and it comes back clear???? Very odd I thought considering it's been fine up until today. Any ideas on what I should do now?

[jb66]

Same thing happened to me, the fault checker cant really check many faults, if its cracking when you plug into the test socket then you have a fault

[MadGamer]

So what does the fault checker actually do? Does it perform like a ping type test?

First off, the quiet line test is on 17070. Dial it and choose option 2. If there is an audible crackle when you perform this test from a hard-wired phone direct into the master socket, then there is a problem, quite regardless of whether BT's remote testing picks anything up. The remote test is limited in capability, especially on longer lines.

If you are confident the problem is not with your internal wiring then you should go ahead and book a tech visit. They will go through all the standard script about charging you for fixing faults that your internal wiring etc but so long as you're sure the problem is outside your house you will be fine.

[jb66]

I have no idea what then remote test bt and virgin can do, Id like to know.

[Stephen]

Also to really rule out any wiring issues, remove the faceplate from the master socket and there is a test socket behind it. Try your phone in that and see if the crackle is still there.

Also get an analogue wired handset and try that instead of a wireless phone. See if that is clear or not.

[MadGamer]

Called them up again, and they have miraculously found a fault between the street cab and the exchange. However if an engineer has to visit, and finds a fault inside the house it will cost £129.99, but as its outside, then I won't worry too much at this stage

[pip08456]

As Stephen has stated use the test socket after removing the lower half of the master socket.

Also check that no extentions work with the lower half removed.

Having done the above then you have no internal problem.

[Stephen]

If they are saying its between the cab and exchange then its not likely to be internal but still try what I suggested to make sure.

Most common reason for that fault is a dis in network or damaged d or e side.

[MadGamer]

The fault is now fixed. There must have been something wrong at the cab end, but also the connectors had corroded at the top of the telegraph pole, so they replaced those as well

[Stephen]

Glad you got it sorted MG.

[vm_tech]

With VM I believe remote testing can check it only at the switch. Although if there is a fault with the transmission kit from headend to cabinet, this is normally raised as a switch port(s) outage.