My phone is malfunctionning. The word "SEARCHING" is flashing on my handset. Nothing I do restores normal use. I have switched off the power, taken out the batteries, pressed many buttons. Can you help?

check instructions for "pair" ...you may need to pair them before it sees the handset . there will be a button on the base and one on the handset ?

YOU SHOULD HARD RESET THE UNIT

When restoring factory settings:
u Handsets are de-registered
- When resetting via the menu:
all Gigaset handsets
- When resetting using the key on the
base station: also all handsets of
other GAP capable devices
u Individual settings are reset
u All lists are deleted
u The system PIN is reset to the original
code 0000
u Eco Mode+ is deactivated
Only the date and time are retained.
Resetting the base station via the
menu
₪ Settings ₪ Base ₪ Base Reset
§Menu§
§OK§
Press the display key to confirm
SIEMENS Gigaset C380 User Giude Restoring The Base Station To The Factory...

You may need to register your handset to the base.
Normally ,there is a advanced setting ,register handset. At the same time, press and hold "page" key on your base 4 to 5 second , there is be a registation success tone from handset. You can register all of your handset ,one by one. Some model need to input register code, normally ,it is 1234 , or 0000.

Presumably you have 'registered' the handset to the base station - a bit fiddly, but easy enough! If you haven't a handbook, there is one here
http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/c/cd2454b_05/cd2454b_05_dfu_eng.pdf
Good luck
Jim

how long since the handset battery was replaced anything over 12 monts may be a battery problem

Unplugged all telephones but one and still had trouble so I called Verizon. They discovered it was an incoming line that was malfunctioning. However, the Uniden telephone system still does not work and since it is still under warranty I will contact them.
To continue the solution of my telephone problem - It was discovered that the incoming line was indis repair. After it was repaired, I again set up my Uniden telephone system. It works with no problem. The word "searching"still appears on the face of the units, but it can be overcome with normal activity on the units.

1. try to reset handset. try sw reset in the manual .
2. try to clear the base. unplug power cord, press and hold "page " key , and plug the power cord , after 5 to 6 second release page key.
3. Register again.
4. If there is still searching , open the base and handset, to check ,if the antenna is broken or not.

Hello, Yes this happens when you add a additional handset to the system when all the intercom numbers are full. When registering a new handset, it "kicks out" on of the other handsets when it registers. The only way to correct that problem is to default your base and register each handset again, one by one. You won't lose your handset settings, but you will lose your messages and greetings, so check them before doing so. To default your unit, get all your handsets and go to your base. Unplug the power from your base. Hold down the page/registration key on the bottom of the base and keep it held down while you apply power to the base. After applying power, keeping the button down, count to 20. Then release the button and get each handset. Register each handset, and they will number themselves 1 through 4. If you need additional assistance, service or need to purchase another handset or base (you can register each handset to up to four bases to increase your range, this is unique feature in the cordless industry), you can go to www.cordlessrepair.com for all your Siemens cordless needs. Good Luck ! Let us know how it goes, we have a testimonial page on the website for people to leave comments on the technical tips or assistance they receive from our technicians.

Did you already try cleaning the connections on the phone and the base with alcohol on a Q-tip? Make sure the connections on the phone are touching the base propely.

My long-term experience with these phones is that occasionally, they get themselves into some kind of weird state: this is usually indicated by the flashing "searching" message.

In all cases it's been cured by unplugging the power supply AND the phone-line (both simultaneously) from the base, waiting a few seconds, then re-connecting. Normally this sorts things out, but will require you to re-set time& date (the base can sometimes still derive power from the incoming 50v line). Batteries out of handsets is a last (addtional) resort. I've very rarely had to re-register.