<!-- from fixya rte -->How to fix phone line problem - Computers & Internet

1. Check your connection. Make sure your phone is connected to the phone line.
2. Change phones. Plug a corded phone into the phone line where you are experiencing problems. If the problem is resolved, the problem might be your phone, not the line; if it's a portable phone, it could have a signal problem. Make sure to change phone cords along with the phone to rule out problems with a phone cord.
3.Disconnect all extra phone equipment that plugs into your phone line, including modems, fax machines and additional phones. Leave only one corded phone plugged into your phone line. If the problem still occurs, plug your phone into every phone jack in your home to verify the problem is throughout your home and not isolated to one outlet. If your problem was resolved by unplugging devices, attach each device, one by one, to see if the problem returns. If it returns when you plug in one device, you know your problem is with the device.