"No dial tone" errors
If you receive a "No dial tone" error while using your modem, this means that your modem is not hearing a live phone line. This error may occur for various reasons:
-
Incorrect phone cord set up: The most common
reason for this error is that the phone cord connecting your modem to
the wall jack is plugged into the wrong jack on the modem. To check
this, look at the back of your modem (if it's external) or at the back
of the computer (if the modem is internal) for a slot or pair of slots
that a phone cord fits into. If there are two jacks that the cord can
fit into, try the other one. The correct jack is usually labeled
"line", "in", or "telco". The other jack is usually labeled "phone"
or "out". (The jack labeled "phone" or "out" is the one to plug your
phone into if your computer and your phone share a phone jack.)
It's also a good idea to make sure that the phone cord is plugged in securely from the modem to the wall jack. If the cord is plugged in correctly and securely from the wall to the modem, and you are still getting no dial tone, then the wall jack may not be live or the phone cord may be bad.
-
Faulty wall jack: To test the wall jack, plug a
phone into that jack and check to see if you have a dial tone.
-
Faulty phone cord: To test the cord, swap it with
a cord you are using with a working phone. You can get a replacement
phone cord for less than $10 at an electronics store or any store that
sells phones or computer supplies.
-
Busy phone line: Another common cause of this
error is that the phone line is currently in use and the computer
cannot dial out.
-
Dust: If you are sure that the cord and the wall
jack are set up correctly, there may be dust in the modem jack. You
can use a can of compressed air to blow any dust out of the modem
jack.
-
Data cable unplugged: If you have an external
modem, check to make sure that the modem data cable is plugged
securely into both the modem and the computer.
-
Power cycle needed: You may need to cycle the
modem power off and then back on. If it's an external modem, just
turn the modem off and then on again. If your modem is internal, you
will need to shut your computer off completely. Leave the computer off
for at least 30 seconds, and then turn the computer back on.
-
Corrupted modem driver software: If none of the
above suggestions work, you can try reinstalling the modem driver
software. Make sure you have the modem's installation disks and, for
Windows, the Windows CD; see Reinstalling a modem in Windows 95, 98, or Me
If your modem is under warranty, you can contact the manufacturer's technical support number for further assistance.
Modem troubleshooting for advanced users
The following troubleshooting techniques are intended for advanced users only. You shouldn't try these unless you are adept with computer hardware and your modem and computer are no longer under warranty.
-
Reseat the modem: If you have an internal modem,
you might try physically reseating (removing and replacing) the modem.
- Use a different slot: Try putting the modem in a different PCI slot. When your modem is properly reinstalled, restart the computer, reinstall the drivers (see Reinstalling a modem in Windows 95, 98, or Me), and then try dialing again.
If you still receive the error message "No dial tone", your modem is probably damaged. Modems are very susceptible to damage from electrical power surges caused by storms or bad wiring in your building. If your modem is damaged, you can take it to a computer hardware repair shop, but it is usually less expensive to buy a new modem.
Note: To help prevent modem damage, you can buy a special surge protector (power strip) that has a jack for your phone line. These are available from any computer supply store and start around $15. Some come with warranties that cover damage due to power surges.
