What should I do if my modem gives me a "No dial tone" error?

If you receive a "No dial tone" error while using your modem, this means that your modem is not hearing a live phone line. There are several possible reasons that this might happen.

The most common reason 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. To test the wall jack, plug a phone into that jack and check to see if you have a dial tone. 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.

If you are sure that the cord and the wall jack are good, it may be that there is dust in the modem jack. You can use a can of compressed air to blow any dust out of the modem jack.

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.

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. To do this in Windows, click the Start button, then select Shut Down. In the resulting dialog box, select Shut down the computer or select Shut down and click OK. To do this in Mac OS, switch to the Finder and, from the Special menu, select Shut Down. In Mac OS X, from the Apple menu, select Shut Down... . Leave the computer off for at least 30 seconds, and then turn the computer back on.

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 the Knowledge Base document In Windows 95, 98, or Me, how do I reinstall a modem?

If your modem is under warranty, you can contact the manufacturer's technical support number for further assistance.

If you have an internal modem, and your modem and computer are no longer under warranty, you might try physically re-seating the modem. This step is for advanced users only! You shouldn't do this unless you are adept with computer hardware and your modem and computer are no longer under warranty.

Again, if you are adept at computer hardware and your computer and modem are no longer under warranty, you could also try using a different slot. When your modem is properly reinstalled, restart the computer, reinstall the drivers (see the Knowledge Base document In Windows 95, 98, or Me, how do I reinstall a modem?), and 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.

Also see:

• At IUB, what should I do if I'm having problems using my modem with my office telephone?
• Can a phone plugged into the line hinder my modem?
• What should I do if I am experiencing problems when I make a modem connection?
• In Windows 95, 98, or Me, how do I reinstall a modem?
• In Windows 95 or 98, how can I prevent my software modem from disconnecting unexpectedly?