Venturer Electronics FAQs

Why won’t my phone ring or work on one extension?

Why won’t my phone do anything?

Why won’t my phone ring at all?

How can I store numbers into memory on corded phones?

Why does my phone go “cheep” sometimes?

Why does my phone ring continuously?

Why won’t my phone release the line when I put it down?

Why can’t I hear or be heard properly on my phone?

Why can’t I enter numbers into automated services such as home banking?

Why won’t my Dect handset do or display anything?

Why wont my Dect handset do anything when I press any buttons?

Why can’t I make or receive calls when the main base is on one extension?

Why can’t I make or receive calls?

Why can’t my handset communicate with the base at all or without crackling?

How can I stop my main base from ringing so loudly?

How can I re register a handset?

Can I register my handset to another manufacturer’s base or vice versa?

Why won’t my phone ring or work on one extension?

There is no ring or power signal reaching the phone there.

Check: Does any other phone ring or work on that extension.
If it does, then the problem is simply a poor mechanical connection at that wall socket. To fix this:

1) Unplug the phone, undo the two screws holding the front on the wall socket and let the front come down.
2) Check that you have wires in connectors numbered 2, 3 and 5.
3) You will see four (possibly six) brass looking fingers that partly cover the hole where the phone plug goes. Bend these fingers down until they cover at least half of the width of the hole. You should bend the pins down with something that does not conduct electricity (e.g. plastic or wood) in case someone phones you whilst you are doing it and the ring signal could give you a painful electric shock.
4) Re screw the front of the socket on and re connect the phone. You will feel the difference in pressure when you plug the phone in again, and you will now have a good connection.

Remember that some phones only use two wires, whereas others need all three wires to be properly connected. So one phone ringing may not prove that all phones should ring on that extension.

If no phone rings or works on that extension, then try the mechanical connection fix above, and if needed, check the wires on that extension fully from end to end, see FAQ: How domestic phones are connected.

Why won’t my phone do anything?

The phone, the cords, the wall socket or the line isn’t working.

Check: Does the phone work in a neighbour’s house? Does either of the phone cords look damaged, especially at the ends? (Try wiggling the cords to see if it works then). Do any other phones work in the socket (you can borrow a phone from a neighbour for the test)?

If no phone works on the line get a friend or use a mobile to call your telephone provider (usually dial 150 or 151 from a land line).

If another phone works in the socket, but yours doesn’t, then the problem is in the cords, the wall socket, or the phone:
If the cords both look good, that is, not torn or frayed at both ends, then the cords are probably OK.
Since it only takes a couple of minutes to “repair” a possible socket connection problem, it is worth doing it anyway
To fix this:

1) Unplug the phone, undo the two screws holding the front on the wall socket and let the front come down.
2) Check that you have wires in connectors numbered 2, 3 and 5.
3) You will see four (possibly six) brass looking fingers that partly cover the hole where the phone plug goes. Bend these fingers down until they cover at least half of the width of the hole. You should bend the pins down with something that does not conduct electricity (e.g. plastic or wood) in case someone phones you whilst you are doing it and the ring signal could give you a painful electric shock.
4) Re screw the front of the socket on and re connect the phone. You will feel the difference in pressure when you plug the phone in again, and you will now have a good connection.

If none of the above has helped, and the phone does not work elsewhere, then you can assume the phone has a serious fault. Please call the Help line 0845 307 3850 to check, but as phones are so cheap nowadays, the phone is probably beyond economical repair.

Why won’t my phone ring at all?

The ringer is switched off, the cord is broken, there is no ring signal in your house, there is a socket problem, or the phone is broken.

Check: The ringer ON/OFF switch in both positions with an incoming call, sliding the switch from one position to the other may re make a poor connection.
Does the phone line cord look damaged, especially at either end? (Try wiggling the cord to see if it works then).

Does any other phone ring on any extension on your line? If no phone will ring anywhere on that line get a friend or use a mobile to call your telephone provider (usually dial 150 or 151 from a landline).
If a phone will ring somewhere in your house, then you have a socket or wiring problem to fix this:

1) Unplug the phone, undo the two screws holding the front on the wall socket and let the front come down.
2) Check that you have wires in connectors numbered 2, 3 and 5.
3) You will see four (possibly six) brass looking fingers that partly cover the hole where the phone plug goes. Bend these fingers down until they cover at least half of the width of the hole. You should bend the pins down with something that does not conduct electricity (e.g. plastic or wood) in case someone phones you whilst you are doing it and the ring signal could give you a painful electric shock.
4) Re screw the front of the socket on and re connect the phone. You will feel the difference in pressure when you plug the phone in again, and you will now have a good connection.

Remember that some phones only use two wires, whereas others need all three wires to be properly connected. So one phone ringing may not prove that all phones should ring on that extension.

If no phone rings on that extension, then check to wires on that extension fully from end to end, right back to the master (first) socket see FAQ: How domestic phones are connected.

How can I store numbers into memory on corded phones?

Using the STORE key!

Our telephones don’t all have the same electronics inside and so the exact process of storing numbers is not always the same. Generally this is what you do:
1) Pick up the handset and press the STORE button
2) Dial in the number you wish to store
3) Press the STORE button again to indicate that you have completed the number
4) Press the location where you want to store the number (i.e. 1, 2, …9, or 0)

Notes:
1) When storing a number the telephone does not actually dial the number at that time.
2) An automated voice may tell you that “The number you have dialled has not been recognised”. This is because your provider (e.g. BT) knows that you have picked up the phone and thinks there has been a problem – just ignore the voice and keep storing numbers.

If this process does not work on your phone, you will need to find out which model you have (usually a 3 or 4 digit number on the back of the phone) and check the instructions for that particular model.

Why does my phone go “cheep” sometimes?

There is a change in your line voltage, like the start of a ring signal.

Your line is powered by about 50VDC when it is not in use. When it is in use the voltage drops to about 10V. This means that when some one picks up, and actually even more so when someone puts down another phone on your line, there is a sudden change in voltage on your line. Also, during routine line testing, BT reverse the polarity of your line, this has the same effect of creating a sudden change in voltage.

The ringer circuit of some telephones will see these changes as if they were the start of a ring signal, and so they start to ring or “cheep”.
There is no way to stop telephones that see these changes as ring signals from cheeping, apart from turning off the ringer.
If you get selected for a period of BT line testing, this will also cause cheeping on your phone – usually during the night time!
Please note, that you can phone BT on 150 and ask to be removed from routine line testing.
Please note:
1) Someone may try to sell you Telephone line filters, but that will not stop this cheeping!
2) Not all telephones are sensitive to this problem, and so some will never cheep

Why does my phone ring continuously?

There is DC voltage on the ringer circuit.

When a phone line is not in use there should be about 50VDC across the power circuit, and 0V on the ringer circuit.
Sometimes a device connected to your line can “leak” voltage on to the ringer circuit, some telephones will see this as a continuous ring signal, and make a horrible continuous noise.

Check: Remove every device connected to your phone line except the phone that was ringing continuously, if the ringing stops, put the devices back one at a time and see which one causes the problem. If the ringing does not stop, the fault is either in that telephone or your master socket. Try the ringing telephone on a neighbour’s line, if it is OK there, then call your telephone provider (usually dial 150 or 151). Tell them that there is a short circuit on to the ringer pin.
The master socket is the most likely cause of the problem as this will usually be the oldest part in your system.

Why won’t my phone release the line when I put it down?

The hook switch or its transistors are faulty.

The telephone ring system uses around 100V, and so the hook switch doesn’t directly turn the telephone on and off, instead it operates some high voltage transistors. Sometimes these break down and fail to operate.

Check: That the phone is set properly in its cradle. Neither the hook switch nor transistors can be user repaired. For a simple phone, it would be cheaper to replace it than send it back for repair.

Why can’t I hear or be heard properly on my phone?

The phone or its microphone or earpiece speaker is faulty.

Check:
If the caller can hear you, but you can’t hear them, then it is probably only the earpiece speaker that has failed. This can be replaced.
If you can hear the caller, but they can’t hear you, then it is probably only the microphone that has failed. This can be replaced.
If there is a strong buzzing noise like mains hum whenever you call anyone, then either your phone is very close to some other piece of electrical equipment and should be moved at least a hand’s length away, or the microphone earth shield has partially detached. This can be replaced.

Why can’t I enter numbers into automated services such as home banking?

You are using Pulse dialling or the gain of your line may need adjusting.

Check: That you are dialling in tone not pulse mode. No UK phone line needs pulse dialling any more, so if you have a phone that can do either, switch it to tone!
Note: When pulse dialling you will hear a series of clicks, whereas with tone you’ll hear a series of tones.

If you can tone dial normally but not use automated services, then the “transmission gain” of your line is probably too low, so call your telephone provider (usually dial 150 or 151) and ask them to increase it.
Note: If you have been getting low speed internet connections from a 56k modem, increasing the gain will help that too!

Why won’t my Dect handset do or display anything?

The handset is not receiving power from the base, the batteries are defective or the handset is defective.

Please note: When you first start to charge up a handset in the base, it may take several minutes for anything to display. This is because the batteries only get a small trickle charge until their voltage comes up to operating level and the charge controller begins to work.

Check the handset using the main base. If the handset does nothing after 15 minutes in the base, then there is a problem. Check the base to see if the PAGE light comes on when you put a handset in it. If it does light, then power is getting to the handset, either the batteries are faulty or the handset is. Remove the batteries (or battery pack) and try the handset without the batteries, if it works now, then you need new batteries (750mAH for AAA batteries or 550mAH for the battery pack), if it doesn’t the handset has a serious fault.

If the PAGE light does not come on then when the handset is in, check to see if it flashes when you tap the PAGE light (for 2002T tap the button in front). If it still doesn’t light then either there is no power to the base or the base is faulty. Check that your mains socket is switched on, and that the AC adaptor is warm (has power) and that its lead is not damaged.

If the PAGE light will flash when pressed but not when the handset is in place, check the base by BREIFLY touching both charging pins with a pair of scissors or other conductor. If the PAGE light comes on then the handset is faulty, if it doesn’t, then the base is faulty. If you have model 2002T also check the AC adaptor lead, as this model has a separate power circuit to charge the handset.

If you have model 2002T, check that your batteries are correctly inserted – tab facing down on the outer two, and tab up on the middle one.

If you have more than one handset, then you may should try swapping handsets on the bases, and also swapping batteries in the handsets, as this may clarify your fault.

Why wont my Dect handset do anything when I press any buttons?

The processor has jammed, one of the keys is stuck down, or the handset has lost contact with its main base station.

If the handset still shows H1 or H2 on the display, then it is still on contact with its base. Check all the handset buttons to make sure that one is not stuck down. If it is stuck, you can wiggle it free with a small screwdriver. If all the buttons are free, try to reset the handset by removing the batteries for a couple of seconds, when you reconnect the batteries it should be OK again. If this power reset does not fix it, the handset has a serious problem.

If the handset shows SEARCHING, NO SERVICE or H? in the display, then it is not working because its radio has lost contact with the main base station. You should re register the handset.

Why can’t I make or receive calls when the main base is on one extension?

There is no ring or power signal reaching the phone there.

Check: Does any other phone ring or work on that extension.
If it does, then the problem is simply a poor mechanical connection at that wall socket. To fix this:

1. Unplug the phone, undo the two screws holding the front on the wall socket and let the front come down.
2. Check that you have wires in connectors numbered 2, 3 and 5.
3. You will see four (possibly six) brass looking fingers that partly cover the hole where the phone plug goes. Bend these fingers down until they cover at least half of the width of the hole. You should bend the pins down with something that does not conduct electricity (e.g. plastic or wood) in case someone phones you whilst you are doing it and the ring signal could give you a painful electric shock.
4. Re screw the front of the socket on and re connect the phone. You will feel the difference in pressure when you plug the phone in again, and you will now have a good connection.

If no phone rings or works on that extension, then try the mechanical connection fix above anyway, and if needed, check the wires on that extension fully from end to end, see How domestic phones are connected.

Why can’t I make or receive calls?

The handset, the main base station, the line cord, the wall socket, the telephone line or the mains isn’t working.

Check if the main base station PAGE light flashes when a call comes (use a mobile or get a friend to call at a set time). If the PAGE light flashes but the handset doesn’t ring or display ANSWER?, then the radio link from the main base to the handset has failed. You should re register the handset.

If the PAGE light doesn’t flash when a call comes, check to see if it flashes when you tap the PAGE light (for 2002T tap the button in front). If it still doesn’t light then either there is no power to the base or the base is faulty. Check that your mains socket is on, and that the AC adaptor lead is not damaged. Check that you are using the correct line cord – Venturer Dect phones use a two wire line transparent / grey line cord, not the older 3 wire type, also check that this cord is not damaged, especially at either end. Check whether any other phone works in that socket. If it does, then the problem is simply a poor mechanical connection at that wall socket. To fix this:

1. Unplug the phone, undo the two screws holding the front on the wall socket and let the front come down.
2. Check that you have wires in connectors numbered 2, 3 and 5.
3. You will see four (possibly six) brass looking fingers that partly cover the hole where the phone plug goes. Bend these fingers down until they cover at least half of the width of the hole. You should bend the pins down with something that does not conduct electricity (e.g. plastic or wood) in case someone phones you whilst you are doing it and the ring signal could give you a painful electric shock.
4. Re screw the front of the socket on and re connect the phone. You will feel the difference in pressure when you plug the phone in again, and you will now have a good connection.

If no other phone works on your line (you can borrow a neighbour’s phone to test), then either your socket connection or wiring is faulty, or the line if faulty. Try the mechanical connection fix above, and if needed, check the wires on that extension fully from end to end, see How domestic phones are connected.

Why can’t my handset communicate with the base at all or without crackling?

It could be out of range, either the base or handset radio has changed frequency slightly (or completely failed), or the batteries are failing.

The range at which the handset will work is affected by you house construction. Metal and bricks reflect the radio waves quite well and can make a phone appear out of range. If the out of range icon (bottom left of display) is flashing, move closer to the base and see if it recovers. If it does not, then you either have a battery problem or you should re register the handset.

Check the battery icon on the display, if the icon shows 3 bars when on charge, but quickly (within minutes of starting a call) drops down to 1 bar, then the battery is failing and should be replaced. Be careful to get batteries with at least the same capacity as originally (750mAH for AAA batteries or 550mAH for the battery pack). If the battery is holding charge, then you should re register the handset.

How can I stop my main base from ringing so loudly?

The base stations that were designed to ring do not have an adjustable ring volume, however you can easily reduce the ring volume to about half!
Turn the base upside down and you will see a block of 5 small holes near the middle of the base. Cover these holes with sticky tape and the ring volume will be much lower.

How can I re register a handset?

Minidect handset procedure is:
1) Ensure that the handset has been charged for at least 30 minutes to get some power in battery.
2) Remove any handset from main base station so that PAGE light is off.
3) *Press and hold PAGE key firmly for about 7 seconds. After 6 seconds PAGE light will give a burst of flashes. When this stops release the PAGE key. The base is now in registration mode for 5 minutes.
4) On the handset, if it displays SEARCHING, press the NO (top right) key and then press /\ 3 times until handset displays BASE.
• If the handset displays H?, then just press /\ 3 times until the handset displays BASE.
5) At BASE press YES (top left) key, the handset will display CHOOSE
6) At CHOOSE press \/, the handset will display REGISTER
7) At REGISTER press YES, the handset will display ENTER PIN
8) Press 4321, then YES, the handset will display 2nd or 3rd base.
9) Press YES and the handset will search for the base.
10) The handset should then display H1, or H2 etc. in less than 30 seconds, if not, there is a serious radio problem.

• If you release the PAGE button before flashing stops, then the base will not be in registration mode.
• If you keep hold of the PAGE button until the second burst of flashes stops, then the base will delete current handsets!

DCT 2002T procedure:

This is the same as Mini Dect except:
1) Please note the Page key on the main base is in front of the PAGE light
2) Item 4) above should read:
On the new handset, if it displays SEARCHING, press the NO (top right) key. Press “P” key, and then press /\ twice until handset displays BASE.
- If the handset displays H?, then just press “P” key and /\ twice until the handset displays BASE.

Can I register my handset to another manufacturer’s base or vice versa?

It is possible to register one manufacturers handset to another manufacturers base as long as both units are GAP (Generic Access Profile) compliant.
Beware though, as only speech is guaranteed when you do this, other functions, like Caller Line Identification and call transfer will probably not work.

To register a handset to a “foreign” base:
1) Follow the Base manufacturer’s instructions to put it into registration mode.
2) Follow the handset manufacturer’s instructions to put it into Advance Registration mode. This mode will require you to enter the AC (Authorisation Code ) of the base. Venturer’s AC is 4321, other common numbers are 0000, 1111 and 9999.

Note that some manufacturer’s bases only remain in registration mode for 30 seconds, in which case you should do the handset before the base!