topic Possible Openreach MK2 fault in Home Phone

Possible Openreach MK2 fault

AJK — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 16:39:12 GMT

Hi,

Today we've found out that incoming calls were terminating so not ringing our phones, but outgoing calls worked fine and so did the internet, so I took the faceplate off and tried the master socket. That worked fine with all calls working. Is this likely to just require a replacement of the MK2 faceplate?

I've attached pics to show the wiring.

Thanks for any advice.

Re: Possible Openreach MK2 fault

ClaudiaG23 — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 12:47:54 GMT

Hi @AJK this is exactly right, you've done the correct tests and it seems the face plate is faulty as you've tested it directly in the test socket.

You can pick a new face plate up from most local DIY shops.

Re: Possible Openreach MK2 fault

2u2me — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 14:25:33 GMT

Looking at the image the fault could be on the extension wired into the faceplate, you need to disconnect it before forking out on a new faceplate.

Re: Possible Openreach MK2 fault

AJK — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 07:33:33 GMT

Thanks for that. 🙂

Re: Possible Openreach MK2 fault

AJK — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 08:26:31 GMT

Thanks for suggestion. I did consider the extension but it is an unused extension which is connected to an empty socket and has been left in place with a corded phone nearby in case of power cuts. The wiring hasn't been touched for years so I'm not sure how the extension can suddenly start blocking incoming calls.

I use an extension with a cordless phone connected, and that extension is what's normally plugged into the front socket on the openreach box. Now that only works properly when plugged into the master socket.

I originally thought that the faceplate is just the bit that I have hanging down in the images, I now realise the faceplate is really the whole front including the broadband socket where the filtering takes place. I've bypassed the problem by leaving the box as shown in the images so the phone and broadband is working correctly, so surely the problem is just with the lower part of the faceplate and possibly the unused extension wiring like you suggest.

If I just disconnect the wires like you suggest and maybe tape the loose wires up to ensure nothing connects when I put it all back together that should make it clear where the problem lies. Am I right?

Thanks for your help.

Re: Possible Openreach MK2 fault

2u2me — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 22:46:18 GMT

Yes

Re: Possible Openreach MK2 fault

Baldrick1 — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 07:04:00 GMT

@AJK

There should have been a dangly filter in the box with your hub. Try plugging that into the test socket and use the outputs to connect the hub and the working phone extension. That will prove whether it's an external problem.

It might seem too obvious but the fault is still present if you swap the cordless phone for the wired one?

Re: Possible Openreach MK2 fault

AJK — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 09:19:16 GMT

I just disconnected the extension wires and that does indeed seem to have fixed the problem, everything works with the openreach box screwed back together. The wiring hasn't been touched for years and the extension has only occasionally been used, so lord knows why that suddenly happened. The line does sound a little clearer now.

Thanks for your help.

Re: Possible Openreach MK2 fault

2u2me — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 09:25:21 GMT

Glad it worked, saved a little bit of cash👍