Is Your Ooma Phone Not Working? (Best Methods to Fix!)

Ooma phone not working and you’re wondering why. Well, we have found a working solution!

Your VoIP Ooma phone uses standard RJ connection technology to establish a “closed” local connection with your network and manage your calls.

An unstable service connection, improper activation, or issues with your Ooma Telo or network device may result in issues with the phone.

So, let’s take a look at the solution:

If the Ooma phone isn’t working, reconnect it from the Telo, wire the jacks properly, and power cycle your base.

If the issue persists, replace the RJ cable and perform a factory reset on the Ooma Telo.

There’s more so let’s get started!

Why is My Ooma Not Working While Connected to Power?

Here’s what can potentially cause Ooma’s power or service to malfunction:

How to Activate an Ooma Phone Device?

Before troubleshooting any of Ooma’s components, the first step is to verify that the cordless handset or landline phone has been activated.

Unlike other handsets, Ooma has a little more specific activation instructions that will enable your phone’s ability to send and receive calls.

Here’s how to activate the Ooma phone during a first-time setup:

1. Ensure the Ooma phone’s supplying cable is connected.
2. Install the RJ service cable into the Ooma phone’s socket.
3. Next, lift the handset from the phone’s base and then wait.
4. Plug the other end of the RJ wire into your Ooma Telo unit.
5. Wait for the voice activation prompt produced by the Ooma.

Note: The voice activation message contains instructions to finalize Ooma’s activation!

Ooma Phone Not Working – Quick & Working Solutions

Quick Tip: Follow the solutions consecutively!

1. Power Cycle the Ooma Phone Base

The Ooma phone may have encountered temporal issues due to insufficient power supply or disrupted handset connection.

You can restore Ooma’s functionality by conducting a power circulation of the device hardware, achieved after suspending the phone’s A/C power supply.

Follow these instructions to perform a power cycle on your Ooma phone:

1. Place the handset on the Ooma base and inspect the cables.
2. Unplug the supplying A/C cable from Ooma’s mounting base.
3. Remove the handset from the base, without disconnecting it.
4. Unplug the power cable from the electrical outlet and wait.
5. Next, reseat the power cord on both ends after 30 seconds.

What Are Ooma Phone’s Power Requirements?

The Ooma Telo handset has a minimum power requirement of 5V with a 0.5A consistent supply.

This means that any low-voltage third-party plug or connector may suspend the handset’s power supply and prevent it from starting up.

Warning: The Ooma phone will not start up at all if the power supply is insufficient.

2. Reconnect the Phone From Telo (Ooma Service)

The Ooma phone or cordless handset may develop an issue as a result of a disrupted service connection with the Ooma “Telo.”

To supply service, the Ooma phone must be connected via hard-wired RJ-11/12 cable to one of the service ports on the Ooma Telo.

A potential disruption in the connection may prevent the phone from ringing, dialing, calling, and performing any actions that require coverage.

Here’s how to reconnect your Ooma phone from the Telo:

1. Unplug the service cable from the back of your Ooma Telo.
2. Disconnect the other end of the cable from the Ooma phone.
3. Next, wait for up to 40 seconds while the cable is displaced.
4. Re-install the service cable on both ends to re-supply service.
5. Check the Ooma phone’s coverage and the connection status.

Can Ooma Phone Work Without Ooma Telo?

You may prefer to use the Ooma phone with an alternative service which is possible without Telo, but for Ooma-based service, you will require the base station.

Ooma can’t function without the Telo base as it establishes the essential connection between the provider and your Ooma.

The Ooma Telo even provides access to the Second Line feature, allowing you to reroute an additional handset.

Note: Many of the Ooma phone’s features will be unavailable if the Telo is not available!

3. Inspect Ooma for Power Issues

The next step is to verify that the Ooma phone has not developed any power supply issues, as a result of loose connection or malfunctioning equipment.

The Ooma phone’s setup must meet multiple electrical requirements to verify the efficiency of the device’s power supply.

Here’s what can impact your Ooma Phone or Ooma Telo’s power efficiency!

Unsecured Power Adapter Bond:

A potentially loose connection of the power adapter with the electrical outlet may cause the Ooma phone to persistently lose power and shut down.

You must ensure that the cordless handset or landline phone’s supplying cable is securely connected to the electrical outlet.

Insufficiency of the Power Source:

If the Ooma phone is still refusing to function properly, you should transfer the Ooma phone and the supplying equipment next to an alternative power outlet for testing purposes.

So, ensure the new outlet’s efficiency is tested and proven before connecting the Ooma phone’s supplying wire. 

Malfunctioning External Equipment

Another factor that could influence the Ooma phone’s power supply is potentially bad third-party equipment, such as power strips, dividers, or outlet connectors.

So, verify the supplying cable of the Ooma phone is directly plugged into the outlet, without any devices that reroute the voltage.

Warning: The following factors may impact both the Ooma phone and the Ooma Telo!

4. Reinstall Ooma’s Handset Cable (Landline Phones)

A handset issue may prevent the Ooma phone from starting up and functioning properly.

The handset may develop an issue as a result of several factors, including obstructions of the plates, a malfunction of the handset cord, or an obstructed handset port.

So, unplug the handset cable from the landline base and the holder, wait for 30 seconds, and re-install the cable.

This must resolve connection problems with your landline and fix your issue.

Notice: Cordless Ooma phones with rechargeable batteries do not use handset cables!

5. Inspect Telo’s Service Connections (Ooma Service)

The Ooma setup consists of multiple service connections, both responsible for assigning your phone’s IP address properly, allowing Ooma to send and receive calls.

Let’s inspect the service connections of your Ooma setup!

What Service Ports Does Ooma Telo Have?

Unlike other network devices that may be limited to a single LAN connection and port, the Ooma Telo can enable dual-channel installation.

The “HOME” and “INTERNET” LAN ports allow for a hub connection that can support up to multiple VoIP phones at once.

How to Properly Wire the Ooma Telo Devices?

As established, your Ooma Telo’s service setup consists of the following RJ connections:

• RJ cable connection with the landline service outlet.
• RJ cable connection with the Ooma VoIP phone.

To properly distribute the reception, the outlet’s cable must be connected to the “INTERNET” socket on your Telo and the phone’s cable must be connected to “HOME.”

Note: If you wish to use an RJ expansion hub, plug it into Telo’s “INTERNET” port.

6. Re-Supply the Network Device’s Service

If your Ooma not working, an alternative solution is to re-supply service to your Ooma Telo base station or compatible Ooma network device.

Well, a potential failure in the conversion of usable landline signal may result in degraded Ooma phone performance or faults with the base station.

Let’s learn how to re-supply the service:

How to Re-Supply Service On Any Network Device?

1. Check if the device uses a Coaxial, Optical, or RJ service cable.
2. Disconnect the service cable from the outlet or modem device.
3. Unplug the other end of the cable from the back of your device.
4. Wait for 45–60 seconds and reinstall your service connection.

How to Re-Supply Service on an Ooma Telo?

1. Unplug the RJ cable from the back of your Ooma Telo.
2. Next, disconnect the other end from the landline outlet.
3. Wait ~30 seconds and plug the RJ cable into the outlet.
4. Reinstall the other end of the cable into your Ooma Telo.
5. Test the coverage of your Ooma Telo and plugged phones.

Notice: It may take up to 2 minutes until all connected devices become online!

7. Reset Ooma Telo’s Service (Ooma Service)

Unlike most Ooma phones that don’t have a built-in “Reset” button, the Ooma Telo comes with an emergency factory restoration button. 

You should only use the button in case of a service fault or a defect with your Ooma devices, as you would have to initially set up the Telo after the procedure.

Here’s how to perform a factory reset on the Ooma Telo easily:

1. Unplug the phone’s power adapter.
2. Hold the “OK” and “REDIAL” buttons.
3. Wait until the phone indicates a reset.

Note: If your phone isn’t turning on, there will be no indication that the reset has started.

Quick Recap

Whenever the Ooma phone not working, power cycle the unit, inspect the equipment for power issues, and reconnect the Ooma Telo’s service cable.

If the fault continues, unplug Ooma’s handset cable and restore the Telo to factory defaults.

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