VTech Phone Cannot Make Outgoing Calls? (Fix it Fast)

VTech phone cannot make outgoing calls, and you don’t know why? Well, keep reading!

The VTech cordless phone is an excellent addition to your home or office, but it may sometimes encounter communication issues, such as false outgoing calls.

The hurdle can be caused by a problem with the VTech base, insufficient handset supply, or a temporary VTech outage! 

So, let’s start analyzing the possible solutions for the issue!

If your VTech phone isn’t sending calls, ensure the handset is within range of your base and reconnect the RJ-45 telephone jack. If the issue persists, check for a VTech outage, inspect the base’s power supply and factory reset the phone.

There’s much more so let’s dig deeper!

Why is My VTech Phone Unable to Call?

Unlike other landline phones, the only wired part of your VTech phone setup is the base, while the handset is completely cordless.

If you’re unable to perform an outgoing call through your phone, the issue may be related to the landline, the base’s power supply, or configuration.

Let’s review a list of all causes for the VTech phone’s malfunction:

How to Check for VTech Service Outages?

The primary reason why VTech is unable to send outgoing calls is due to an offline landline or phone network.

So, before attempting to address the VTech phone’s issues, it’s best to check if there are ongoing outages that have temporarily brought the service down.

Since VTech has not yet developed a web map with an interface containing outage information, you can determine if the service is down by submitting a ticket.

Simply go to VTech’s Contact Form on any of your connected devices and fill out the required information.

Note: You should receive feedback from VTech in under an hour during non-busy hours!

VTech Phone Cannot Make Outgoing Calls – Proven Solutions

Tip: Follow the instructions for the best effects!

1. Relocate the VTech Phone

The cordless handset and the base maintain a persistent wireless Bluetooth connection that functions under particular range requirements.

So, if you’re attempting to perform a call while the handset is farther than 50–60 feet from the base, you may not even hear VTech’s dial tone.

So, ensure the handset is within a 50-foot (~15 meters) range from the base and re-dial the subscriber to determine if VTech will send the call.

How to Test VTech Handset Range?

An optimal method for determining the average range of the headset is dialing someone while slowly walking away from the base.

Well, all you need to do is plug the VTech base in one of the room corners, dial a subscriber, and start to slowly walk away while holding the VTech handset.

Whenever the dial tone stops or becomes distorted, you’re closing in on the maximum range of the VTech base.

Then, you can measure the distance roughly by converting your steps into feet.

2. Re-cradle the VTech Handset

Re-cradling the VTech phone with the base can solve issues with the wireless communications that are preventing the phone from performing a call.

Placing the handset back into the holder will resolve existing communication issues and drop all incoming or outgoing calls.

Follow these instructions to cradle the VTech handset in easy steps:

1. Remove the handset from the holder of the base mount.
2. Wait for 10–15 seconds and place the handset back on.
3. Pick up the handset and re-dial the number from earlier.

Notice: The handset is designed to automatically hang up once in contact with the base!

3. Power Cycle the VTech Base

If you’re still experiencing issues with the VTech handset, you should perform a power cycle by temporarily suspending the base’s power supply.

A potential insufficiency of the electrical supply may prevent the VTech base from communicating with the handset and sending outgoing calls.

Here’s how to perform a power cycle on the base of the VTech handset easily:

1. Remove the handset from the base and turn it upside down.
2. Untie the power cord jack from the holder on the base unit.
3. Unplug the jack from both ends and wait for 60 seconds.
4. Reconnect the power cord of the base back into the supply.
5. Place the jack back into the holder and plug it into the base.
6. Turn on the VTech base and place the handset back on top.

Bonus Tip: Check the Base’s Power Supply!

An insufficient power supply is the primary reason why the base is miscommunicating with the handset.

So, to resolve potential issues with the power supply of VTech, you should alter the unit’s electrical source, inspect the power jack for damages, and clean the base’s power port.

Warning: An underlying hardware malfunction may reduce the VTech base’s power supply!

4. Reinsert the Handset’s Battery

All cordless handsets use a standard battery pack that is charged by the base while the handset is plugged in.

Hence, over time, the handset’s battery may degrade and start causing a variety of issues with the phone, including dial tone issues, muffled ringing, or blocked outgoing calls.

Follow these instructions to access the VTech phone’s battery pack:

1. First, remove the handset from the VTech base.
2. Slide the battery cover off from the rear panel.
3. Unplug the battery pack’s AC cord from VTech.
4. Next, eject the battery and wait for 30 seconds.
5. Put the battery into the socket and reconnect it.

Also, Replace VTech’s Battery:

Even if a battery replacement is due every 6 or so months, the battery of your cordless VTech phone might have developed an issue earlier.

That’s why it is recommended to insert a fresh Cordless BT283482 Battery with an electrical adapter compatible with your VTech’s handset.

5. Check for Conflicting Wireless Signals

There’s a strong possibility that the wireless signal emitted by the handset and the base is congested by other conflicting signals nearby. 

Any appliances, such as Bluetooth speakers, baby phones, Wi-Fi routers, wireless sensors, or RF radios, can interfere with the signal.

So you must ensure none of the following devices are within a 25–30-foot range of the VTech base and dial the number you want to contact.

Notice: Wireless interference may also degrade the handset’s audio and signal quality!

6. Reconnect the Telephone Jack

If you’re still unable to send outgoing calls from your VTech phone, there could be an underlying service issue with the telephone jack.

Like any other landline phone, your VTech handset’s base connects to a power outlet and a standard telephone socket to establish a service connection.

Note: Your VTech phone uses an RJ-45 cable as a telephone jack to plug in with the outlet!

So, unplug the RJ-45 telephone cable from the bottom of your VTech base and the telephone outlet for approximately 30–45 seconds and plug it back in. 

Use an Alternative Telephone Wall Port:

The VTech handset may also develop an issue as a result of a defective or inactive telephone wall port.

So, test the VTech phone by connecting the base to an alternative telephone jack.

Note: Try to notice any visual damage inflicted on the hardware of the telephone cable!

7. Factory Reset the VTech Handset

You can address any existing system, configuration, or coverage issues with the VTech handset by restoring the phone to factory defaults.

It is a standard procedure for erasing all settings of the phone and re-doing the Initial Setup of the unit, in case of a failure with any of the services.

Warning: The data lost as a result of the reset cannot be brought back!

Here’s how to perform a factory reset on the VTech phone easily:

1. Place your handset onto the base and open the menu.
2. Next, scroll down and navigate to “Status” → “Network.”
3. Document the IP address the VTech unit is currently on.
4. Use username (admin) and password (admin) to log in.
5. Select “Servicing” and scroll to the bottom of the page.
6. Select “Reset” and then choose “Reset configuration.”
7. Wait until the VTech handset and base are fully restored.

Once the reset is finished, use the documented credentials to set up the VTech phone by completing the on-screen prompts.

The VTech phone will automatically prompt you to undergo initial setup once the factory restoration is complete.

Note: Do not interact with the base or the handset while the reset is still ongoing!

Quick Recap

So, whenever a VTech phone cannot make outgoing calls, check for conflicting wireless signals, power cycle the base, and reinsert the handset’s battery.

If the problem persists, perform a factory reset on the VTech base.

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