AboutSpencer Holcombe Expertise I have been in the telecommunications arena for several years. I've worked in traffic,installation,repair,customer service,fraud,national and major accounts. I Started with Pacific Telephone,went to American Bell, AT&T Information Systems, AT&T Communications, Pacific Bell-SBC - AT&T. I can answer most questions of a service or equipment nature-excluding cellular. From jacks, wiring, phones, to custom calling services, local to long distance.
Experience Bell System and post divesture work for AT&T and Local operating companies. Service rep-to Fraud desk.
Organizations Telephone Pioneers of America
Publications PTM mag. Connections, Update, and other company publications. Also have expert status at AskME.com
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Question -
I have had an AT&T cordless telephone, model HS-8271, for a few years with no problems. Now I have a buzzing noise in the phone - when I touch the metal connector at the base of the phone, the noise stops. When I use the speaker phone, the noise is not there. I always leave the phone on the unit when I'm not making a call. I have tried pushing the channel button on the phone but it didn't help. The other phones in the house work fine. Could the phone need a battery? Any ideas?
Thank you.
Spencer,
Thanks for the advice - I can't remember any new appliances I've added, but I'll give it a try when I get home - Thanks a lot!
Jim
Answer -
Jim,
This is a clasic discription of radio frequency interference. Have you added or moved any appliances in your home? Any new lamps or lights that use a starter ballast? Any new or moved electronics ? All of these can cause interference to your cordless phone. Try moving the base unit to a new location or if possible, move the appliance. I doubt it's a battery problem as your unit has an audio alert (4 short beeps) as well as a visual indicator (battery indicator on screen). A new battery will cost you apx $19.99 + shipping, so make that's your last choice. Dont use an extension cord to plug your phone into a wall outlet and keep as many other appliances off that line of your homes electrical wiring as possible. With a little investigation you'll find the lamp, appliance, or electronic device that's causing the buzz, and you can then correct it using the above choices. [Easy fix: move the base unit to another outlet or room].
Hope this helps you, let me know - Spencer
Answer Jim, I SHOULD have told you to start by finding out what's on that electric line in addition to the base unit. Plug a lamp into the same outlet box that the base unit connects to. Turn the lamp on, then go to your circuit breaker. Turn the breakers off one at a time and check the lamp. When the lamp goes out, make a note of what breaker controls that outlet. Then turn the breaker off again and go THROUGH your home noting ALL items NOT running. You now have a STARTING list of items to check against the buzz in your phone. Unplug each item one at a time, checking the phone after each one. No buzz equates to the item causing the problem - MOVE IT! If none of this helps, repeat the above, using the other breakers one at a time, till you locate the item. When done, make sure ALL breakers are in the on posistion. Good luck, Spencer
