AT&T landline not working? Outage or something else

If your AT&T home phone stopped working, it is usually one of three things: an outage, a problem inside your home, or AT&T retiring the copper line in your area.

Check for an AT&T outage

Call AT&T from a cell phone using the repair number on your bill and ask if there is an outage at your address.

Ask a neighbor with AT&T whether their phone works.

Storms, construction and copper theft can knock out lines for several days.

Rule out a problem inside your home

Unplug everything from your phone jacks, then plug one corded phone into the jack nearest where the line enters the house. If you hear a dial tone, a device or cord in your home is the problem.

Was your AT&T line shut off on purpose?

AT&T is moving customers from copper lines to AT&T Phone - Advanced. Before it changes your service, AT&T should send a written notice. Look for a letter or bill insert mentioning copper retirement or a network upgrade.

Internet works, but the phone doesn't?

That usually means the problem is with phone service only, not your whole connection.

If you rely on a medical alert

A dead landline can mean your medical alert can't call for help. Press the button and confirm the operator answers. If not, keep a charged cell phone nearby until the line is fixed.

This site is independent and not affiliated with AT&T.