Error: No Carrier received from modem
The 'No Carrier Signal' error message occurs if there is a break
in the connection between you and the AOL Server or if a signal
cannot be found to connect in the first place. This can happen if
there is a lot of noise on the phone line or if your modem
drivers are not up to date.
In order to fix this problem, please work through the following steps:
Check your modem connection
Please ensure that all wires are connected securely and in the following ways:
1. Make sure the telephone cable is connected to the correct socket on the modem. If there are two sockets, it should be connected to the one marked Line.
2. The modem should be connected directly to the wall socket, with no cable splitters on the line.
3. Make sure nothing else is plugged into the same phone line (eg fax machine, digital TV set-top box, etc).
Are you using the most suitable access number?
Close all other software while starting AOL
Sometimes other programs or processes may interfere with the AOL software. Try shutting down all running programs in the task list, and reconnecting to the internet. This process is very repetitive. Do not restart the computer during the process or else you will have to start from scratch.
1. Hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys on the keyboard, and then press the Delete key.
Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7: Click Task Manager and click the Applications tab.
2. From that list of programs, it is only necessary to keep running Explorer, Systray and RunDll, if they appear.
3. Highlight the first program in the list that isn't any of the necessary items above and click End Task. This will return you to the desktop.
4. Another window may appear, saying 'This program is not responding', click End Task.
5. Repeat the same steps to close the programs until only Explorer and Systray (and RunDll if present) remain in the list. Remember to leave your anti virus and firewall software running also.
Note: If you are unsure what applications are required by your computer, please contact your computer manufacturer.
Perform a HyperTerminal test
You can run a HyperTerminal test to ensure that your modem is working correctly. Before you begin, please ensure that your phone line is free and the modem cable is connected.
Note: If HyperTerminal is not installed on your computer, please contact your computer vendor or manufacturer for advice on installing it.
To run the HyperTerminal test, take the following steps:
1. Click Start and select Run.
2. In the Run box, type hypertrm and click OK.
Note: If the message 'File Not Found' is displayed, please check the spelling. If HyperTerminal still does not open, contact your computer vendor for further troubleshooting.
3. Type Test and click OK.
4. In the drop-down list labelled Connect using, select the modem's COM port and click OK.
Note: See below for details on how to check which COM port your modem uses.
5. In the Bits per second drop-down list, select 57600 and then click OK.
6. Type atz and press Enter. The word OK should be displayed.
7. Type atx1dt08089944002 and press Enter again. If the HyperTerminal test is successful, the word Login will be displayed. See below for other possible results.
Checking the modem's COM port
To check which COM port your modem uses, take the following steps:
1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
Windows 98, Me and 2000 users: Click Start, and then select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click Phone and Modem Options.
3. Select the Modems tab. The COM port the modem connects with is listed here.
HyperTerminal test results
If the test is successful, the word Login will be displayed in the HyperTerminal window. Other possible HyperTerminal results are as follows:
-- No Carrier: If this message is displayed, please check that the phone line is free and the modem is connected.
-- Blacklisted: If this is displayed, type AT%TCB in the HyperTerminal window and press Enter. If after trying this, you still cannot connect to the internet, please contact your computer vendor for further troubleshooting.
-- No dial tone: This means that there is a problem with the modem because it has been told to blind dial. Please contact your computer vendor for further troubleshooting.
-- No Response: If you see this message, there is a problem with the modem. Please contact your computer vendor for further troubleshooting.
-- Rubbish appearing: If a series of symbols or letters are displayed, this means that there is a problem with the modem. Please contact your computer vendor for further troubleshooting.
Clear the modem setup
AOL 9.0: Run the 'I cannot get connected to the AOL service' Auto Fix
Note: Make sure any external modem is connected and on and that AOL is offline.
1. Close open programs, sign off AOL.
2. When offline, click Help on the AOL menu bar (at the top of your screen), then click AOL Help.
3. Click the + beside Resolving Problems, and then click Solving common AOL problems.
4. Click I cannot get connected to the AOL service.
5. Close all programs (including AOL) and click Continue.
6. Follow all on-screen instructions.
AOL 9.0 VR: Reset all locations
1. Close the AOL software.
2. Right-click the AOL icon in your Windows system tray (at the bottom right-hand corner of your screen, next to your PC's clock).
3. Select System Information, then click Connectivity in the left-hand column.
4. Click Reset Locations.
5. Click Yes, reset to confirm, then click OK.
6. Close the System Information window and restart your PC.
7. Start AOL and click Sign On to try to connect again.
AOL 8.0 and below: Clear your modem setup
1. Start the AOL software.
2. On the AOL Sign On Screen, click Setup and then click Expert Setup.
3. Click on the Devices tab, choose your modem from the list and click Delete.
4. Exit the AOL software and restart it again. AOL will attempt to auto-detect your modem.
5. Then try to connect to AOL again.
