Modem cannot get a dial tone
No dial tone was detected when we tried to connect to your modem. This may be due to a problem with your phone line or modem settings.
To fix the problem, try one or all of the following:
You may wish to print or save a copy of these instructions as this page may not remain visible as you go through the suggested steps.
Check the physical setup
To check and reset your dial-up modem connections:
1. Make sure that your modem is connected directly to the wall socket, with no cable splitters on the line.
2. 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.
3. Make sure nothing else is plugged into the same phone line (eg fax machine, digital TV set-top box, etc).
4. If your modem is external, turn it off for a few seconds and then back on.
5. If your modem is internal, shut down your computer as you normally would, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on.
Check the phone line the computer uses for a dial tone
Using the phone handset, dial the AOL access number. If you hear an engaged tone or an operator message, please contact your telecoms provider.
Check your dialling options
Special dialling options available through your phone company can sometimes have an impact on your connection to AOL.
AOL 9.0 users:
1. On the sign-on screen, click Sign On Options.
2. In the AOL Setup window:
If you have only one location, click Edit Numbers.
If you have more than one location, select a location and click Edit Numbers.
3. Click Dialling Options.
4. Check any dialling options that apply to the phone number you are editing.
5. Click OK to return to the Edit AOL Access Phone Numbers window and click Next.
6. Click Sign On to AOL Now to sign on immediately or click Make More Changes to make additional changes.
AOL 9.0 VR users:
1. On the AOL sign-on screen select a location and click Connect Options.
2. Click Quick Edit to see your dialling options and check that they are correct.
3. Make any necessary changes and click Save.
4. Click Close to return to the sign-on screen.
Restart the computer
Restarting your computer will refresh the files and folders in Windows and may help to solve the problem you are having.
1. Shut down your computer in the usual way, eg by clicking Start, then Shut Down.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Turn your computer back on and try to connect again.
* Use the One-Click Fix to restart your computer.
Repair the AOL Connectivity Service
Run the AOL Auto Fix
When you receive this error message click the Fix It For Me button to have AOL automatically run through some troubleshooting steps to correct the problem.
