How to Remove Static Noise From a Cordless Phone

Cordless phones transmit and receive radio signals to and from a base unit via antennae. They are convenient and can give you more freedom of movement when calling, but they are sometimes plagued by static noise problems.

Find the small gray plastic box called the network interface device (NID) which is mounted by the telephone company on a wall just outside your home. Follow the line that runs from the utility pole into your home to trace the NID. Using a screwdriver, loosen the holding screw in front of the box to open its cover.

Open the NID and look for the short wire with a modular connector plugged into a jack beside it. Depress the clip on the connector and unplug the connector from its jack. Get a land-line phone with an attached cord and insert the modular plug at the end of its cord into the jack inside the NID. Place a call and listen for static. The presence of static while using the phone indicates that the problem lies with the telephone company wires and not within your home telephone wires. Call your phone company to report the problem.

Get the filter supplied with your modem (if you have a digital subscriber line or DSL), plug the modular connector at the end of its cord into the jack inside the NID, and plug the cordless phone into the jack at the end of the filter. Otherwise, plug the phone directly into the jack inside the NID (if you don't have DSL). A DSL filter or micro-filter blocks interference created by the DSL service. Place a call and listen for static. The presence of static while using the phone indicates that the problem lies in the cordless phone itself and not within your home wiring.

Rotate or adjust the phone antenna while listening to the handset for static. Inspect the antenna and make sure it is fully extended. Look for the channel button on the phone interface and press the button to change the frequency. Most wireless phones have several channels that carry different frequency, changing the channel can eliminate static noise. Read the instruction manual of your phone to get more detailed information on how to change its channel.

Unplug all other phones in your home one at a time, and listen to the line to hear if the static has stopped each time you unplug one. If the static disappears once a certain phone is unplugged, then that phone is the probable cause of the annoying sound. You can replace the phone or remove it from the line.

Look at the cords of each phone and check that the cords are at least 3 feet away from power cords, speaker wires, radio or television transmitters, transformers and other electronic devices. Maintain maximum distance between the phone set and any electronic device.

Look at the telephone patch cord on each phone including the wireless phone, and check if the wires are connected properly. A loose connection is the most common reason for static noise. Move the wires, and check if you hear a noise every time the wires are moved. Replace any cord that causes the static.

Unplug other devices like your answering machine, fax machine and modems. If the static disappears after unplugging an item, then that device is probably causing the static.

Look at each device connected to your phone line (if you have DSL), and make sure that each device and phone has a good quality DSL filter plugged into the phone jack. DSL filters are typically supplied with the modems and are plugged directly into wall jacks. Phones and other devices are plugged into the DSL filter.

Connect an antenna if you are unable to remove interference. Some cordless phones have dual antenna connectors that enable you to mount two antennas on either side of a wall to improve clarity.