Top 5 VoIP problems and solving methods

Top 5 VoIP problems and solving methods

As is known to many, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a phone system for both incoming and outgoing phone calls using the broadband Internet - dispensing with the traditional method. Today, VoIP phone system is favored by many self-employed professionals and business houses for its several key features including voicemail, call forwarding, and caller ID.


It needs to be mentioned that VoIP phone system for business that regularly communicates with overseas clients as the savings can be enormous. Switching over to VoIP is not only cost-effective, but also relatively easy if you already have broadband Internet - the basic pre-requisite for using VoIP system. This is not to say that VoIP phone systems will never give the user any problems.


VoIP suppliers believe, and rightly too, that a well-informed user can be a greater beneficiary in using all the extraordinary features VoIP offers at minimal cost. One of the chief attractions of VoIP is sending faxes and the fact remains that many business houses do a lot of faxing.


It has to be conceded that faxing over VoIP is only an incidental benefit and can achieved only with moderate success and that too, after a few settings have been made on the fax machine. The settings include lowering the Baud rate to 9600 and disabling the error correction mode. You must also ascertain from your VoIP provider what codecs they offer, as in most cases a G711 codec would be required for using faxes.


Apart from faxing the most likely common problems that may occur and their likely solutions are:


Not receiving all incoming calls: If the IAD is unable to register with your VoIP provider, then there will be loss of incoming calls. If you have voicemail facility on your VoIP account, then your provider will route the call to your voicemail. You may ask your VoIP provider for providing voicemail, so that calls can be redirected. Another option is a feature called "Call Forwarding upon the Loss of Registration". If this feature is enabled, then during loss of your Internet connection, the call will automatically get forwarded to a preset number.


Despite having broadband Internet, unable to make outgoing calls due to absence of dial tone: Check for a corresponding light on phone no: 1 provided you have a Linksys router/IAD. If there is no light, reboot the IAD. If the light on phone 1is present, then try connecting a phone directly to the IAD without any devices or splitters between the IAD and the phone. If need be, change phone cords and/or the phone.


My calls sound unclear and quite often choppy: Disturbed audio is usually caused either due to inadequate bandwidth or from Internet congestion. Contact your ISP for a higher level of service with more bandwidth. If you find the problem occurring far too often, let the ISP check your connection. VoIP providers sometimes offer a more compressed codec or bandwidth saver setting. Changing the codec is known to solve the problem in many cases.


There is an echo sound that is annoying: Decrease the volume of the phones to prevent feedback. Take out any separate caller ID's or splitters.


Static or buzzing noise: Buzzing noise or static is most likely the result of analog or electrical interference into the phone lines or phone. Make sure the cordless phones are charged and do not have weak batteries in the handset. Change channels on the phone to see which one is best. Try connecting a phone directly to the IAD to see if the buzzing ceases.