Q&A for How to Wire a Telephone

The easiest way to wire a CAT 5 or CAT 6 keystone telephone jack is to strip the wire, separate the conductors, and then place those conductors in their respective colored ports on the back of the keystone connector or wall plate connector. Then you can use a punch-down tool to push those cables all the way in and make the connection.

If the box in question only has two possible connections, just plug a RJ11 jack into the one marked Line 1. If there are more, you would be well advised to ask your phone company to send out a technician.

Typical colors that go together are red/green and yellow/black. As long as you use the same colors on both ends, it doesn't matter.

All you need is to conect two wires -- RX&TX, marked on the telephone terminal -- to the telephone socket (also marked TX&RX ), then plug in to the new phone line.

You could use a multimeter. Touch one of the wires of the multimeter to the phone wire, then touch the other one to another port on the phone, or even to another part of the wire, at about 10 cms apart.

With a soldering iron and some solder would be the most reliable option. Or turn off the electricity and wrap the metal of the wires around each other -- this option will be easy but may be slightly unsafe and won't last if it gets knocked.

Make sure the wiring is not loose, and try the phone in a different jack. If that is not the case, try plugging in a different phone. If that fixes the problem, you will need to get a new phone. If that is not the issue still, contact your telephone service provider.

Yes, CAT-6 conductors work well for telephone service, up to a limited distance.

The line may be undergoing maintenance. Try calling your telephone company from a smartphone.

There may be obstructions blocking signal. Try getting a signal booster antenna installed.

Have someone call you. You can fix your landline inside the house on your own but don't attempt to fix it on the outside your door. That's not your property even if you own the house.