Can't hear outgoing calls but receiver's phone does ring.

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

Well, this problem has caused me frustration like you have no idea.

I've spent at least 15 hours with those idiots at chat support and they don't care that I've done 100 times the "upgrade" and that I've been asked 1000 times if the blue light is on or if the phone says "ready to call"... it has just been a complete waste of time.

I'm in my second year with my MJ, and I've been using it perfectly until a couple weeks ago. The MJ works fine making and receiving calls and then at any random moment I pick up the phone (I can hear the line) I dial the number and I can't hear anything. The softphone informs me the current steps: trying... session progress... active... but I can't hear anything.
I call my own cell phone and my cell phone rings, it identifies the caller as my MJ number. I answer that call but I can't hear nothing on each end, it's just dead.
If I get a call back during this "period" I hear the phone ring in my MJ, I answer the call but it's mute as well.
Eventually, it fixes itself and it goes back to "normal", but this bugs me BIG time as I don't know when it's going to work and when it will be mute.

Has anybody else suffered from this problem?.

I've tried my MJ with three other computers in my household and it behaves like this in each of them.

I have a wireless router but the computer where it's working it's wired to the router, I use the wireless just for the wii.

What can I do to solve this?, why now after a year of great service???.

And the MagicJack tech support.... well... they don't know jack!!!.

Thanks for your help in advance.

[az2008]

Are you using the softphone with a headset, or a handset connected to the USB device? If the latter, what happens if you disconnect the handset and try using the softphone with a headset?

In either case, have you gone into the softphone's menu->volume/headset control to make sure it's set correctly?

Mark

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

I'm using a phone connected to the usb device.

And the settings are correct, as I say in my previous post, I can use the MJ "normally" and then it starts behaving like this without apparent reason.

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

And I've tried to use the softphone with a headset and it does the same thing.

[az2008]

And I've tried to use the softphone with a headset and it does the same thing.

All I can think of is to change your proxy to see if the proxy your number is homed to is having a problem.

You could also try the * trick described on the wiki FAQ (why I can't dial certain numbers).

Mark

[gillist419]

The MJ works fine making and receiving calls and then at any random moment I pick up the phone (I can hear the line) I dial the number and I can't hear anything. The softphone informs me the current steps: trying... session progress... active... but I can't hear anything.
I call my own cell phone and my cell phone rings, it identifies the caller as my MJ number. I answer that call but I can't hear nothing on each end, it's just dead.
If I get a call back during this "period" I hear the phone ring in my MJ, I answer the call but it's mute as well.
Eventually, it fixes itself and it goes back to "normal", but this bugs me BIG time as I don't know when it's going to work and when it will be mute.

Has anybody else suffered from this problem?.

I've tried my MJ with three other computers in my household and it behaves like this in each of them.

I have a wireless router but the computer where it's working it's wired to the router, I use the wireless just for the wii.

I'm having the EXACT same problem.
I've been using MJ successfully ( with minimum problems) for close to a year. I have the same setup as you as well (wireless router for the wii, but MJ hardwired to the router.) I've also tried every solution I can think of and find on this forum. (Ex. Trying different computers, trying the headset, I've done alot of the windows tweaks. Nothing seems to work.)

I'm getting ready to try the proxy hack. Seems like a bit of work, but worth the hassle if it works.
I really don't want to rely on the * trick (if it works).

Have you found any of these working for you?

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

I'm in the same place, I've tried everything but the proxy change. It does seem like a lot of work but I guess I will have to try it since it seems that nobody else knows what can it be.

If you ever stumble across the solution, please let me know.

At least now I know it's not just me.

[gillist419]

I'm in the same place, I've tried everything but the proxy change. It does seem like a lot of work but I guess I will have to try it since it seems that nobody else knows what can it be.

If you ever stumble across the solution, please let me know.

At least now I know it's not just me.

It's 3 a.m. and I finally got half way done with the proxy change (just found out my proxy). I'll finish in the mourning.

Note: the * trick does not work. All it does is take me back to a dial tone after a few seconds of dead air.

[gillist419]

I'm in the same place, I've tried everything but the proxy change. It does seem like a lot of work but I guess I will have to try it since it seems that nobody else knows what can it be.

If you ever stumble across the solution, please let me know.

At least now I know it's not just me.

It's 3 a.m. and I finally got half way done with the proxy change (just found out my proxy). I'll finish in the mourning. By the way, I'm on the Columbus proxy.

Note: the * trick does not work. All it does is take me back to a dial tone after a few seconds of dead air.

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

Did you finish the proxy change?

Did it work???

[gillist419]

Did you finish the proxy change?

Did it work???

I haven't been able to get to it today (work and school). I'm going to try to get to it tonight, or tomorrow morning. I will post my results when done.

I can't believe only a handful of people are having this problem, if it's a proxy issue.

[mberlant]

I am quite sure it is not just affecting a few people. I would rather believe that the vast majority of the people affected either go to MJ's chat service or trash their MJ. Very few MJ customers end up here, and we come here with various problems.

[bass420]

i just got my magicjack and i am having the same problem could this be something that magicjack has done on there end?

[hollettster]

<$0.02>
I have been on with Tech chat on and off for the last 13 hours. After tons of b!tch!ng, they are sending me another mj unit. The support at MJ sucks bad. I have 4 computers and 1 is a mac and I got the problem on EVERY computer and they are trying to tell me it was a connection issue on my end but I removed the router and disabled all firewalls etc. Just keep fighting them and I think you will get a new jack.
</$0.02>

[mberlant]

During those 13 hours did you remember to describe your network environment, including your physical location and your measured WAN bandwidth, both downstream and upstream?

During those 13 hours did you have a chance to review any of the threads here that talk about which proxy servers are more troublesome than others?

During those 13 hours did you have a chance to review the parts of the Wiki or any of the threads here that discuss how to choose which proxy server you associate with?

During those 13 hours did you have a chance to review any of the threads here that discuss how limited MJ chat's scripts are, and how you are much better off reading the information contained here in this forum?

Maybe you'll make more progress over the next 13 hours.

[stmay]

I'm having the same issue. Started a couple of days ago. I have been using MJ for a couple months now with no problems. My Mom is using MJ at her house as well, and I just realized that she is having the same issues. I've been able to make a phone call or two that has worked. Outside of those, about 98% of the calls I have tried to make or receive just sit there with no sound on either end. This is pretty frustrating because I don't get much cell phone reception inside my house and it's been nearly impossible for me to make phone calls for the last two days.

I've tried about all the "easy" fixes I can think of. Rebooted the pc, restarted MJ several times, ran the upgrade, ran the fix, rebooted the router, rebooted the cable modem, and tried another pc all together. I have not tried to change the proxy yet.

Just thought I'd throw in my two cents. I bet there are a lot of MJ users that are having the same issues.

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

At least now I'm sure that the problem doesn't have to do with me, my equipment or my MJ unit. I was about to the point of buying another one, and I would have freaked out if the new one started doing this as well.

My problem started two, almost three weeks ago. after 14 months of great service, one day it just started doing it. And I haven't been able to get it back to work "normally" again.

gillist419 started changing his proxy, let's hope that it takes care of the problem.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[gillist419]

Well I tried four different proxy servers.
Columbus (my default)
Pittsburgh
Seattle
Washington
Still no luck. It seams as if changing to a different proxy has made a differents with outgoing calls (for the better). But I'm still not getting connected with incoming calls.

I've talked to a couple of other people that I recommended buying MJ. They have noticed calls not connecting with their units also. Saying the problem started a few weeks ago. So, I know it's not something on my end.

For the time being, I'm having all my calls forwarded to my cell.
Long term: If this problem is not fixed, I may give skype a try. I already have a dedicated computer setup as my MJ server. So it may become my skype server.

I would like to ask some of the other members on this forum what proxy they are using, and if it's working well for them?

[mberlant]

Please remember, as mentioned in other threads, that you must place several calls inbound and outbound in order for all of MJ's network pieces to realign with the new proxy server. It seems like you are giving up on a proxy without doing this.

[stmay]

I'm in Columbus, so I assume this is probably my default proxy as well. I thought the problem may have gone away, because I was able to receive and make a few calls today. The problem still exists to at least one phone number. It's my girlfriends cell phone. I just tried calling here a little bit ago, and can't hear any audio. This problem only started for me on Thursday this week. Everything was working fine on Wednesday.

[jageorge72]

Would just like to confirm that I am having the same problems as the original poster. It just started a few days ago..... and is random. Sometimes I dial a number, and it works just fine. But.... sometimes I call and it doesn't ring..... just sounds like dead air. If I watch the softphone, I can see when the other person picks up, but neither of us can hear each other.

I'm wondering if the MagicJack network itself is having some problems?

[jageorge72]

I'm in Columbus, so I assume this is probably my default proxy as well. I thought the problem may have gone away, because I was able to receive and make a few calls today. The problem still exists to at least one phone number. It's my girlfriends cell phone. I just tried calling here a little bit ago, and can't hear any audio. This problem only started for me on Thursday this week. Everything was working fine on Wednesday.

I think mine started acting up on Thursday (Feb. 26th) too. I had a problem that night. The Friday I was off work and was trying to shop around for a better auto insurance rate, and my phone was driving me crazy. It is Sunday night now, and still not working properly.

[gillist419]

Sad to hear more people are having the same problem. I haven't had time to mess around with it today. I got it on my default proxy (columbus). Forwarding all my calls to the cell.

I plan on messing with it tomorrow. I'll do like mberlant said and switch to a different proxy. Then I'll make a bunch of calls to and from the phone and see if it works.

This is a problem that needs to be resolved!

[lockmaster]

i am experiencing similar connection problems here. I have tried just about everything and no solution yet. I tried different routers, different Pcs, different telephones, and even a thin client. In some instances when I make a call the person on the other end answers but can not hear me; nor can I hear them. Sometimes there is a break in the call and we loose communications. I assume I have eliminated equipment problems on this end thru substitution. That suggest the problems could be with the MJ servers or even defective MJ downloads or updates. We can only hope the MJ technical staff can come up with solutions to help make this product more reliable. It sure has possibilities. Several friends of mine use the cable VOIP telephone system with excellent results. That system uses a thin client that plugs into a router similar to the HP Thin Client some of you experimenters are using with the MJ. Hang in there guys...and thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences.

[nickdunedin]

i am having the same problem as well. i did the 30 day trial and the thing worked great. now the past 2 weeks its been a POS.

its to the point where i can make one phone call, incomming or outgoing, and thats it until i restart magicjack

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

Would just like to confirm that I am having the same problems as the original poster. It just started a few days ago..... and is random. Sometimes I dial a number, and it works just fine. But.... sometimes I call and it doesn't ring..... just sounds like dead air. If I watch the softphone, I can see when the other person picks up, but neither of us can hear each other.

I'm wondering if the MagicJack network itself is having some problems?

That's right, the problem is random. It's not with particular numbers or anything like that.
I dial a number and it works fine. I need to call back a few minutes later... mute!. I try to do 6 or 7 calls and sometimes in one of those I can hear the ringing tone and the call goes through, sometimes I just need to leave the darn thing alone and it starts working on its own.

It really is an unpleasant bug to deal with, I hope that someone can find the solution soon. If you do, or if you read the solution someplace else, or either one of the guys at chat tech support finally gets to it, please don't forget to post it here so we can all put an end to it.

[MyOwnMJ]

My friend is having the same problem with her MagicJack. I have a MagicJack of my own, that that seems to work fine (knock on wood).

I tried dealing with MJ tech support and it was an exercise in frustration, to say the least. Hopefully, this is some sort of glitch that they can resolve soon.

[newbie513]

Same problem

[stmay]

This thing is really starting to tick me off. I've been able to recieve a few calls, but for the most part, it's still not working.

Because of crappy cell phone signal here, I have to go outside to use the phone. It's 13 degrees here tonight without the wind chill factor.

20 bucks a year for phone service is great, but if you can't use the phone at all, it's pretty much a waste of money. I should have stayed with Vonage.

[jageorge72]

Ahhhh..... and to top it all off, everyone at my company is now laid off at the starting at the end of the week. So, I actually need to buy my landline service back.... at a time I am trying to cut bills.... because I can't send out resumes with my magicjack phone number since it is a completely unreliable P.O.S.!

[murphy]

Ahhhh..... and to top it all off, everyone at my company is now laid off at the starting at the end of the week. So, I actually need to buy my landline service back.... at a time I am trying to cut bills.... because I can't send out resumes with my magicjack phone number since it is a completely unreliable P.O.S.!

I assume that you mean that you are going to fax your resume to prospective employers. That is not a good idea. A concise letter delivered by the Post Office is still the best way.

[CharlieRC]

Just to let everyone know I am having the same problem. This just started a week or so ago. Everything used to work great. I noticed there was a software download the other day. I'll bet MJ has a software bug.

[wils0nc]

I am in Columbus OH and have the same problem. It has been a week or so. Interesting how the problem appears after you renew!!

[docooo]

Started yesterday for me - only lasted 2 hr's - then all ok - and only
to certain area codes ..

So might want to try differant codes and see if that's a problem.

Doc

[stmay]

Update on my situation. I tried again last night to bypass the router and bam the thing is working perfect now. The one number I've tried probably 25 times since last week without success worked 3 times in a row. I tried doing this before, but this time it seems to be working.

Is there something I need to do with my router? MJ has been working fine with it for probably 6 months up until last week. What might have changed? The other strange part is that I was able to make calls to my Mom and Dad's MJ. Why would it be working to them but to no one else? Any ideas?

[TimSH]

I've been having problems for the last 2 days with incoming calls. Outgoing calls seem fine My girlfriend's son has a MJ I bought for him because he gets 0 cell coverage at his place. He can get incoming calls, but outgoing is a problem. It's becoming evident that this is definitely not a problem on our end, but is an issue on the MJ side.

[az2008]

Is there something I need to do with my router?

The only way to know is to download/install Wireshark and perform two traces of MJ startup (with and without router). And, another two traces showing what happens with a successful call and unsuccessful call (with/without router).

You should do these traces with nothing else running. Not even a browser open. (That will minimize unrelated network activity being captured.).

If you can't decipher the captures, you can email them to me at [email protected]. PM me if you do. I don't monitor that email address unless someone tells me they sent something. Be warned that a network trace can contain personally identifying (even sensitive) information. You shouldn't send a trace to anyone unless you trust them.

The other strange part is that I was able to make calls to my Mom and Dad's MJ. Why would it be working to them but to no one else?

Maybe when you place a call to them it is routed to a different MJ region's proxy/vms servers and terminated to the telephone exchange there. If that region isn't suffering problems like another region, you might notice different behavior(?).

Mark

[stmay]

Thanks for the info. I may give the trace a shot. I noticed that after I hooked my router up, I was able to make one call before the problems started again. I tried turning off some options on my router and as soon as I turned off the router's firewall, I was able to make and receive calls from the number I had been having the majority of my problems with. I thought disabling the firewall was a temporary work around, but then I got a call from one of the neighbors on his cell phone and his land line, and I was unable to talk to him either way. Just dead silence. It seems odd that I was finally able to complete a phone call to the number I had been trying since last Thursday, but almost immediately noticed the problem from someone else.

[az2008]

I tried turning off some options on my router and as soon as I turned off the router's firewall, I was able to make and receive calls from the number I had been having the majority of my problems with.

Which router brand/model? Newer Linksys routers are known to have buggy firmware. MJ doesn't initiate any connections to the client computer. So, opening ports or disabling a firewall shouldn't be necessary. But, with a buggy router it may be.

Not sure why it would start. But, if I recall correctly, there were users of newer Linksys routers who worked fine, and then it wouldn't work until they disabled their firewall (put their router in DMZ mode). As if something about MJ's traffic changed enough to cause the router's buggy firmware to stumble.

If you can really start/stop the problem by enabling/disabling the router, it may not worth the effort of tracing the traffic with Wireshark. (Unless you have overly restrictive firewall rules which prevent internal-to-external access.).

Mark

[lunavic50]

wow whats funny is I am having the same exact problem.... 4 out of five times when I make or receive a call the party on the other end I can not hear......

Just started happening and I thought for a second it was because the cable company came and swapped out my old modem that had their phone service through it for one that did not

Now that I think of it my software says its from March 4 and thats exactly when this started happening.

Is there any way to get back to an older version of the software?

[stmay]

My router is a Linksys, but it's an older WRV54G. I'm not using DMZ. I tried turning it on, but it didn't seem to make any difference. My Mom called me a bit ago and she's been having nothing but problems with her's as well. The weird thing is that I talked to her for maybe 5 minutes just fine. Hung up and she called back 2 minutes later and there was nothing but silence. I'm not convinced disabling the firewall really had anything to do with it working a few times, but it was just strange that it worked when I turned it off, didn't when I turned it back on, and then worked once I turned it off again. I still have it off at the moment, but it seems like I'm still having issues.

[az2008]

I'm not convinced disabling the firewall really had anything to do with it working a few times, ... I still have it off at the moment, but it seems like I'm still having issues.

It's probably not related to the router.

I started experiencing the same problems today with the Phx proxy. Outgoing calls completed but I could hear nothing. Calls to voice mail went back to dial tone. An hour later the problems stopped. An hour later they returned.

Probably Dan "experimenting" again.

Mark

[MyOwnMJ]

I think it might be the actual MagicJack device itself that for some reason is malfunctioning. The reason I say this is because my friend has a Magicjack that is experiencing the same problems. I also have a Magicjack, but so far it still works fine, even on her computer.

If the problem was from an UPDATE, I'd think that my Magicjack would be messed up by now too.

Her and my devices are the same generation Magicjack (gen 2). Only she got hers a few months before me.

[az2008]

I think it might be the actual MagicJack device itself that for some reason is malfunctioning.

Use a headset and softphone to confirm that the problem disappears. If so, maybe it's the device.

In my case, I use the softphone with a headset, and I run "dongleless." I started having the described problem today.

Mark

[lunavic50]

I think its a bit uncanny that theres allready 3 threads 2 of which started today with people pileing up with the same exact problem.... Ive tried everything possible. and I mean everything... Its my opinion this is a update prob... a bug on their end

too many people at the same time having the ecaxt same prob

[lunavic50]

you guys might want to try this....

Ive made 4 calls and all is well so hopefully this guy nailed it... Its late here so I cant pester anyone else to see if its really fixed... but so far so good


I talked to a tech and I seem to be all fixed up

heres what he said

---------------

Chat InformationPlease wait for a site operator to respond.

Chat InformationYou are now chatting with 'Lex'

Lex: Hello, how may I help you?

Victor: hi

Lex: Hi Victor

Victor: I think that your latest update has caused an issue with many users of magic jack

Victor: http://www.phoneservicesupport.com/tech ... rt-f7.html

Victor: many having the same prob that started at the same time

Victor: cant hear the caller but they can hear me

Victor: and ive tried everything

Victor: are you guys getting alot of this sorta complaint?

Lex: I see.

Victor: I mean its like 4 out of 5 calls this happens when yesterday everything was fine

Lex: May I have your magicjack phone number please?

Victor: xxx*xxx*xxxx

Lex: Thank you for that information.

Lex: One moment please...

Lex: Thank you for holding Victor.

Victor: no prob

Lex: Are you also experiencing the same problem as of the moment?

Victor: yes

Victor: started yesterday

Lex: Okay.

Lex: Did you run the upgrade yesterday?

Victor: yes

Lex: I see.

Lex: You are on xp right?

Victor: yes

Lex: okay.

Lex: Click Start

Lex: Click Control Panel

Lex: f your Control Panel is in Category View, double-click Sounds, Speech and Audio Devices

Lex: f not, go directly to the step 4

Victor: okay im in sounds and audio device properties

Lex: Double Click on Sounds and Audio Devices

Lex: Click the Audio tab (the middle one)

Lex: Under both Sound Playback and Sound Recording, select your default audio device (the one you want to use) from the drop down menu

Lex: Click the box labeled Use Only Default Device" (located in the bottom left corner of the window)

Lex: Click Apply and OK

Victor: ok

Lex: Is it done now?

Victor: yes

Lex: Okay Please restart your magicjack. On your dial pad click on Menu>advanced Users>>Restart.

Victor: well the good news is that before I restarted it I made 2 calls and all was well both times

Victor: just restarted so Ill try and call someone else

Lex: Please do.

Victor: well its 11:30 pm where I am but I got to tell I just bothered someone else and it worked fine

Victor: wow I guess you have to find the right tech lol

Lex: That's great

Victor: your like #3 today

Lex: Is there anything else I may help you with today?

Victor: Ill spread the word

Victor: no thanks and... thanks alot

Lex: Thank you for the compliment.

Lex: Thank you for stopping by to chat, I hope I did a good job at addressing your concerns. Please take a second to answer a one question survey about the service I provided. Please click the "close" button on the top right of this screen and the survey will appear. Thanks again!

Lex: Have a wonderful evening.

Lex: Please click the "close" button on the top right of this screen and the survey wil

[stmay]

I think its a bit uncanny that theres allready 3 threads 2 of which started today with people pileing up with the same exact problem.... Ive tried everything possible. and I mean everything... Its my opinion this is a update prob... a bug on their end

too many people at the same time having the ecaxt same prob

Yeah, I'm going to give up troubleshooting this on my end. I started having problems last night even with the computer plugged directly into the cable modem. It's got to be a problem on their end. There doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason for any of the issues.

[lunavic50]

well Ive made several phone calls today and to my surprise I think the tech in my above post nailed it.. I am once again somewhat happy with my magic jack. I strongly suggest people to follow what the almighty Lex suggests...

Its now working ..

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

well Ive made several phone calls today and to my surprise I think the tech in my above post nailed it.. I am once again somewhat happy with my magic jack. I strongly suggest people to follow what the almighty Lex suggests...

Its now working ..

Didn't work for me, sorry.

I have 4 computers in the house and it behaves like that in each one of them.

Two computers have Vista and there's no option to perform those steps in that OS.

[lunavic50]

Windows Vista:
1. Go to Start > Control Panel
2. In Control Panel, select the option that says Hardware and Sound
3. Under the listing for Sound, select Manage Audio Devices
4. Under Recording and Sounds tabs, you will find all available devices. To set a default device, right click on one of them and select Set as Default Device.