Many problems with magic jack

sisymay · Post by **sisymay** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 2:05 pm

Hi, we have used magic jack for about 2 weeks. There are many problems. Please let me know what I can do to fix the problems? The % shows how much of the time the problem happens.

1. When a call comes in, it is one continous ring and is very annoying. 100%

2. Most times when I try to make a call, there is no dial tone. I have to try numerous times (about 10) to get the dial tone. 75%

3. Most people who call me say that they hear a recording stating 'this magicjack caller can not be reached' or something like that. It takes them to an answering. 50%

4. Most calls break up, echo, and are staticy. 90%

5. Sometimes when I make a call, I dial the number and the dial tone continues and doesn't stop. The call will not go through. 80%

6. Sometimes when I answer a call, there is no sound. 95%

7. This happened one time- I was talking to someone and they had me listening to something on youtube. The phone beeped to tell me another call was coming in. (BTW It is a loud continous beep that gets on my nerves.) Anyway, when I got the other call, I could still hear the youtube sounds from the first call during the 2nd call. I went back to the first call and there was a loud sound like someone dialing numbers. When it stopped, things were ok.

8. This happened 2 times- when I make a call, the ring doesn't sound like the persons phone ringing, it sounds like MY phone ringing.

I think there are more problems that I can't remember right now. I'll be back when I think of them! THANKS SO MUCH!!

crackerjack · Post by **crackerjack** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 3:56 pm

You are describing a scenario that encompasses 3 deadly issues. Your internet connection is unstable, your PC is harboring uninvited guests impacting your performance and you have flaky USB hardware.
Resolution to the last 2 are well documented in these fora and you can validate the problems with your net connection by using any number of test sites mentioned here.

Barada Nels · Post by **Barada Nels** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 4:00 pm

Greetings,

Since you are having so many issues, I will just post my recommendations for any new MagicJack user:

#1. Make sure your phone has a low REN (Ringer Equivalence Number) rating. 1.0 or lower should be fine. The Uniden 6.0 DECT Cordless I have has 0.08 REN. It is only 20 bucks at Wal-Mart and you can add additional handsets for 10 bucks a pop. *** Low REN on the phone should solve your ringer issues. ***

#2. Make sure your internet connection is at least 128kbs upload and 512kbs download. Those are MagicJack's minimum requirements. Go to: www.speedtest.net to check it. Anything on that site above .5 download and .1 upload should be fine. As with almost anything in this world, the more the better though. *** If your internet is lower than the minimum this could be the cause of most of your issues. ***

#3. Most computer's USB ports are under powered. I.E. they do not supply enough power to run the MagicJack properly. Make sure to NOT use the USB extension cord that came with your MagicJack and have it plugged into the back of your computer. For good measure you can do what a lot of us have and buy a powered USB hub. I use a 2,000mA powered USB hub. Although I will agree it is a bit overkill, but I have no issues. *** If your MagicJack is not getting enough power this could be the cause of most of your issues. ***

#4. Manually update your MagicJack just incase they screwed it up on the last web-update.
If you are a Windows user: http://upgrades.magicjack.com/upgrade/upgrade.exe
If you are a Mac user: http://upgrades.magicjack.com/upgrade/upgrade.dmg
*** If they messed up your update it could be causing some of these issues. ***

#5. Make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for the MagicJack. Windows PC requirements are very low. But, Macs need to be Intel-based CPUs. Also check your system resources and make sure your computer is not being ran like a mule. This is hardly an issue on Macs but on Windows PCs this happens all the time. *** I doubt this is your issue. But, doesn't hurt to check it out. ***

#6. Do NOT remove your MagicJack from the USB port without safely removing on the Windows PC or Unmounting on the Mac. This can mess up the MagicJack for good. *** If you have been doing this, then your MagicJack hardware could have messed up and you will need to get a new one. ***

#7. If you are using a router in your home, try the MagicJack computer directly from the Modem. In some cases NAT Firewalls that are built into routers can cause issues or they may need certain ports to be forwarded. *** If this fixes your issue, you can try another router or Google: MagicJack + (Your Router) port settings. ***

8. Make sure your software Firewall and Anti-Virus are not causing issues. I know AVG was showing MagicJack as a virus for a little bit. I would recommend Avira Free Anti-Virus and Comodo Firewall. Avira leaves MagicJack alone and Comodo will ask if MagicJack is okay the first time you use it and then it will open up your connection for it from then on out. *** This is rather unlikely because most software will pop-up and let you know that it is blocking MagicJack. ***

Well, that is about all I can think of. If anyone else has something to add, please hop in! I hope some or all of this post helps you resolve your issues.

Sincerely,

Barada Nels

sisymay · Post by **sisymay** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 3:15 pm

thank you so much everyone! I will look into all these suggestions. Here's others I have thought of --

when someone calls, it is about 5-7 seconds before I can hear them.
Incoming calls don't show who it is on the phone ID, but it does on the magic jack screen on the computer.

Barada Nels · Post by **Barada Nels** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 9:25 am

sisymay wrote:thank you so much everyone! I will look into all these suggestions. Here's others I have thought of --

when someone calls, it is about 5-7 seconds before I can hear them.
Incoming calls don't show who it is on the phone ID, but it does on the magic jack screen on the computer.

The CID thing is either becuase of your phone, or because you need more power to the MagicJack. Follow the steps I have already listed and this issue should resolve itself.

nailgunner · Post by **nailgunner** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 2:15 pm

There is a 100k resistor solution discussed in here that might fix the CID issue. Cost a buck at Radio Shack and worked for me and many others. You might want to try that if nothing else works before buying a new phone.

damira 978 · Post by **damira 978** » Tue Jun 28, 2011 2:34 pm

I HAVE PROBLEM WIhtJ MAGIC JAKE it is posible to change adres tel number zip cod in tehe registatio thanks

bitstopjoe · Post by **bitstopjoe** » Tue Jun 28, 2011 3:27 pm

damira 978 wrote:I HAVE PROBLEM WIhtJ MAGIC JAKE it is posible to change adres tel number zip cod in tehe registatio thanks

No child left behind my ass!!!!

sisymay · Post by **sisymay** » Tue Jun 28, 2011 3:48 pm

thanks again everyone for your help. It is crazy around my house, and not sure when I can get around to doing all your suggestions. When I can I'll come back and let you know how everything turned out.
Don't get me started on NCLB, most people don't know the half of how corrupt it is!

bitstopjoe · Post by **bitstopjoe** » Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:18 pm

It was a joke because of the incoherent post damira978 made. I am still trying to decipher it...

nailgunner · Post by **nailgunner** » Tue Jun 28, 2011 7:30 pm

bitstopjoe wrote:I am still trying to decipher it...

It's Pig Latin for "Original Technical Postings Only".

VaHam · Post by **VaHam** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 12:08 am

nailgunner wrote:
bitstopjoe wrote:I am still trying to decipher it...
It's Pig Latin for "Original Technical Postings Only".

VaHam · Post by **VaHam** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 12:23 am

damira 978 wrote:I HAVE PROBLEM WIhtJ MAGIC JAKE it is posible to change adres tel number zip cod in tehe registatio thanks

I am going to assume that English may be a 2nd language for you and sorry for my laziness but it is the only language I speak.

That said I am not sure what you mean by "in the registration"?

You can change your telephone number by opening the softphone and thanks to a security flaw in MJ simply open the menu then advanced users
and clicking on MYMagicJack. This will open your account on the MagicJack website where you can change things like your email address and select a new phone number. At least in the past you were allowed to change your phone number once free of charge; but I am not sure if that is still the case or not since I have never done that.

If the address your asking about is the one shown in the 911 box on the softphone you can change it by simply typing in a new address there. It does take a little time before it takes effect sometimes and you'll know when it does when the 911 indicator turn green.

Best of luck!

nailgunner · Post by **nailgunner** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 4:34 am

VaHam wrote: At least in the past you were allowed to change your phone number once free of charge; but I am not sure if that is still the case or not since I have never done that.

They eliminated the one free change well over 6 months ago. At one point it was $5 for the first change and $10 for subsequent changes, it is now $10 for any change.

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Many problems with magic jack

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