MagicJackPlus choppy sound issue

thealien · Post by **thealien** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 4:12 pm

I was just wondering how many more MJ+ users out there are having the same issue as me. Had my MJ+ for a couple of weeks now and I still can't use it as a stand alone (without a computer) as the sound of the conversation is chopped at both ends of the call. It comes and goes, like waves. A few minutes choppy, then a few minutes okay, then choppy again etc...

When plugged in my computer it is flawless. So for the time being that's how I'm using it, as a regular model. I've already heard of a few others on this forum who are having the same problem.

I already had many hours of chat with customer support, and they had me try a few things, but to no avail. It's not a router issue, as I tried plugging it directly in my cable modem. It's not a bandwidth issue either since I get 8Mbps constant.

I think it's an hardware issue inside the MJ+, or a network issue with between Ymax and MJ+.

Anyway, again I'm just curious to see how many others have a poorly working MJ+ ?

Thanks for any feedback.

scotty200 · Post by **scotty200** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 4:36 pm

i am having the same choppy sound like you yet some have had good sound i think some of the mjp are working good and others have faulty part that just the way it is we just have to live with it as it only $30 a year mj as a company don't care about it customers if it did it wold have good customer service they only care how much money they can get andthat it. it sucks but that how this company is

have a good one and i hope most of you have better luck thin i did

Melman · Post by **Melman** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:23 pm

[quote="thealien"]I was just wondering how many more MJ+ users out there are having the same issue as me. Had my MJ+ for a couple of weeks now and I still can't use it as a stand alone (without a computer) as the sound of the conversation is chopped at both ends of the call. It comes and goes, like waves. A few minutes choppy, then a few minutes okay, then choppy again etc...

When plugged in my computer it is flawless. So for the time being that's how I'm using it, as a regular model. I've already heard of a few others on this forum who are having the same problem.

I already had many hours of chat with customer support, and they had me try a few things, but to no avail. It's not a router issue, as I tried plugging it directly in my cable modem. It's not a bandwidth issue either since I get 8Mbps constant.

I think it's an hardware issue inside the MJ+, or a network issue with between Ymax and MJ+.

Anyway, again I'm just curious to see how many others have a poorly working MJ+ ?

I am replying as I am one of the MJ+ users that have a great success with phone quality and clarity. I would suspect that the majority of users that have this success are not posting here and the ones that have issues are here eager to have their MJ+ plus working like mine is. I would suggest looking at your ISP as part of the problem, and or looking at DNS to see if that would help solve that so called choppy phone calls when going through your router. I have a constant download speed at 30Mbps and my upload at 5Mbps. Go to this webpage and just for the heck of it try changing your Domain Name System Server to see if this would help it make a difference.
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/a ... l#tk.hp_fv
I have been a believer both to the original MJ and now the MJ+ and I hope that you find the fix for your setup.
MelMan

BethyM · Post by **BethyM** » Thu Oct 20, 2011 6:28 pm

My MagicJack+ is also choppy. I haven't tried it as a standalone because the phone lines aren't real handy to the computer.

I find the call quality to be almost intolerable

I hope there is a solution, I didn't realize the MJ+ was such a new product.

bitstopjoe · Post by **bitstopjoe** » Thu Oct 20, 2011 6:31 pm

As was posted elsewhere in this forum, try changing your setting to AIR CARD and see if that helps.

BethyM · Post by **BethyM** » Thu Oct 20, 2011 7:46 pm

It appears that is a setting on the soft client. Like most of the threads I've read, they don't seem to apply if using the MJ+ as a standalone. Is there instructions on how to make this change for the MJ+? If I plug it into the computer and make the change with the device 'remember' it when I move it back to stand alone.

bitstopjoe · Post by **bitstopjoe** » Fri Oct 21, 2011 5:51 am

Yes you need to plug it into the PC for the softphone to come up. Then click on the Air Card setting. Since others did that and then they said it worked afterwards, I have to assume they did it that way. The pc and then as a standalone. Worth a shot, isn't it?

BethyM · Post by **BethyM** » Fri Oct 21, 2011 5:19 pm

Tried it. Call quality seems to be a bit better.

The annoying beep however, has not gone away

hsweiss · Post by **hsweiss** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:38 am

Melman wrote:I was just wondering how many more MJ+ users out there are having the same issue as me. Had my MJ+ for a couple of weeks now and I still can't use it as a stand alone (without a computer) as the sound of the conversation is chopped at both ends of the call. It comes and goes, like waves. A few minutes choppy, then a few minutes okay, then choppy again etc...

When plugged in my computer it is flawless. So for the time being that's how I'm using it, as a regular model. I've already heard of a few others on this forum who are having the same problem.

I already had many hours of chat with customer support, and they had me try a few things, but to no avail. It's not a router issue, as I tried plugging it directly in my cable modem. It's not a bandwidth issue either since I get 8Mbps constant.

I think it's an hardware issue inside the MJ+, or a network issue with between Ymax and MJ+.

Anyway, again I'm just curious to see how many others have a poorly working MJ+ ?

I am replying as I am one of the MJ+ users that have a great success with phone quality and clarity. I would suspect that the majority of users that have this success are not posting here and the ones that have issues are here eager to have their MJ+ plus working like mine is. I would suggest looking at your ISP as part of the problem, and or looking at DNS to see if that would help solve that so called choppy phone calls when going through your router. I have a constant download speed at 30Mbps and my upload at 5Mbps. Go to this webpage and just for the heck of it try changing your Domain Name System Server to see if this would help it make a difference.
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/a ... l#tk.hp_fv
I have been a believer both to the original MJ and now the MJ+ and I hope that you find the fix for your setup.
MelMan

Changing DNS servers will not fix any sort of choppiness problems. When magicjack initializes, it tries to connect to its default server and logs in. If it can't reach its default server, it tries to connect to backup servers. This is when magicjack makes DNS calls. Once the connection is established with the server, no more DNS calls need to be made. The choppiness is due to 1) connecting to an over subscribed server; 2) an underpowered PC (e.g., too many processes running w/too little RAM causing paging or pegged CPU); or 3) process priority issues.

You can easily increase the priority of the magicJack process to "above normal" and see if that fixes anything. You can also try to shut down as many processes on your machine as possible if its a cpu or memory challenged box (e.g., if you are on an old XP box with only 512M ram). You can try to figure out what your default server is (look at the Wiki or search this forum for lots of info on how to use Wireshark to do this) and then block access to that server via either the Windows routing table or your router's configuration. That will force majicjack to seek out a different (and hopefully better) server.

BethyM · Post by **BethyM** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 12:49 pm

Again, your solution only applies to Magic Jack used in conjunction with a PC. I'm going to assume that, like me, most people paid extra for MagicJack PLUS so they could use it as a standalone. I hope MJ fixes the sound quality and beeping issues!

Kif Kroker · Post by **Kif Kroker** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 1:28 pm

BethyM wrote:Again, your solution only applies to Magic Jack used in conjunction with a PC. I'm going to assume that, like me, most people paid extra for MagicJack PLUS so they could use it as a standalone. I hope MJ fixes the sound quality and beeping issues!

I think what others are saying is that you should try 1)to connect your mJ+ to your USB port on your computer, 2)set the softphone to "Aircard", 3) shutdown and remove the mJ+ from your computer, and 4) connect it back directly to your router and see if you notice improvement.

I do not have a mJ+ myself, so I don't know if that will fix your problem, but I believe that is what others are suggesting as a possible fix.

Dave

ddd228 · Post by **ddd228** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 12:30 am

YUP! I'll try the air card setting for a while.I'll assume that uses a cell phone carrier signal?I wonder if it will work plugged into my wireless router.It is closer to the cordless phone I usually use.
I did cut off Comcast phone service and I don't care if the rate goes up for my internet and BASIC cable service.I don't watch"TV",anyway. I'm a HULU addict,totally.
I have good power to the USB ports if I decide to switch back and a LOT of memory in my desk top.

My cell service is Verizon and it's great and I have a cheap phone,too.I use the cell when Magic Puke acts up.

So far so good.

scotty200 · Post by **scotty200** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 1:24 pm

i did the air card setting and now it much better

work good so far i am a happy again

so if like you your getting choppy try the air card setting it works for me and other i wold think

have a good one

Kif Kroker · Post by **Kif Kroker** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 2:34 pm

ddd228 wrote:I'll assume that uses a cell phone carrier signal?

It just uses a different codec that needs less bandwidth.

Dave

Graham Hall · Post by **Graham Hall** » Fri Nov 11, 2011 5:53 pm

I purchased the MJ plus six weeks ago. I was initially disappointed since I had the intermitant choppy voice issues along with annoying beeps with some incoming calls. However, when plugged into my PC these issues were not present. I tried swapping out the ethernet cable provided for a better quality one, switching phones and even asked my ISP for a new modem, all to no avail. I even unplugged all the phones in the house since I thought that my DSL connection was unable to handle both voip and POTS.

However, magically for the past week, these issues have totally disappeared. In fact the MJ plus quality has been exactly the same as my POTS line. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this trend will continue. I wonder if maybe MJ updated their server to which I am connected or even if they moved me to a different server. In any event, I am now satisfied with the service. Maybe those still experiencing these problems will have the same luck as I have had and the problem will go away.

PissAnt · Post by **PissAnt** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 9:22 am

I was having same issue using MagicJack Plus. Replacing the original Ethernet cable with a better quality one solved all issues. Hope this helps everyone else to.

Kerroj · Post by **Kerroj** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 1:28 pm

Kif Kroker wrote:
BethyM wrote:Again, your solution only applies to Magic Jack used in conjunction with a PC. I'm going to assume that, like me, most people paid extra for MagicJack PLUS so they could use it as a standalone. I hope MJ fixes the sound quality and beeping issues!
I think what others are saying is that you should try 1)to connect your mJ+ to your USB port on your computer, 2)set the softphone to "Aircard", 3) shutdown and remove the mJ+ from your computer, and 4) connect it back directly to your router and see if you notice improvement.

I do not have a mJ+ myself, so I don't know if that will fix your problem, but I believe that is what others are suggesting as a possible fix.

Dave

I am completely new to MagicJack (2 weeks) and I have MJ+. I was having this issue as well, people I was talking to complained that I was cutting in and out sound-wise. This simple solution worked for me and I am happy and relieved (I did not want to go back to Vonage.) Thanks to all who posted this information! My girlfriend and I were talking on the phone today at length and she said I sounded "perfect" on the phone w/o any issues.

rnoonan · Post by **rnoonan** » Mon Jan 09, 2012 6:17 pm

I have a MJ+ that works great without the computer, so I bought one for my mother. Unfortunately, she was having the choppy sound/electronic beep issues mentioned here. After reading this thread, I removed her MJ+ from the outlet and plugged it into the computer. Simply doing this was not really an improvement, however, changing the setting to "Air Card" did fix the problem completely. My Mom was thrilled.

I then shutdown the MJ+ and took it out of the computer and set it back up with the outlet (no computer). Unfortunately the problems came back. Returning it to the computer gets it to work correctly again (the "Air Card" setting is selected all the time now).

Based on this, I do not believe the "Air Card" setting follows the MJ+ once it is disconnected from the computer. If anyone knows of a way to get the MJ+ to operate in Air Card mode w/o the computer, I'd love to know how to do it. I still need to call customer support to see if they can tell me anything, and I'll post back if I learn anything new.

One note, I did a speed test and her 1.5Mbps/128Kbps service seems to be providing only about 330Kbps/220Kbps (with 21ms latency). So that is probably the reason she needs the Air Card setting. I told her to call her ISP to find out why the service is so poor, but the upload speed she is getting is faster than she is paying for and so I'm concerned that with her service she will never have the bandwith needed to use the normal setting. Does anyone know what kind of bandwidth is needed for good experience with the MJ+?

Thanks a lot.

Kerroj · Post by **Kerroj** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:00 pm

Kerroj wrote:
Kif Kroker wrote:
BethyM wrote:Again, your solution only applies to Magic Jack used in conjunction with a PC. I'm going to assume that, like me, most people paid extra for MagicJack PLUS so they could use it as a standalone. I hope MJ fixes the sound quality and beeping issues!
I think what others are saying is that you should try 1)to connect your mJ+ to your USB port on your computer, 2)set the softphone to "Aircard", 3) shutdown and remove the mJ+ from your computer, and 4) connect it back directly to your router and see if you notice improvement.

I do not have a mJ+ myself, so I don't know if that will fix your problem, but I believe that is what others are suggesting as a possible fix.

Dave

I am completely new to MagicJack (2 weeks) and I have MJ+. I was having this issue as well, people I was talking to complained that I was cutting in and out sound-wise. This simple solution worked for me and I am happy and relieved (I did not want to go back to Vonage.) Thanks to all who posted this information! My girlfriend and I were talking on the phone today at length and she said I sounded "perfect" on the phone w/o any issues.

Update: People I talk to are complaining again of choppy sound/cutting in and out. I hear it on my end sometimes, but it seems worse on their end. Today, I found out when my uTorrent is off, the choppiness is mostly gone I'm told.. hmmm. Some sort of router issue I think so I'll have to investigate the forums here further...

bitstopjoe · Post by **bitstopjoe** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:17 pm

Dude..... You have a limited amount of bandwith!! So using Utorrent to u/l and d/l sucks that up. So YES you will get choppiness when you are using Utorrent and MJ at the same time.. A little common sense goes a long way.
Look to see if your router has any QOS settings and if yes, give priority to your VOIP packets... That should help with your choppiness as you are using Utorrent, OR just pause Utorrent and talk..

Kerroj · Post by **Kerroj** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 4:40 am

bitstopjoe wrote:Dude..... You have a limited amount of bandwith!! So using Utorrent to u/l and d/l sucks that up. So YES you will get choppiness when you are using Utorrent and MJ at the same time.. A little common sense goes a long way.
Look to see if your router has any QOS settings and if yes, give priority to your VOIP packets... That should help with your choppiness as you are using Utorrent, OR just pause Utorrent and talk..

Well, I was going by my previous VOIP experience which was Vonage and I had no such issues with that as I do w/MJ+, so forgive me for not having any "common sense." Thanks for your feedback, though, and I did see some possible solutions today at various threads/links in these forums including QoS settings, etc. At worst, I'll just have to pause my uTorrent when talking (I'm enjoying the savings too much by using MJ+ vs Vonage.) Is there any sort of bandwidth-booster available that could possibly be used?

bitstopjoe · Post by **bitstopjoe** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:28 am

There used to be but it is no longer made. it was called the Hawking BB1 ( Broad Band booster, HBB1) I have one ( thank you again, Darkman) and I can torrent my butt off and there is no effect on my VOIP. it goes between your modem and router and is basicly a hardware QOS.
MAYBE you can find one on Ebay or a local Craigslist.

Kerroj · Post by **Kerroj** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 9:58 pm

bitstopjoe wrote:There used to be but it is no longer made. it was called the Hawking BB1 ( Broad Band booster, HBB1) I have one ( thank you again, Darkman) and I can torrent my butt off and there is no effect on my VOIP. it goes between your modem and router and is basicly a hardware QOS.
MAYBE you can find one on Ebay or a local Craigslist.

Thanks for the info! I searched/researched for the Hawking HBB1 (among other similar items) last night on eBay, Amazon, Google, iOffer, and Craigslist. I saw one on eBay yesterday that I was going to bid on, but the price went over what I wanted to pay (sold for $42.99 shipped.) Instead, I scored one on Bonanza (via Google search) for $31.99 shipped, complete w/all accessories.

Thanks again, Dude!

bitstopjoe · Post by **bitstopjoe** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 6:54 am

Very welcome.
Be sure to check to see it has the latest firmware, 1.2.0.
You can get it on their web page. Sadly since they no longer make this unit this is and most likley will be the last firmware for it. When I got mine it had the older firmware and didn't work so hot, the update really helped.
Let me know how it works out for you as I said for me it works perfectly.

Kerroj · Post by **Kerroj** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:23 am

Thanks for the heads up on the firmware. I'll definitely check that out.

bitstopjoe · Post by **bitstopjoe** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:34 am

Ok, keep me posted on how it works out for you..

Remember, it goes between your router and modem, if you have a combo modem/router it will not work, unless you put a switch inbetween.
Be sure to use a good quality Cat 5 cable for all connections. I have heard the one which comes with the Plus is a piece of crap and has caused some headaches for some users.

Mayo · Post by **Mayo** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 6:10 pm

I am still having issues with this and I ahve tried everything in this thread any more ideas?

Mayo · Post by **Mayo** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 10:25 pm

For me I have sorted the issues...(the cracks and beeps)

1) I made my Magic Jack DMZ on my router.

2) On top of it i opened ports 5060, 5070, 49152, 65525 on my router.

3) I used panasonic cordless phones.

4) I upgraded the firmware to the latest for my magic jack.

but in the end the real issue seemed to be...

the location of my magic jack and phone lines... I had them all scattered behind my tv and mixed with my cat 5 cords and router. The MAgic Jack was on a power bar with 10 other things...
From what I read the cat 5 cords/router can interfere with the magic jack (causing cracks and beeps) ..
5) so it better to use a 20foot cat 6 cord(got a new one) and get the magic jack as far away from the router and cords as possible... Directly after moving the phone cords and the magic jack to its OWN plug bang NO clicking NO beeps it works great WOOT !!

So get your magic jack away from your cords and mess and try to keep it as far away from your router as possible and try again... I hope this works for you it did for me.

agametically · Post by **agametically** » Sun Dec 16, 2012 12:54 am

Had bad audio quality on the receiving end and good on the sending end while using MagicJack+. Discovered that my son was using utorrent. He stopped and the bad audio quality completely disappeared. I have 8 megs down and 1 meg upload speed. Not using torrent program definitely fixed my audio problem completely.

mh1983 · Post by **mh1983** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 9:45 am

You can usually control the bandwidth allocation limits in torrent clients themselves. Simply lower the limits for downloads and uploads.

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MagicJackPlus choppy sound issue

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