Two different things people mean
“Connecting a router to a telephone line” can describe two separate situations:
- Router to the phone line for internet (DSL). The router or modem plugs into a wall phone socket to get internet.
- A phone plugged into the router. You connect a handset to the router so you can make calls over the internet (VoIP).
Identify which one you need first, because the cables and ports differ.
Connecting a router to a phone line for DSL
If your internet comes over a phone line, your router or modem needs a DSL port, often labelled DSL or Line. Use the cable supplied by your provider to connect that port to the phone wall socket. Many setups use a microfilter (also called a splitter) so phones and the DSL signal share the line; your provider’s instructions will say where it goes. Fibre and cable internet do not use this connection (see do you need a special router for fiber internet). If the DSL light stays off after connecting, read no DSL light on your router.
Plugging a phone into the router’s phone port
Some routers, often ones supplied by a provider for a home phone service, have a port labelled Phone, Tel, Telephone or FXS.
- Find the port on the back or side of the router.
- Connect a standard telephone cable (RJ11) from the phone, or its base station, to that port.
- Power on the router and wait for the status lights to settle. Many routers show a phone light (see what the lights on your router mean).
- Pick up the handset and listen for a dial tone.
The router usually needs to be set up with your calling service. Provider-supplied routers are often preconfigured. If not, you may need to enter account details in the router’s settings.
No phone port: use an ATA
If your router has no phone socket, an analog telephone adapter (ATA) bridges your phone and the network.
- Connect the ATA to a router LAN port with an Ethernet cable.
- Plug the phone into the ATA’s phone port.
- Power the ATA, and the phone base if it needs power.
- Open the ATA’s settings page and enter the account details from your VoIP provider.
- Wait for it to register, then test for a dial tone and make a call.
For wider guidance, see our VoIP router setup guide.
Does a landline have to be plugged into the router?
Not always. If your landline is a traditional copper service, the phone plugs into the wall socket, not the router. It only needs the router when the phone service is delivered over your internet connection. Plugging a phone into a router or modem that has no phone port does nothing, and a phone port on a provider router generally works only if the provider has enabled phone service on it. Check with your provider if unsure.
“Connecting Wi-Fi to a telephone” is different again. A standard analog phone cannot use Wi-Fi directly. You need an ATA, a Wi-Fi-capable IP phone, a cordless phone whose base is connected to the router, or a calling app.
Phone connected but no dial tone
- Confirm the cable is in the phone port, not an Ethernet or DSL port.
- Check that your phone service is active on the account.
- Restart the router, and the ATA if you use one.
- Try a different phone or cable to rule out faulty hardware.
- Look for an unregistered status in the router or ATA settings.
If the dial tone is there but calls fail or sound poor, see VoIP not working on Wi-Fi, and consider turning off SIP ALG if your router allows it.