Skip to Content

CCT: What Is the Best First Step When a Cisco IP Phone Has No Dial Tone?

Cisco IP phone with no dial tone? Discover why checking registration with Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) is the essential first troubleshooting step for the Cisco Certified Field Technician (CCT) exam.

Table of Contents

Question

A user reports no dial tone on their Cisco IP phone. What is the best first step?

A. Restart the router
B. Update the firmware
C. Reassign a new phone number
D. Reconfigure VLAN settings
E. Check if the phone is registered with Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM)

Answer

E. Check if the phone is registered with Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM)

Explanation

If the phone is not registered with CUCM, it cannot establish calls. Checking the phone’s registration status helps determine the issue.

The best initial step is to check if the phone is registered with Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM). Cisco IP phones rely on successful registration with CUCM to provide dial tone and call functionality. If the phone is not registered, it cannot receive the necessary signaling to play dial tone or establish calls. Common causes of registration failure include network issues, incorrect configuration, or CUCM server problems. Verifying registration status quickly identifies whether the issue is with phone connectivity to CUCM or if further troubleshooting is needed elsewhere.

A phone not registered with CUCM will not present a dial tone, as CUCM is responsible for sending the signaling required for dial tone and call setup. This makes registration status the critical first check in diagnosing dial tone issues.

Cisco Certified Field Technician (CCT) certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the Cisco Certified Field Technician (CCT) exam and earn Cisco Certified Field Technician (CCT) certification.