Changed battery on portable phone and not getting a dial tone, but am getting a dial tone from stationary handset. it is ge digital answering phone model # 27881ge2-a

notify phone provider to check and test lines

Check the Battery on the Handset. remove the pwr frm the base unit n connect aft 30 sec. aft this if it still says the same msg, then the handset needs to be replaced.

Does the Phone Power Up?
1. When you pick up your GE cordless phone and press a button, the phone should beep as a confirmation that a button has been pressed. If the telephone handset does not beep, or if it does not respond to any buttons, the battery may be in need of a recharge. Verify that the cordless phone base unit is plugged in to an electrical source, then place the handset into the charging cradle. If no lights illuminate on the phone, or if charging fails to correct the issue, clean the metal charging contacts on the cordless handset and place the phone back on the charger. If it still fails to respond or to charge, the unit may need to be serviced or replaced.
Does the Battery Hold a Charge?
2. If the cordless phone charges up and appears to be ready for use but dies after only short periods of use, the internal rechargeable batteries may need to be replaced. Replacement batteries are widely available at electronics and discount retail stores. Note your phone's exact model number, as this number will be necessary when purchasing a replacement battery.
Listen for a Dial Tone
3. If the GE cordless phone powers on, and beeps when you press keys, but no dial tone is heard, one of three problems is the likely culprit. The phone's batteries may have an insufficient charge to fully power the phone, a condition that can be corrected by simply placing the phone back in the charger. If the batteries are charged, but no dial tone is heard, it is also possible that another telephone in your home or office is "off hook" or in use; verify that all telephones, fax machines and modems are securely on the hook. If there is still no dial tone, your telephone service may have been disconnected or require service by your local telephone company.
Listen for Static
4. On some GE cordless phone models, particularly older models, static may be heard if the radio signal between the handset and base unit experiences interference. Common sources of interference include unshielded electronics, appliances, and radio transmitters, as well as high-tension power lines. If your phone offers an option to change channels, try several different channels to see if the static is eliminated. If static continues to exist, or if static can be heard on wired phones sharing the same line, your telephone line may require service.
Verify Your Handset is Registered
5. Some models of GE cordless phones may display a message on the display screen that the handset needs to be registered. If this message appears, move the handset close to the base unit and press the "Prog/Mute" button near the bottom of the handset. Next, press the "Pager" button on the base unit (your handset may instruct you to perform this step). Finally, press the "Prog/Mute" button on the handset one more time to complete the registration process. Your GE cordless phone should now work correctly.The GE Cordless Phone brand is designed to deliver the conveniences of cordless home service with quality sound and features. There are many models of the GE Cordless Phone. The most current models, including the DECT 6.0, have standard features such as call waiting, caller ID, visual ring indicator, phone number memory and digital answering systems .
   
6. Before you use your GE Cordless Phone, ensure that you have all the parts. Your cordless phone package should include the phone base, a handset battery pack, a battery compartment cover, the cordless handset, a wall mount bracket, and a telephone line cord and AC power adaptor. Once you have confirmed that you have all of your parts, insert the handset battery pack into the handset and replace the battery compartment cover. Insert your telephone line cord and the AC power adapter into the phone base. The phone base identifies the telephone line as TEL LINE and the adapter as AC. Plug the phone base into the electrical socket. Place the cordless handset into the base. Allow the phone to charge for at least 16 hours before its first use. Failure to fully charge the battery before its first use will result in poor battery performance.
7. Once you have fully charged your phone, you can proceed with setting up your phone's features. If your cordless phone includes an answering system, complete this setup process first. Turn on the answering system by pressing the on/off button. The message indicator light will display. The cordless phones are defaulted to English as the selected language. To change your language preference, press the "Skip" button for two seconds. The language will change to Spanish. Next, you will set up your voice time and day stamp. While the answering system is on, press the "Answer" button on your handset for two seconds. The phone will enter the answerer mode. Press the "8" key. This will take you to the time/day setup menu. Use the number keys to set the hour and minutes. Use the volume up and down arrows to set the AM/PM. Press "#" to save. The cordless handset will also require that you give it a name. Press the "Mute" button for two seconds until the handset reads "ENTER NAME." Enter the name of the handset by using the touchtone keypad. Press the "Mute" button to save. Enter the default area code by pressing "Mute" until the phone displays "AREA CODE." Enter your three-digit area code and press the "Mute" button to save.
8. GE Cordless Phones are designed to be simple and convenient to use. To place or answer a call, press the TALK button. You can pre-dial a number by dialing the number before pressing the TALK button. When you are ready to make the call, press TALK and the phone will dial automatically. To answer a call that is waiting on the other line, press the FLASH button. If you experience call interference or bad reception while on a call, press the CHANNEL button until your line clears
9. 
   

That isn't a whole lot to work with. Get a working phone and take the cord out of the base of the GE and plug it into the working phone.
If the working phone gets a dial tone, look into the modular receptical on the GE base and see if the contact wires aren't out of place.
If you don't get a dial tone on the working phone, try changing the connection cord between the phone and the wall. Also look for the same problem in the wall receptical as discribed above for the GE base.

Another tip is to remove the battery from the handset for at least 5 seconds. You might want to get a voltage meter and check the voltage on that new battery - maybe it isn't charging properly.

no dial tone. the handset shows "searching".

All you have to do is put the phone that does not get a dial tone on the MAIN CHARGING BASE for 20 seconds! it will then sync up!

Good luck!

Hi,

Did you pay the Bill ?

this seems as if it,s incoming calls only. Check the line with an alternative Phone. This will verify the lines good. And eliminate that One.
Also check if theres A Tone/Pulse setting.
This can also have adverse effects.
If this is on an adaptor fitting with internet access, try removing the adaptor, and plugging the phone direct into the Socket.
Or try the phone on a seperate or diferent Socket.

Hope This helps.

Mike @ compurepair.

Dial tone is OK, but can't dial out
• Make sure the tone/pulse setting is programmed
correctly.
TONE/PULSE DIALING
1. Make sure the phone is OFF (not in TALK mode).
2. Use the CID/VOL left (-) or right (+) arrow button to
scroll to 1TONE or 2PULSE, or use the touch tone
pad on the handset to enter the desired setting. For
example, to choose TONE dialing, press the number 1
key. 1TONE is the default setting.
3. Press flash/program to store selection. You will hear a
confirmation tone.

I found a manual from AT&T that had the information I needed. Thanks!