Just got a new VOIP841 because I really want an always connected Skype phone without having to keep a computer on all the time. I was able to set up the phone and log into my Skype account without problem. I can see my contacts etc, so everything looks ok. However, when I try to make a Skype or Skypeout call, it looks like it connects but there is no sound (either direction). Same thing if I ring into my Skype account, the phone rings, I can answer but no sound in either direction.

I am connected via Linksys 54G wireless router (with the VOIP841 box plugged into one of the router's ethernet ports) and have a fast 3MB/sec broadband connection.

Skype works fine via a computer through the same connection and yes, I did make sure that I was not logged into my Skype account on the computer when trying to use the VOIP841 phone.

Any suggestions?

thanks

Hello, and sorry to hear about the problem with your phone. I do not believe your issue is going to be due to the fact you are signed into Skype via your PC at the same time you try to make a call on your phone. I have been connected both ways (Phone and PC) and had no problems.

Did you setup port forwarding on your router to go specifically to your PC's address? I am not sure this is the issue, just a question.

Are you able to connect to the phone's web interface to check the settings?

Thanks. No I did not set up any kind of port forwarding, but have been thinking about trying to set that up to point to the phone's IP address and see if that helps. I did not try to log onto the phone's web interface, pretty sure that will work and will try in a couple of hours when I get home.

Assuming I can log on; are there any settings that you would suggest trying to change via the phone's web interface ?

Good news, its now all working fine. I got an email back from Philips and they suggested that the firmware may be corrupted and to try downloading the bin file from their web site and "upgrading" the firmware (it was actually the same version as already installed). This immediately fixed the problem, I made no other changes.

So bottom line to anyone having similar problems - do a firmware upgrade. It is very simple via the web interface and takes about 3 minutes.

LeoG - thanks for the post as I just got my new phone today and had the exact same problem. I went to the website and downloaded the firmware and hey presto - it works now!

Thanks

I thought it unlikely that I would be the only one with a phone delivered with a corrupted firmware. I don't know too much about how firmware can get corrupted, but I hope that this is not the kind of problem that can recur.

Anybody who understands more about firmware than I do who can offer an opinion as to whether a particular piece of hardware that appears to be being delivered with the occasional phone having corrupted firmware on arrival - does that indicate some hardware or firmware issue which might repeat itself on the same unit ?

I had this unit working fine, it then took an overseas tour, battery ran flat etc etc and the audio didnt work, just as described above. (ring signal heard, but no audio either way on skype call

To fix the problem I did a full reset (settings, advanced, reset device) and the skype audio came back.

(by the way, the landline audio worked all the time)

Just thought I would add my report here. I had exactly the same problem with the Voip841 delivered today, so this corrupted firmware is a widespread issue. Downloaded and applied firmware upgrade and all works fine. Thanks for the information and thanks to Google for finding the entry on the forum

Hi,

I got the phone on Monday after a very long three week wait and cannot get it to work. It can connect to my router fine and can log in to my skype account to retrive my contacts and I can ring skypeout and skype to skype, but the minute anyone answers the call all I hear is severe crackling and hssing, it's almost as if I can hear some of the words coming through but generally it's just crackling. Have updated firmware to current version on Philips website (1.0.4.50). I can make landline calls with it fine. My Pc Skype works fine through my router (it's Linksys wireless router wrt54gc). I've got the current skype software on the phone by using sw update on the phone. I've also set up my router to forward tcp/udp to the app port that is used by the phone. I'm now at my wits end. Was so looking forward to using this and now have shelled out 109 quid for a phone that just gives static, aarrghh!

Have contacted Philips support and they said to move the base station and handset unit away from any electrical appliances which I have done so, I switched everything in my flat off as well for good measure except the phone, router and broadband modem.

They said if none of that works then I need to get it replaced by returning it to where I bought it. OK, if I do go down that route, Skype say that if it develops a fault under warranty the manufacturer replaces it. Am waiting to hear back about that. Regardless of what happens with returning etc, has anyone got any ideas about what might get this to work, or is it indeed likely to be just a faulty phone?

Thanks for any help, I will really appreciate it!

Euan

ps have cross posted this in connectivity forum asw ell as that was a relevant area for this as well

I also have the same audio problem

If I do a full reset it is ok for a few days but then same thing happens and I reset again to fix

I tried doing a firmware upgrade via the handset but it says Iam already on the lastest release.. is there a way for doing it from the web directly?

Hi,

You're lucky, I have never been able to hear anything. I am posting it back to Skype for a replacement :-(

Anyway, you can get the firmware update by clicking on the 2nd link here:

http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/...archtxt=voip841

Select software and drivers from the meun on the left and follow on screen instructions.

You will then need to access the web interface for the phone by putting the i[ address of the phone in your browser (find it using menu/advanced/information) then username is philips, password is voip841.

Select the system option and then follow instructions to upgrade. I tried this and it still didn't do anything, hope you have better luck!

Euan

Firmware corrupted again today. HAd to reload again. I have emailed Philips to see what their response is. Worked fine for a day or two and then corrupted. NOT GOOD. I do have the phone sitting close to my wireless router so will try to relocate to see if that makes things better

Hi Chris - I've had the same problem (silence on skype calls) - did you ever get any joy with this??

Bigpaw

Hi everybody!

I had the same problem with my parents' Philips VOIP841.

First of all the hardware version of the phone is VOIP11B/37.

After plugging it into their Linksys 54G wireless broadband router, (just like as with the user, LeoG) the phone wanted to perform a firmware update. I allowed this.

I was told by the phone that the firmware update went sucessfully and the new version was V1.0.4.50.

I diden't test the phone at that time as I was visiting for the weekend and could first test the phone from my own skype profile when I got home.

A few days after I got home I wanted to call my parents but they appeared offline. I called through their regualr phone and they told me that on the display of their phone it said that it was resetting. The same screen had been on for days.

First I got them to remove a battery from the phone. Nothing happened.

Secondly I got them to remove the power cable from the base, count to 5 and apply power again. Now the phone seemed to function properly.

I tried to call them through skype and the phone rang as it should, but when accepting the call there was just silence in both mine and their handset. Just the same problem as you other guys experience.

I guided my parents through the manual firmware update using the current version from www.philips.com, (This was V1.0.4.50, the same version as the one allready on the phone). After the procedure was completed we tested the skype line again, and everything worked fine.

It's only been working for 24 hours so far so I can't tell you whether the problem has been resolved for good. I'll post another message if the problem reappear.

I have the same problem form the start. Landline fine, log in OK. I can establish the communication but it works like the mic is muted. I can hear anyone either. I have reset the phone several times , updated the firmware and tried several router settings and nothing.

Here my 5 cents regarding the VOIP8411b/37

- Phone connected and worked immediately w/o any problems (Skype + Landline)
- head set connector with connected headset prevents phone being properly inserted into the charger
- After just 3 weeks using the phone mainly with headset, the soldering of the 2.5mm jack broke
(had to open the phone and solder it back again)
- Called via SkypeOut my SkyeIn number -> phone 'crashed' (had to pull out the batteries)
- No speed dial for landline numbers (10 would be fine)
- Have to set audio volume always to MAX for landline calls
- Skype calls are fine
- Shiny display might soon be full of scratches
- Phone (landline) rings delayed ( a few seconds later than my normal phone)

I like the phone despite some minor trouble. Ordered another handset (VOIP8410) ... some time ago. Where is it and what features will it provide (possible to have different Skype account? etc)?

Guys I just bought the same phone. I think the issue with the sound might relate to your initial login.

The area code function only works in the UK and US. If you are not in the UK or US type in your country code but leave the Area Code blank.

When I first used the handset I put the area code in (I dont live in UK and US) and the phone would ring but I could not hear the other person and they could not hear me. Doing a full reset and leaving the Area code blank resolved the problem.

Overall very happy with the phone does anybody have a source for spare handsets in Europe and know if you can hook the system upto an answering machine. ?

BJ

Thanks a lot but it did not worked either. Everything looks to be fine but no one can hear me on skype calls. Landline works fine .

Just started to notice problems with this phone.

Mostly when there is activity on the network, the calls will be dropped (both skypein/out) but it COULD be a router problem or bad QoS, so I recently set up the phone on the DMZ port and we'll see how that goes.

The main problem I noticed was that while SkypeOut calls were of very good quality, SkypeIN was awful and just plain unacceptable and I had to call the person back.

This might be a common problem with cordless phones - I am having the same effect on a standard cordless handset.

Apart from this, figure out which port the phone uses (somewhere in advanced settings) and forward this port in your router to the phone's IP address for TCP and UDP traffic; if necessary assign a fixed IP.

I am not having any problems on SkypeOut or landline except from a very slight echo in the handset from time to time.

I swapped the phone AND moved the base away from the wireless router - no problems with the new one yet after a month.

I removed part of the chargers plastic housing on the left side (with a hot soldering iron covered in aluminum foil) and I can now leave the headset plugged in while charging the phone. The headset jack does not touch the charger at all.

Well, after another 6 weeks using the voip841 with a Plantronics headset, the phone internal 2.5mm jack broke again.
Re-soldered it and it works ... but for how long. The plug is too much of a lever, causing the phone internal soldering to the circuit board to brake.

Well, and multiple headsets have to use all the same Skype account (hope a firmware upgrade can solve that in the future). Looks more that the base station is managing the Skype account and not the phone itself.

Another strange thing I experienced is the display of the battery load level. At times the unit shows full battery load and after taking out the batteries and inserting them again, the load level is down to 2/3 and less. But overall ... it never completely run out of juice.

... just ordered a 3rd handset ;-)

Hi did you ever find a solution to your question about hooking up an answering phone?

About call quality - I had the same problem initially (calls being dropped / bad call quality) - turned out the router was set to 10MB/s (showing an orange light on my Netgear router) instead of the full 100MB/s (showing a green light on the Netgear router). You can change the setting via the web interface (it is not available on the phone menu) - log in to the web interface, select the Network option, change the connection type to DHCP, and the link speed to Auto.

This solved all my problems - the only thing is, if we have a power cut, have to go through it all again.

Hope that helps!

Similar problem to mine. I have a French Orange (ex Wanadoo) ADSL connection & a Netgear DG834G router with the voip841.

On setup (for the voip phone) the router automatically set 10 mbps (amber light) and I changed this to the 'Auto' setting resulting in a green light now (any re-boot returns it to the amber light).

The phone will call the recipient both by land line and Skype out and the recipient can then hear me. However, I can't hear the other person unless I turn on the speaker (during the call) with the button on the bottom right of the phone. Calling echo123 results in a normal response except that I can't hear her voice without again putting on the speaker.

I have downloaded the latest version of the firmware (1.0.4.80) which hasn't made any difference.

I have tried port forwarding which doesn't work either and I have tried several re-boots.

My Skype works perfectly on my Mac and PC.

Does anyone have any ideas for the next step in the elimination process or does it sound like a faulty handset that has to be returned?

Many thanks in advance.

I hope someone can help me with this. I basically have a cordless landline phone now.

Issue:
i bought my VOIP841 a few weeks back and have had no luck using the phone through skye. i can use it fine as a land line. i upgraded my firmware as per the update on this forum. my phone allows me to login in to skype. the phone screen shows that i have .09 Euro credit. i live in the US and have enough USD in my account. i have skype in and skype out. i also do not have my contacts uploaded on my phone. can someone tell me if they have had the same issue and how they resolved it. my phone is plugged into the router.

My 2 weeks old VOIP841 works fine (I'm in the US), but I also see 0.09 Euro credit, even though I'm using Skype Unlimited. My Skype contacts do show up on the phone.

I have basically the same issue. I got the phone today and so far it works great except I too cannot get Skype contacts to show up. Actually, I have two Skype accounts, and if I log in to my secondary one (used for a "pet camera" when on vacation) then the contacts do show up properly. But when I log in to my main account with Skype In and Skype Unlimited, then I get no contacts. I have tried logging in to both accounts both with and without the computer logged into the same account, and it makes no difference. I updated the firmware in case it had been corrupted, but to no avail. Also did a full system restart. I found that I can program in new contacts on the phone and they work fine, but they don't show up on the PC version of Skype. And yet, if I call my Skype number then the PC and Philips phone both ring simultaneously, so they're both connected up just fine. It's almost as if there are two independent phone books being kept for my single account.

I had a similar problem on my new VOIP 841. Charged it, set it up and tried to call.

The landline worked perfectly.

The SkypeOut feature dialed, rang, and when the recipient picked up, the line went dead on my end and their end, before either of us could connect.

I even went so far as to sign out of Skype on my computer, but SkypeOut still didn't work.

Called Philips and got the rudest customer service rep I have ever spoken with, he was no help and told me to contact Skype via e-mail.

I then started reading this board, but could not figure out what a firmware update was. Found the firmware update instructions on the Philips website (http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/v/voip8411b_01/voip8411b_01_fur_eng.pdf) and read them. I still could not figure out what a firmware update was! My phone software info said I had the current software update, and no update was necessary.

I began to suspect that the software update must have taken place on my initial registration with the connecting device. I scrolled down to the end of the firmware update instruction sheet (whatever that is), and read the final instruction:

"To finish the upgrade, remove one battery of the handset, and then put it back. Your product will restart, and invite to sign in."

I took the chance that the phone had automatically updated itself upon initial registration, and might just need a restart.

I proceeded to remove one battery.

When I put it back in, Skype worked just fine. This should have been the first thing the customer service rep suggested!

No thanks to the Philips customer service rep, who is singlehandedly trying to shut down a good company, I am a happy Philips owner.

The phone is great, and so is this forum!

Did you ever resolve above issue? I'm having a similar problem. All my skype AND skypeOut contacts transferred over to the phone the very first time I logged into my account on the phone. But, from that point forward, new skypeOut contacts that I type on the PC, do not show up on the phone and vice-versa (though normal skype contacts work just fine). Yeah, it looks like there are 2 seperate skype-out phone lists; one for the PC and one for the phone, for the same skype account.

It's a very cool phone, but a few of these minor things spoil the experience... For the above issue however, it's hard to say if this is a phone issue or skype account contact management issue. I guess if Phillips/skype was really selling a lot of these devices, they would take care of these problems, but I think there is a very small market for these phones at the moment and probably not worth it for Phillips to make improvements to this product.

After about a month of use the problem magically fixed itself. I just double-checked a moment ago and when I added a contact on the PC it updated on the phone the next time I logged in (I put the phone Offline, then put it back Online), and when I deleted it from the phone then it disappeared off the PC too. Weird, but I'm happy with the phone now that it mysteriously started working properly.

Hey Kuroyama, thanks for that tip! It works for me now too... however, it's a little flakey... it works only sometimes. I noticed that to make it work everytime, I have to put the phone off-line, sign-out of skype (not just go offline, but actually "sign off") on the PC, and then sign back in on the PC, go online on skype and then online on the phone... and does the trick everytime! Not too painful I guess since I don't add new contacts too often, and when I do I prefer to add on the PC since my Outlook contacts are all there so it's just a matter of taking the Outlook contact and "adding" it as a skypeOut contact. It's a shame we can't directly see the Outlook contacts on the phone too, but that's asking a bit much from the first rev of this skype phone. I'm a happy camper now

Hey guys, I have a weird problem. The phone won't connect to skype at all. Obviously my internet is working fine, and oddly enough, it worked before I moved when I had a DSL connection through a router. Now that I have Cable and a router, it won't work. It doesn't have an IP address so i can't update the Firmware. I tried it without the router, and still nothing? Is it broken?

Well, if you say the phone doesn't have an IP address, it seems that that is the problem... check if it is DHCP enabled and if so if your router's DHCP server is active. Otherwise you will have to configure it all manually.

I also have one issue with this phone that I have posted in another topic in the forum but here it goes again...

Anyone having their internet connection disconnected after stopping a phone conversation (both VoIP and DECT)? I am getting really annoyed with this.

All else works but I cannot pick up the phone if I have a download going as I know that, at the end, I will have everything stopped... the same for online gaming, etc... frustrating.

I have this issue too. I have only noticed it with VoIP though. Asked both Philips and Skype about it, but neither takes any responsibility or even tries to help. Really frustrating. I had to cancel my SkypeIn number because of this. This phone is virtually useless to me.

I have a DLink DIR-120 router, but I really doubt that has anything to do with it.

yeah, I have a netgear so its really a skype/philips issue... that's really bad.

I use it but makes my life hell... and its Philips most likely as it happens with both DECT and VoIP... something is messed up in the phone software...


MR Philips how about a firmware update???????????

Sometimes the easiest answer is the right one... check if your telephone splitter is well installed.

The problem is that the phone doesn't come with a BT (1308) type connection... damm proprietary connectors and it was not properly done here (had a clever solution (or so I thought) but I need to buy and adaptor.

Will let you know if it works. But it will I guess.

Thanks MR PHILIPS (or their support services)

so far I don't have any problem with VOIP841. It is pretty good and well designed! My wife and I love it very much. Check out my review on VOIP841 at http://en.network01.net/modules/newbb/view...=10&forum=8

HI I am new to this forum and I find the layout confusing. Where is the post message link.

I bought a voip 841 Philips and don't know how to create an account to my skype account.

How do I type alphanumeric letters to sign in to my account. I can get a dgk but not inbetween . These phones are not that terribly complicated are they? I bought it for my wife who has one useable hand. Please I cannot figure this phone out.

I cannot display the create new account.

Thanks in advance

Leighton

HI all,
I noticed the same problem. I noticed it, when the skype on my computer and the VOIP connected at the same time. If you want the VOIP phone to work, make sure no other skype is working on your network.
The problem is because the skype on the computer and VOIP phone using the same ports.