How to Fix Reverse Polarity in Phone Wiring

How to Fix Reverse Polarity in Phone Wiring
Published: Apr 15, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Though most phones can work regardless of this, reverse polarity can affect the proper functioning of equipment such as satellite television receivers and alarm systems. Fixing reverse polarity isn't something you have to pay the telephone company to fix for you.

  1. Remove the screws from the faceplate of the phone jack with the screwdriver.

  2. Ease the jack away from the wall. You don't want to inadvertently pull out any wires before you see where they are connected.

  3. Observe the back of the jack. Most jacks will have four colored wires: green, red, yellow and black. The incoming telephone cable that carries your dial tone and connects to the phone jack should be connected to the green and red terminals.

  4. Loosen the screws that fasten the telephone wires to the back of the phone jack.

  5. Switch the two wires around. Wrap the exposed copper end of the wire that was attached to green terminal to the red, and vice versa.

  6. Tighten the screws slowly. Inspect to make sure the wire stays in contact with the screw as you tighten it.

  7. Replace the jack and screw it back into the wall.

  8. Verify your connection by plugging in a known, working telephone and checking for dial tone.

Photo Credits

testeur de cable image by serge simo from Fotolia.com

testeur de cable image by serge simo from Fotolia.com

Sponsored
HomeSteady Logo

HomeSteady is the ultimate guide for all your household needs, from cleaning and HVAC to electrical, DIY and maintenance.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.