Setup: At and T Dect 6.0 Cordless Telephones EL51103 User Guide

AT&T DECT 6.0 Cordless Telephones EL51103

Introduction

The AT&T DECT 6.0 Cordless Telephones EL51103 is a reliable and feature-rich cordless phone system designed to meet the needs of both home and office users. Launched in recent years, this product has quickly gained popularity due to its robust performance, clear audio quality, and user-friendly interface. The estimated price range for this model is between $50 to $100, making it an affordable option for those seeking a dependable cordless phone system.

The primary purpose of the EL51103 is to provide clear and uninterrupted communication. It uses DECT 6.0 technology, which ensures interference-free calls and extends the range of the phone system. This model comes with multiple handsets, allowing users to place additional phones in different rooms, making it convenient for households or small offices.

Key features include a large backlit display, caller ID, call waiting, and a built-in phonebook that can store up to 50 entries. The phone also includes a digital answering machine with up to 14 minutes of recording time.

Telephone base and charger installation

Install the telephone base and charger as shown below. If you subscribe to high-speed Internet service (DSL - digital subscriber line) through your telephone line, you must install a DSL filter between the telephone line cord and the telephone wall jack. The filter prevents noise and caller ID problems caused by DSL interference. Please contact your DSL service provider for more information about DSL filters.

The telephone base comes ready for tabletop use. If you want to mount your telephone on a wall, refer to Wall mount installation on pages 9-11   for details.

Battery installation and charging

Battery installation

Install the battery as shown below.

1. Plug the battery connector securely into the socket inside the handset battery compartment, matching the color-coded label.
2. Insert the supplied battery with the label THIS SIDE UP facing up as indicated.
3. Align the cover flat against the battery compartment, then slide it upwards until it clicks into place.
4. Charge the handset by placing it face up in the telephone base or charger. The CHARGE light is on when charging.
5. To replace the battery, press he tab and slide the battery compartment cover downwards. Lift out the old battery and disconnect it from the handset. Follow the instructions above to install and charge the new battery.

Battery charging
Once you have installed the battery, the screen indicates the battery status (see the table below). If necessary, place the handset in the telephone base or charger to charge the battery. For best performance, keep the handset in the telephone base or charger when not in use. The battery is fully charged after 16 hours of continuous charging. See Technical specifications on page 71 for battery operating times.

If the screen is blank, you need to charge the handset without interruption for at least 30 minutes to give the handset enough charge to use the telephone for a short time. The screen shows Low battery until you have charged the battery without interruption for at least 30 minutes. The following table summarizes the battery charge indicators and actions to take.

NOTES:

• If you are on a call in low battery mode, you hear 4 short beeps every 50 seconds.
• If no battery is installed in the handset when you place it in the telephone base or charger, the screen shows No battery. Follow the instructions in Battery installation on page 7 to install the battery.

 After you install your telephone or power returns following a power outage, the handset will prompt you to set the date and time (see page 16). To skip setting the date and time, press OFF/CANCEL.

Wall mount installation

The telephone base comes ready for tabletop use. If you want to mount your telephone on a wall, use the provided wall mount bracket to connect with a standard dual-stud telephone wall mounting plate. If you do not have this mounting plate, you can purchase one from many hardware or consumer electronics retailers. Professional assistance may be required to install the mounting plate.

Tabletop to wall mount installation

To change the telephone base from a tabletop installation to a wall mount installation, make sure you first unplug the power adapter from the electrical outlet and the telephone line cord from the telephone wall jack.

1. Plug the power cord and telephone line into the telephone base. If you are using a DSL filter, plug the other end of the telephone line into the filter. Route the telephone line cord (or DSL filter) through the wall mount bracket hole.

2. Position the telephone base as shown below. Insert the extended tabs (see illustration 2 below) of the wall mount bracket into the slots on the back of the telephone base (marked B). Push the telephone base down until it is securely in place.

   

3. Plug the telephone line cord (or DSL filter) into the wall jack. Plug the power adapter into a power outlet not controlled by a wall switch.

4. Align the holes on the wall mount bracket with the standard wall plate and slide the wall mount bracket down until it locks securely. Bundle the telephone line cord and power adapter cord neatly with twist ties.

   

Wall mount installation

Wall mount to tabletop installation

To change the telephone base from a wall mount installation to a tabletop installation, follow the steps below.

1. If the telephone line cord and power adapter cord are bundled, untie them first. 
2. Push the telephone base up to detach it from the wall mount bracket. Unplug the telephone line cord (or DSL filter) from the wall. Unplug the power adapter from the power outlet. 
3. Push the wall mount bracket up to remove it from the wall.
4. Refer to the Telephone base and charger installation on page 6 to install the telephone base.

Troubleshooting

My telephone doesn’t work at all.

• Make sure the power cord is securely plugged in.
• Make sure that the battery connector is securely plugged into the cordless handset.
• Make sure the telephone line cord is securely and firmly plugged into the telephone base and the telephone wall jack.
• Charge the battery in the cordless handset for at least 16 hours. For optimum daily performance, return the cordless handset to the telephone base or charger when not in use.
• If the battery is depleted, charge the handset for at least 30 minutes before you use it. Refer to Battery charging on page 8 for details.
• Reset the telephone base. Unplug the electrical power. Wait for approximately 15 seconds, then plug it back in. Allow up to one minute for the cordless handset and telephone base to reset.
• You may need to purchase a new battery. Please refer to Battery installation on page 7.

I cannot get a dial tone.

• First,, try all of the suggestions above.
• Move the cordless handset closer to the telephone base. You might have moved out of range.
• If the previous suggestions do not work, disconnect the telephone line cord from your telephone and connect the telephone line cord to another telephone. If there is no dial tone on that other telephone either, then 
• the telephone line cord may be defective: try installing a new telephone ne cord.
• If changing the telephone line cord does not help, the wall jack (or the wiring to this wall jack) may be defective.
• Try using a different wall jack in your home to connect your EELL5511110033//EL51203/EL51253/EL51303/EL51353/EL51403/EL51453/EL51503 telephone, or contact your telephone service provider (charges may apply).

I cannot dial out.

• First,, try all the suggestions in the item I cannot get a dial tone above.
• Make sure you have a dial tone before dialing. The cordless handset may take a second or two to find the telephone base and produce a dial tone. This is normal. Wait an extra second before dialing.
• Check that all the telephones connected to the same telephone line are hung up.
• Make sure to set the dial mode to the correct setting (pulse dialing or tone dialing) for the service in your area (see Battery installation and charging on pages 7-8).
• Eliminate any background noise. Noise from a television, radio,, or other appliances may cause the telephone not to dial out properly. If you cannot eliminate the background noise, first try muting the cordless handset before dialing, or dialing from another room with less background noise.
• If other telephones in your home are having the same problem, the problem is in your wiring or telephone service. Contact your telephone service provider (charges may apply).

My cordless handset isn’t performing normally.

• Make sure the power cord is securely plugged into the telephone base. Plug the power adapter into a different, working electrical outlet not controlled by a wall switch.
• Move the cordless handset closer to the telephone base. You might have moved out of range.
• Reset the telephone base. Unplug the electrical power. Wait for 15 seconds, then plug it back in. Allow up to one minute for the cordless handset and telephone base to reset.
• Other electronic products,s such as HAM radios and other DECT phones,s can cause interference to your cordless telephone. Try installing your telephone as far away as possible from these types of electronic devices.

Out of range or no power at base appears on my cordless handset.

• Ensure that the telephone base is powered on.
• Place the cordless handset in the telephone base for one minute to allow the cordless handset and base to synchronize.
• Move the cordless handset closer to the telephone base. You might have moved out of range.
• Reset the telephone base. Unplug the electrical power. Wait for  15 seconds, then plug it back in. Allow up to one minute for the cordless handset and telephone base to reset. 
• Other electronic products,, such as HAM radios and other DECT phones,,  es can cause interference to your cordless telephone. Try installing your telephone as far away as possible from these types of electronic devices.

The batteries do not hold a charge.

• If the cordless handset is in the telephone base or charger and the charge light does not come on, refer to the item The charge light is off on this page.
• Charge the battery in the cordless handset for at least 16 hours. For optimum daily performance, return the cordless handset to the telephone base or charger when not in use.
• If the battery is depleted, it may take approximately 30 minutes to charge 
• You may need to purchase a new battery. Please refer to Battery installation on page 7.

The charge light is off.

• Make sure the power cord is plugged in correctly and securely.
• Make sure the battery is installed correctly in the handset. Follow the instructions in Battery installation on page 7 to install the battery.
• Unplug the electrical power. Wait for 15 seconds, then plug it back in. Allow up to one minute for the cordless handset and telephone base to reset.
• Clean the cordless handset and telephone base charging contacts each month using a pencil eraser or cloth.

 Get noise, static, or weak signals even when I’m near the telephone base.

• If you subscribe to high-speed Internet service (DSL - digital subscriber line) through your telephone line, you must install a DSL filter between the telephone line cord and the telephone wall jack (see Telephone base and charger installation on page 6). The filter prevents noise and caller ID problems caused by DSL interference. Please contact your DSL service provider for more information about DSL filters.
• Other electronic products,, such as HAM radios and other DECT phones,s can cause interference to your cordless telephone. Try installing your telephone as far away as possible from these types of electronic devices.
• Do not install this telephone near a microwave oven or on the same electrical outlet. You may experience decreased performance while the microwave oven is operating.
• If your telephone is plugged in with a modem or a surge protector, plug the telephone (or modem/surge protector) into a different location. If this doesn’t solve the problem, relocate your telephone or modem farther apart from one another, or use a different surge protector.
• Relocate your telephone to a higher location. The telephone will likely have better reception when installed in a high area.
• If the other telephones in your home are having the same problem, the problem is in your wiring or telephone service. Contact your telephone service provider (charges may apply).

I experience poor sound quality when using the speakerphone.

• For increased sound quality while using the speakerphone, place the handset on a flat surface with the dial pad facing up.
• When using a speakerphone, controlling background noise in your environment is essential. While you are listening to your party, press  
• MUTE/DELETE to temporarily turn your microphone off. When it is your turn to speak, remember to press MUTE/DELETE again to turn the microphone on.
• Excessive background noise will cause a speakerphone to fade in and out. Try controlling the background noise by turning off any audio devices near the speakerphone. Also, try to avoid interrupting the person at the other end of the conversation while they are speaking. If background noise cannot be controlled, you should terminate speakerphone operation and return to normal handset mode.

I hear other calls while using my telephone.

• Disconnect the telephone base from the telephone wall jack, and plug in a different telephone. If you still hear other calls, the problem is probably in your wiring or telephone service. Call your telephone service provider (charges may apply).

My calls cut in and out while I’m using my cordless handset.

• Other electronic products, such as HAM radios and other DECT phones,,s can cause interference to your cordless telephone. Try installing your telephone as far away as possible from these types of electronic devices.
• Move the handset closer to the base. The operating range may vary with environmental conditions and time of use. There may be places within your environment where a cordless telephone will not work well. If the problem only occurs in certain areas of your environment, you can conclude that there is nothing wrong with the telephone.
• Do not install this telephone near a microwave oven or on the same electrical outlet. You may experience decreased performance while the microwave oven is operating.
• If your telephone is plugged in with a modem or surge protector, plug the telephone (or modem/surge protector) into a different location. If this doesn’t solve the problem, relocate your telephone or modem farther apart from one another, or use a different surge protector.
• Relocate your telephone base to a higher location. The telephone will have better reception when installed in a high area.
• If the other telephones in your home are having the same problem, the problem is in your wiring or telephone service. Contact your telephone service provider (charges may apply).
• If you subscribe to high-speed Internet service (DSL - digital subscriber line) through your telephone line, you must install a DSL filter between the telephone line cord and the telephone wall jack (see Telephone base and charger installation on page 6). The filter prevents noise and caller ID problems caused by DSL interference. Please contact your DSL service provider for more information about DSL filters.

My cordless handset does not ring when I receive a call.

• Make sure that the ringer is not turned off. Refer to Ringer volume on page 13.
• Make sure the telephone line cord is plugged securely into the telephone base and the telephone wall jack. Make sure the power cord is securely plugged in.
• The cordless handset may be too far from the telephone base.
• Charge the battery in the cordless handset for at least 16 hours. For optimum daily performance, return the cordless handset to the telephone base or charger when not in use.
• You may have too many extension telephones on your telephone line to allow all of them to ring simultaneously. Try unplugging one telephone at a time until the telephone starts ringing.
• The layout of your home or office might be limiting the operating range. Try moving the telephone base to another locationpreferablyaa a paper floor floorr.
• If the other telephones in your home are having the same problem, the problem is in your wiring or telephone service. Contact your telephone service provider (charges may apply).
• Test a working telephone at the telephone wall jack. If another telephone has the same problem, the problem is the telephone wall jack. Contact your telephone service provider (charges may apply).
• Other electronic products s, such as HAM radios and other DECT phones, ,  can cause interference to your cordless telephone. Try installing your telephone as far away as possible from these types of electronic devices.
• Completely remove and then replace the battery. Place the cordless handset in the telephone base. Wait for the cordless handset to reestablish its connection with the telephone base. Allow up to one minute for this to take place.
• Your telephone line cord might be defective. Try installing a new telephone line cord.

My caller ID isn’t working.

• Caller ID is a subscription service. You must subscribe to this service from your telephone service provider for this feature to work on your telephone.
• Your caller must be calling from an area that supports caller ID.
• Both your and your caller’s telephone service providers must have callerID-compatible equipment.
• Make sure the home area code is set correctly in the telephone (see Home area code on page 17).
• If you subscribe to high-speed Internet service (DSL - digital subscriber line) through your telephone line, you must install a DSL filter between the telephone line and the telephone wall jack (see Telephone base and charger installation on page 6). The filter prevents noise,, and the caller
• ID problems caused by DSL interference. Please contact your DSL service provider for more information about DSL filters.

I cannot retrieve voicemail messages.

• If you subscribe to voicemail service from your telephone service provider (charges may apply), contact your telephone service provider for more information on how to access your voicemail.

 Subscribe to a nontraditional telephone service that uses my computer to establish connections, and my telephone doesn’t work.

• Make sure your computer is powered on.
• Make sure your Internet connection is working properly.
• Make sure that the software is installed and running for your nontraditional telephone service.
• Make sure to plug your USB port adapter into a dedicated USB port on your computer. Do not plug into a multiple-port USB hub (USB splitter) that is not powered.
• In a few rare instances, the USB port on your computer may not have enough power. In these instances, try using a USB hub with its own external power supply.
• If you are using a firewall, it may prevent access to your nontraditional telephone service. Contact your service provider for more information.

I’ve set my LCD language to Spanish or French,, and I don’t know how to change it back to English.

• Press MENU/SELECT in idle mode. Enter 364# using the dialing keys. You hear a confirmation tone.

Commocauseere for electronic equipment:
If the telephone is not responding normally, try resetting the telephone. Do the following in the order listed.

• Disconnect the power to the telephone base.
• Disconnect the cordless handset battery, and the spare battery, if applicable. Wait a few minutes.
• Connect the power to the telephone base.
• Completely remove and then replace the battery. Place the cordless handset into the telephone base.
• Wait for the cordless handset to reestablish its connection with the telephone base. Allow up to one minute for this to take place.

Maintenance

Taking care of your telephone

• Your cordless telephone contains sophisticated electronic parts, so it must be treated with care.
• Avoid rough treatment.
• Place the handset down gently.
• Save the original packing materials to protect your telephone if you ever need to ship it.

Avoid water

• Your telephone can be damaged if it gets wet. Do not use the handset in the rain, or handle it with wet hands. Do not install the telephone base near a sink, bathtub,, or shower.

Electrical storms

• Electrical storms can sometimes cause power surges harmful to electronic equipment. For your own safety, take caution when using electric appliances during storms.

Cleaning your telephone

• Your telephone has a durable plastic casing that should retain its luster for many years. Clean it only with a soft cloth slightly dampened with water or mild soap.
  Do not use excess water or cleaning solvents of any kind.
• Remember that electrical appliances can cause serious injury if used when you are wet or standing in water. If the telephone base should fall into water, DO NOT RETRIEVE IT UNTIL YOU UNPLUG THE POWER CORD AND TELEPHONE LINE CORDS FROM THE WALL. Pull the telephone out by the unplugged cords.

Important safety information

 Especially about cordless telephones

• Privacy: The same features that make a cordless telephone convenient create some limitations. Telephone calls are transmitted between the telephone base and the handset by radio waves, so there is a possibility that your cordless telephone conversations could be intercepted by radio receiving equipment within range of the cordless handset. For this reason, you should not think of cordless telephone conversations as being as private as those on corded telephones.
• Electrical power: The telephone base of this cordless telephone must be connected to a working electrical outlet that is not controlled by a wall switch. Calls cannot be made from the handset if the telephone base is unplugged, switched off o,, or if the electrical power is interrupted.
• Potential TV interference: Some cordless telephones operate at frequencies that may cause interference to TVs and VCRs. To minimize or prevent such interference, do not place the telephone base of the cordless telephone near or on top of a TV or VCR. If interference is experienced, moving the cordless telephone farther away from the TV or VCR will often reduce or eliminate the interference.
• Rechargeable batteries: This product contains nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries. Exercise care in handling batteries in order not to create a short circuit with conductive material such as rings, bracelets, and keys.
• The battery or conductor may overheat and cause harm. Observe proper polarity between the battery and the battery charger.
  Nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries: Safely dispose of these batteries. Do not burn or puncture. Like other batteries of this type, if burned or punctured, they could release caustic material,, which could cause injury.
• The RBRC™ Seal means that the manufacturer is voluntarily participating in an industry program to collect and recycle nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries when taken out of service within the United States.
• These batteries may be taken to a participating local retailer of replacement batteries or recycling center. Or you may call 1 (800) 8-BATTERY for locations accepting spent Ni-MH batteries.

Precautions for users of implanted cardiac pacemakers

• Cardiac pacemakers (applies only to digital cordless telephones): Wireless Technology Research, LLC (WTR), an independent research entity, led a multidisciplinary evaluation of the interference between portable wireless telephones and implanted cardiac pacemakers. Supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, WTR recommends to physicians that:

Pacemaker patients

• Should keep wireless telephones at least six inches from the pacemaker.
• Should NOT place wireless telephones directly over the pacemaker, such as in a breast pocket, when it is turned ON.
• Should use the wireless telephone at the ear opposite the pacemaker.
• WTR’s evaluation did not identify any risk to bystanders with pacemakers from other persons using wireless telephones.

ECO mode

• Power-conserving technology reduces power consumption for optimal battery performance. The ECO mode activates automatically whenever the handset is synchronized with the telephone base.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Limited warranty

What does this limited warranty cover?

1. The manufacturer of this AT&T branded product warrants to the holder of a valid proof of purchase (“CONSUMER” or “you”) that the product and all accessories provided in the sales package (“PRODUCT”) are free from defects in material and workmanship, pursuant to the following terms and conditions, when installed and used normally and in accordance with the PRODUCT operating instructions. This limited warranty extends only to the CONSUMER for products purchased and used in the United States of America and Canada.

What will be done if the PRODUCT is not free from defects in materials and workmanship during the limited warranty period (“materially defective PRODUCT”)?

1. During the limited warranty period, the manufacturer’s authorized service representative repairs or replaces at the manufacturer’s option, without charge, a materially defective PRODUCT. If the manufacturer repairs the
2. PRODUCT, they may use new or refurbished replacement parts. If the manufacturer chooses to replace the PRODUCT, they may replace it with a new or refurbished PRODUCT of the same or similar design. The manufacturer retains the defective parts, modules, or equipment. Repair or replacement of the PRODUCT, at the manufacturer’s option, is your exclusive remedy. The manufacturer returns the repaired or replacement products to you in working condition. You should expect the repair or replacement to take approximately 30 days.

How long is the limited warranty period?

1. The limited warranty period for the PRODUCT extends for ONE (1) YEAR from the date of purchase. If the manufacturer repairs or replaces a materially defective PRODUCT under the terms of this limited warranty, this limited warranty also applies to the repaired or replacement PRODUCT for a period of either (a) 90 days from the date the repaired or replacement PRODUCT is shipped to you or (b) the time remaining on the original one-year limited warranty; whichever is longer.

What is not covered by this limited warranty?

This limited warranty does not cover:

• PRODUCT that has been subjected to misuse, accident, shipping,, or other physical damage, improper installation, abnormal operation or handling, neglect, inundation, fire, water, or other liquid intrusion; or
• PRODUCT that has been damaged due to repair, alteration, or modification by anyone other than an authorized service representative of the manufacturer; or
• PRODUCT to the extent that the problem experienced is caused by signal conditions, network reliability, ty or cable, or antenna systems; or
• PRODUCT to the extent that the problem is caused by use with non-AT&T accessories; or
• PRODUCT whose warranty/quality stickers, PRODUCT serial number pl,,ates or electronic serial numbers have been removed, al,, altered or rendered illegible; or
• PRODUCT purchased, used, serviced, or shipped for repair from outside the United States of America or Canada, or used for commercial or institutional purposes (including but not limited to products used for rental purposes); or
• PRODUCT returned without a valid proof of purchase (see item 6 on the next page); or
• Charges for installation or setup, adjustment of customer controls, and installation or repair of systems outside the unit.

How do you get warranty service?

• To obtain warranty service in the United States of America, visit  www.telephones.att.com or call 1 (800) 222-3111. In Canada, dial 1 (866) 288-4268.
• NOTE: Before calling for service, please review the user’s manual. A check of the PRODUCT’s controls and features might save you a service call.
• Except as provided by applicable law, you assume the risk of loss or damage during transit and transportation and are responsible for delivery or handling charges incurred in the transport 
  of the PRODUCT(s) to the service location. The manufacturer will return repaired or replaced PRODUCT under this limited warranty. Transportation, delivery,y or handling charges are prepaid. The manufacturer assumes no risk for damage or loss of the PRODUCT in transit. If the PRODUCT failure is not covered by this limited warranty, if or proof of purchase does not meet the terms of this limited warranty, the manufacturer notifies you and requests that you authorize the cost of repair before any further repair activity. You must pay for the cost of repair and return shipping costs for the repair of products that are not covered by this limited warranty.

What must you return with the PRODUCT to get warranty service?  You must:

• Return the entire original package and contents,, including the PRODU,, CT to the service location along with a description of the malfunction or difficulty; and include a “valid proof of purchase” (sales receipt) identifying the PRODUCT purchased (PRODUCT model) and the date of purchase or receipt; and
• Provide your name, complete and correct mailing address, and telephone number.

Other limitations
This warranty is the complete and exclusive agreement between you and the manufacturer of AT&T-branded PRODUCT. It supersedes all other written or oral communications related to this PRODUCT. The manufacturer provides no other warranties for this PRODUCT. The warranty exclusively describes all of the manufacturer’s responsibilities regarding the PRODUCT. There are no other express warranties. No one is authorized to make modifications to this limited warranty, and you should not rely on any such modification.

State/Provincial Law Rights: This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you might also have other rights that vary from state to state or province to province.

Limitations: Implied warranties, including those of fitness for a particular purpose and merchantability (an unwritten warranty that the PRODUCT is fit for ordinary use),, are limited to one year frothe m the date of purchase. Some states/provinces do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation might not apply to you. In no event shall the manufacturer be liable for any indirect, special, incidental, consequential, or similar damages (including, but not limited to,, lost profits or revenue, inability to use the PRODUCT or other associated equipment, the cost of substitute equipment, and claims by third parties) resulting from the use of this PRODUCT. Some states/provinces do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion might not apply to you.

Technical specifications

• RF frequency band :1921.536MHz — 1928.448MHz
• Channels: 5
• Operating temperature; 32ºF — 122ºF 0ºC — 50ºC
• Telephone base voltag(AC voltage, 60Hz): 96 — 130VrmsTelephone base voltage (DC adapter output)AC6V @ 300mA
• Handset Battery Pack; 2.4V 300mAh Ni-MH
•  Charger voltage;(AC adapter output) AC6V @ 300mA
• Operating times*
  • Talk time (handset): up to 6.5 hours
  • Talk time (speakerphone): up to 3.5 hours
  • Standby: up to 5 days

Customer Reviews

Customers generally praise the AT&T DECT 6.0 Cordless Telephones EL51103 for its clear call quality, ease of setup, and reliable performance. Some users have noted that the battery life could be better and that there are limited customization options. However, overall, it is considered a solid choice for those looking for a dependable cordless phone system.

Common Complaints: