Home House & Components Systems Electrical System Wiring

Replace a Wall Phone Jack and Phone Jack Wiring

Updated: Aug. 28, 2019

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Replace a wall phone jack

Photo 1: Disconnect the old wall phone jack

Loosen the terminal screws on the back of the jack and disconnect the phone jack wiring.

Photo 2: Connect the new wall phone jack

Pinch the wire sheathing against the back of the new jack with your thumb. Hold the tip of the bare wire with a needle-nose pliers, and wrap it clockwise around the terminal screw.

When your phone quits working or static develops on the line, your phone jack may need to be replaced. We’ll show you how to handle the phone jack wiring and replace that phone jack. Remove the two screws on the jack faceplate and disconnect the old jack (Photo 1). Hold on to the wire when you remove the jack so it doesn’t slide out the back of the box. If the ends of the wires are free of corrosion, you can reuse them, but if not, cut them back (leave enough wire to work with) and strip off 1/2 in. of sheathing. Photo 2 shows you how to reconnect those wires. If the wires from the wall and the jack are the same color combination, simply match them up. If they don’t match, see the chart. Before you mount the new jack to the wall, make sure the bare wires don’t touch each other.

Required Tools for this wall phone jack project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

• 4-in-1 screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers

Required Materials for this wall phone jack project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.

• New wall jack