Yealink Phone Searching For Base? (Let’s Fix It Fast)

yealink phone searching for base

If you’re receiving the “Yealink phone searching for base” error, there is an effective solution!

The searching for baseerror is only typical for cordless Yealink handsets, meaning that the stationary unit cannot receive this error. Hence, it is typically a result of registration or AC supply faults.

We believe that the following methods (if done correctly) will have the biggest impact:

  • Pair the Yealink phone with the base in the correct way.
  • Ensure your base station is registered with the handset.
  • Check if your base station has developed a power issue.
  • Upgrade the firmware of both the base unit and handset.
  • Perform a factory reset on the base unit and the handset.

Keep reading further to uncover how to apply each of the solutions in detail!

How to Fix the Yealink Phone Searching for Base Error?

Tip: Have you tried simply powering off the base station and the handset altogether?

1. Pair Yealink Phone with the Base

pair yealink phone with the base

As the error itself suggests, the Yealink phone could be searching for the base because it has failed to connect.

The first step is to use the “Wi-Fi” symbol button on the base to re-send the wireless signal and connect the handset.

  • The Yealink handset must remain within a 10-foot radius during the pairing!

Follow these steps to pair the Yealink phone with the base:

  1. Ensure the base is properly connected to a power supply.
  2. Locate the “Wi-Fi” or “Pairing” button on the under panel.
  3. Press and hold the button for 3 seconds without releasing.
  4. On the handset, press the OK button and go to the Menu.
  5. Next, charge the handset and check if the error is still there.

Move Within the Yealink Base’s Range!

The Yealink phone must remain within ~150 feet of the base in an indoor situation at all times.

Even if the handset is charged to maximum capacity, moving out of that range could potentially result in the “searching for base” error, as both devices must maintain a wireless connection.

Note: It’s also recommended to keep the Yealink handset charged over 50% to ensure the stable functionality of all the wireless services.

2. Re-register your Yealink Handset

re-register your yealink handset

In case of an unsuccessful pairing, the first thing to check is if the Yealink handset is registered with the base.

Both devices connect over a private wireless frequency that can only work if the base exists in the Yealink phone’s registration database.

Follow these instructions to register the Yealink handset with the base:

  1. Remove the handset from the base and press the “OK” key.
  2. Access the “Settings” menu and navigate to “Registration.”
  3. Next, select the “Register Handset” option from the section.
  4. After that, type down the registration PIN – “0000” or “8647.”
  5. Wait until the handset successfully registers the base station.

Note: If the registration fails or the handset displays an unknown error, get in touch with Yealink support, as this could be a server-related issue.

3. Check the Base Station Power Supply

check the base station power supply

If registering did not help with the Yealink phone says searching for base, the next step is to ensure that the base receives a stable power supply.

So, a potential power insufficiency or consistent fluctuations will cause the handset to lose its reception and display the base error.

So, there are multiple things to check in the Yealink base’s power supply:

  • Verify the base’s power connector is connected securely.
  • Test the Yealink base’s power adapter in a different outlet.
  • Remove third-party equipment or connectors in the setup.
  • Check for obstructions in the A/C outlet or the base’s port.
  • Inspect the power cord of the base for potential damages.

How to Detect Unusual Power Behavior?

If your handset’s base does not receive a stable electrical supply, there might be apparent signs such as rebooting, powering off, or flickering of the LED.

This could lead to charging issues with the handset or the accelerated development of HW issues, both with the base and handset.

4. Check for Wireless/Physical Interference

check for wireless/physical interference

Even if the handset is on the base’s surface, there could still be interference caused by wireless devices or solid nearby obstacles.

The type and strength of the interference will really depend on the handset and base’s position, as it could either be wireless or physical, as clarified above.

We recommend considering the following sources of interference:

  • Nearby devices communicating with 2.4 GHz Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
  • RF transmitters, such as radios, baby phones, or cellular receivers.
  • Solid obstacles in between the handset and the base unit’s radius.

If you do not generally keep the handset on top of the base, physical obstructions can be a real threat.

Consider freeing up a path or keeping both devices in the same room to avoid interfering with walls or solid obstacles that the signal cannot travel through easily. 

5. Update the Handset and Base’s Firmware

update the handset and base’s firmware

Updating the firmware of the Yealink handset and the base should eliminate underlying issues with the wireless connection.

For this purpose, you must access the web user interface of the handset using the phone’s IP address and manually upload the update file, with the firmware.

5.1 How to See the Base & Handset Firmware?

  • To check the firmware version through the handset menu, go to “Settings” → “Status” → “Base” or “Status” → “DM” for the 78H.
  • To check the firmware through the web interface, access the panel, go to “Status” and check the first field on the menu.

5.2 How to Access the Web Interface of Yealink?

  1. Open the “Settings” menu on your handset and head to “Status.”
  2. Copy the exact IP address from the menu and save it on your PC.
  3. Type down the IP address in the search field of your web browser.
  4. Use admin/admin or admin/password to sign in to the interface.
  5. Check the current firmware version of your Yealink phone below.

5.3 How to Download the Firmware for Yealink?

how to download the firmware for yealink
  1. Access the firmware downloads page of Yealink on your PC.
  2. Specify your phone series and model from the on-screen tab.
  3. Download the firmware version both for your phone and base.
  4. Store the firmware files in an accessible directory on your PC.

5.4 How to Update Yealink Base and Handset?

  1. Access the web user interface of your Yealink phone device.
  2. Access the “Upgrade” or “Firmware” tab from the side menu.
  3. Click on “Browse…” next to Select And Upgrade Firmware.
  4. First, upload the base station’s firmware you’ve downloaded.
  5. Find the “Select and Upgrade Handset Firmware” in the GUI.
  6. Select “Browse…” and upload the handset’s new firmware file.
  7. Next, wait until both devices have finalized the update and test.

Note: The update of both the base and handset takes between 2–3 minutes on average, based on the upload performance.

6. Factory Reset the Base and the Handset

factory reset the base and the handset

A factory reset is the ultimate solution if a Yealink cordless phone searching for base to no avail. 

You can perform a factory reset on both the base and handset to ensure there aren’t any issues with the wireless connection or the registration.

6.1 How to Factory Reset Yealink Base Station?

  • To reset the W70B base station, unplug the network cable from the back of the unit and long-press the “Paging” button, while reconnecting the network cable.
  • To reset the W80 or W90 base station, press the “Device” key on the back panel for up to 20 seconds without unplugging the unit to start the reset.

6.2 How to Factory Reset Base From Handset?

  1. Press the “OK” button on your handset and go to “Settings.”
  2. Select the “System Settings” button and then “Base Reset.”
  3. Select the “Reset to factory” button from the options below.
  4. Wait until the handset recognizes and resets the handset unit.

Note: This procedure will only work if the handset is successfully paired with the base station!

6.3 How to Factory Reset the Yealink Handset?

factory reset the yealink handset
  1. Press the “OK” button on the Yealink handset’s keypad.
  2. After that, navigate to “Settings” → “System Settings.”
  3. Choose the “Handset Reset” option from the menu tab.
  4. Confirm the reset procedure and wait until Yealink resets.
  • Do not interact with the base or the handset for at least 2–3 minutes after the reset starts.

You may have to re-register your handset if you have also reset the base station to factory defaults.