MagicJack Plus is a great little device and it works great plugged into your computer's USB port, but many people have complained they can't use the unit as designed -- plugging it directly into the Verizon wireless router. The obvious advantage is the fact you don't have to keep your computer on. I called Verizon help and the customer support person didn't know how to help; nor did the magicJack Plus techie gurus. Some web sites talking about the infamous MJ+ error message "23" and state you must check your firewall, reboot this and that -- which will only frustrate new MJ+ users even more.
Fortunately, I came across a web site developed by Jason Bergman which pointed me in the right direction. I responded to his blog when my MJ+ finally was recognized by my wireless router. Now I can use my new Internet connected phone when my computer is shut down. Finally! Okay, enough chatting. Here's is my response -- I hope it will help anyone trying to use the MJ+ on the FIOS network.
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Error 23 solved! First, I want to state my deep appreciation to the following expert on magicJack: I accessed Jason Berger's web site:
https://jaysonberger.com/faqs/index.phpaction=artikel&cat=20&id=208&artlang=en&highlight=error+23
I learned that many devices you connect to any router will not work if it doesn’t recognize the MAC address assigned to the device. Don’t worry about the meaning of “MAC” — I didn’t know it either. According to wikipedia, “a Media Access Control address (MAC address) is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communications on the physical network segment.” By the word “interface” think of the two devices, in this case your router and the MJ+, that must communicate together. In order for your router to recognize your magicJack, you must teach the router the MJ’s MAC alpha/digit address. Okay, again I didn’t know how to find that either until I followed Jason’s link suggestion above. First plug in your MJ+ into your computer’s USB port and ensure it is turned on and you have a dial tone. Then, enter Jason’s website. After you click on the link “DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE TO REVEAL MAGIC JACK PLUS MAC ADDRESS” you can open up the resulting site and copy down the alpha/digit MAC address. Note: MAC addresses include zeros, not the letter O. So if you see a 0 as one of your digits, it is a zero. I'm not sure if you really have to have the MJ+ plugged in when you do this, but it won't hurt, right? Okay, now that you have your needed address, you must open up your router’s master control (or some other name) to enter the address. According to Jason’s link, you may have different brand routers — I have the Verizon Ultraline Series 3, 9100EM. Fortunately for me, the router’s Internet web address was the first one listed in his instructions: 192.168.1.1. Once opened, I had to create a password — I left the “user” name as “admin.” Write down your password, because you may have to re-open the router’s control for other devices — word on that later. Okay, now that you have access to the router’s controls, make sure you don’t start fooling around with areas you have no clue what they do — you may soon be paying a FIOS technician to reset your entire system. On top of your router’s screen, click on “Wireless,” then open “Advance Security Settings.” About the middle of the page, you’ll see where it states “Wireless MAC authentication.” As you move your cursor over these three words, click on the highlighted link and you’ll see where you can click on and then enter a “New MAC Address.” Enter the 6 sets of alpha/digits — two each in each box which is separated by colons (:). After entering the MAC address, click on “OK.” On the next screen you’ll see the new address; double check that the address is correct, then click on “Apply” at the bottom of the page. You're almost done!
Next, ensure you turn up your volume on your MJ+ before you disconnect it from your USB port. Once you have the unit plugged directly into your router, you will not have access to the MJ popup screen.
Supposedly, according to the MJ gurus, the unit will retain the volume setting when you plug it directly
into your router. Now, remove the MJ+ device from the USB port and following the original directions, plug your device into one of the Ethernet ports, plug in your phone line, and then plug the unit into your electric outlet. Ready? Check your phone line — you should have a beautiful sounding dial tone! If your computer screen states, “plug in your magicJack” — simply click on the red exit “X” and ignore the message.
Unfortunately, one solution may cause another problem. You may have noticed when you were setting up the MAC address in your router, you were limiting access to external devices by entering their specific address — this may knock out other devices you have on your wireless network — because you did not list each device. For example, I have a new ROKU box to connect my TV to the Internet. And you guessed it, I had to find the MAC address for my ROKU to reconnect it to the Internet. I followed the same steps and voila! It works as good as new. I had to do the same for my wife's wireless connected laptop as well.
Good luck if you’re receiving the infamous “Error Code 23.″ My attempt to have the Verizon router recognize my maicJack Plus worked for me — I sure hope I’ve helped someone. If I forgot a step in the above explanation, please write it down so everyone will benefit. Again, my hat is off to you Jason — thanks for your help.
Sincerely, AirforceJohn
