So… What’s This Weird Little Wall Port?
May 17, 2025
Source: Reddit
I moved into a new place. Unpacking, I repeatedly noticed these strange wall plates with tiny rectangular ports. First thought? Ethernet. Tried plugging in a cable. No dice.
They were RJ11 phone jacks — the kind you would use to plug in a landline phone. Not Ethernet. Not useful for streaming. Just a regular old phone jack.
The OG Communication Hub
Prior to smartphones and Wi-Fi, homes did this through the RJ11 phone jack. Homes had one in practically every room. Bedroom, kitchen, hallway. Sometimes even bathrooms.
The RJ11 used a 6-position 3 conductor connector with 2, 4, or 6 wires (2, 4, or 6P2C, 6P4C, 6P6C). Simple, reliable, everywhere.
Why Are There So Many?
Builders set up jacks for the phone in every room so you could plug in anywhere. No Bluetooth, no wireless headsets — just a long, spiral cord and a wall-mounted phone. If you had been waiting for a call, you had better not miss it because you were in the wrong room.
Can an RJ11 Phone Jack Still be Used?
Yes, if landline service is still a thing. Some are used with security systems or fax machines. Most don’t use them at all.
It’s essentially unused hardware in the wall. There’s no risk, no signal, just a residual.
What Can You Do With Them?
- Ignore It
It’s not hurting anything. Most people just leave them.
- Swap the Faceplate
Pick up a blank wall plate. Unscrew the old, screw on the new. Clean look.
- Convert It
Some jacks come with CAT3 or CAT5 wire. If so, and you feel comfortable with wiring, you might be able to turn it into Ethernet. No, that means its the case of re-terminating the cable and going into your network gear. Only worth it to get hardwired in that room.
A Bit of Nostalgia
RJ11 jacks are a relic of another tech age. They are simple, a little dated and, strangely, comfortable. You don’t need them anymore, but they were once symbols of how to keep people connected — even if that connection carried some static and a busy signal.