Troubleshooting - Answering machine does not operate correctly

Troubleshooting "When a call comes in the answering machine does not ring".

Press the speakerphone on the base unit or if it does not have a speakerphone press the [Talk] button on the a handset.

When a call comes in the answering machine continues to rings but does not answer.

Check the following in the order listed.

• If the answering machine ring count is set high the caller may hang up before the answering machine is programmed to answer. Most answering machines can be set to 6 or seven rings. Checj the ring count then test again.
  To check the ring count.
  1. Press [MENU # 2 1 1]. The current ring count is displayed. If you want to change the ring count,
  2. Press the arrow up ▲ or down ▼ to select the desired ring count.
  3. Press [SAVE].
  4. Press [OFF].


• Confirm that the telephone is connected to a standard home phone line. If it is being used in a business situation it may be connected to a digital phone system. A digital phone system is typically in an office where you can transfer calls, there may also be a switchboard. This telephone answering system is designed as a home use system that operates on standard home telephone lines. Connect the telephone answering system to a standard home telephone line and test the answering machine again.


• To eliminate the possibility that there is a problem with the telephone line jack, plug the base unit into a different telephone line jack. Confirm the answering machine is turned on, and test again.

After troubleshooting as described above if the answering machine still does not function properly refer to the Telephone Warranty and Repair guide for information on product repair.

The answering machine answers the call, but does not play the greeting, the caller hears silence and cannot leave a message.

Check the following in the order listed.

• The greeting message may have been erased, reset the greeting message.
  1. Press [MENU # 3 0 4].
  2. Press [YES].
  3. Press [OFF].


• Check the callers recording time. If the recording time is set to “Greeting only” the answering machine does not allow callers to leave a message.
  1. Press [MENU # 3 0 5].
  2. Press the arrow up ▲ or down ▼ to select the desired record time.
  3. Press [SAVE].
  4. Press [OFF].


• Make sure that you do not have Voicemail service through your telephone service provider. If you do have Voicemail service, it may be answering the call before the Panasonic answering machine. The problem may be with the Voicemail service. You need to decide how you want to use the Voicemail service with your Telephone answering machine. Refer to "How to use a Voicemail service with a telephone company when you have a telephone with an answering machine.".


• The answering machine memory may be full. Erase some messages. Refer to "How to erase messages" in the "How to set up a Panasonic telephone answering machine" guide.


• Confirm that the telephone is connected to a standard home phone line. If it is being used in a business situation it may be connected to a digital phone system. A digital phone system is typically in an office where you can transfer calls, there may also be a switchboard. This telephone answering system is designed as a home use system that operates on standard home telephone lines. When connected to a business line some features like ringing and making a call may operate OK, but others like the answering system may not work properly. Connect the telephone answering system to a standard home telephone line and test the answering machine again.

After troubleshooting as described above if the answering machine still does not function properly refer to the Telephone Warranty and Repair guide for information on product repair.

The answering machine answers the call, the greeting message is played, but the caller can not leave a message.

Check the following in the order listed.

• Check the callers recording time. If the recording time is set to “Greeting only” the answering machine does not allow callers to leave a message.
  1. Press [MENU # 3 0 5].
  2. Press the arrow up ▲ or down ▼ to select the desired record time.
  3. Press [SAVE].
  4. Press [OFF].


• Make sure that you do not have Voicemail service through your telephone service provider. If you do have Voicemail service, it may be answering the call before the Panasonic answering machine. The problem may be with the Voicemail service. You need to decide how you want to use the Voicemail service with your Telephone answering machine. Refer to "How to use a Voicemail service with a telephone company when you have a telephone with an answering machine.".


• The answering machine memory may be full. Erase some messages. Refer to "How to erase messages" in the "How to set up a Panasonic telephone answering machine" guide.


• Confirm that the telephone is connected to a standard home phone line. If it is being used in a business situation it may be connected to a digital phone system. A digital phone system is typically in an office where you can transfer calls, there may also be a switchboard. This telephone answering system is designed as a home use system that operates on standard home telephone lines. When connected to a business line some features like ringing and making a call may operate OK, but others like the answering system may not work properly. Connect the telephone answering system to a standard home telephone line and test the answering machine again.

After troubleshooting as described above if the answering machine still does not function properly refer to the Telephone Warranty and Repair guide for information on product repair.

The answering machine answers the call, the greeting message is played, they leave a message, but the answering machine does not record the message.

Check the following in the order listed.

• Make sure that you do not have Voicemail service through your telephone service provider. If you do have Voicemail service, it may be answering the call before the Panasonic answering machine. The problem may be with the Voicemail service. You need to decide how you want to use the Voicemail service with your Telephone answering machine. Refer to "How to use a Voicemail service with a telephone company when you have a telephone with an answering machine.".


• Make sure that you do not have an other physical telephone answering machine connected to the same line. Another telephone on the same line may have an answering machine that is turned on. If an other answering machine is present turn that machine off.

If you are unsure if you have voicemail or another answering machine on the same line perform the following test.

1. Unplug the Panasonic telephone from the telephone line jack.
2. Using another phone (ex Cellular phone) call your phone number. Does an answering machine answer?
   • If yes - then you either have Voicemail or another answering machine on the line.
   • If no - continue with troubleshooting.

• Check the callers recording time. If the recording time is set to “Greeting only” the answering machine does not allow callers to leave a message. The caller may think they are leaving the message but the machine does not record.
  1. Press [MENU # 3 0 5].
  2. Press the arrow up ▲ or down ▼ to select the desired record time.
  3. Press [SAVE].
  4. Press [OFF].


• The answering machine memory may be full. Erase some messages. Refer to "How to erase messages" in the "How to set up a Panasonic telephone answering machine" guide.


• Confirm that the telephone is connected to a standard home phone line. If it is being used in a business situation it may be connected to a digital phone system. A digital phone system is typically in an office where you can transfer calls, there may also be a switchboard. This telephone answering system is designed as a home use system that operates on standard home telephone lines. When connected to a business line some features like ringing and making a call may operate OK, but others like the answering system may not work properly. Connect the telephone answering system to a standard home telephone line and test the answering machine again.

After troubleshooting as described above if the answering machine still does not function properly refer to the Telephone Warranty and Repair guide for information on product repair.

The answering machine answers the call, the caller is prompted to press 1 to be connected.

Your telephone has a feature called Automated Call block, when this is turned on the callers must enter an access code in order to leave a message.

Solution options

• Provide the caller with an access code or add the caller name to the Automated Call block allow list.
• Turn off automated Call block feature. You can still use the regular call block to block unwanted calls.

For more information on Automated Call block Refer to "How to use the Automated call block feature."

Calls go to a voicemail service, not the built in answering machine.

Check the following in the order listed.

• Make sure the answering machine is turned ON by pressing the [ANSWER ON] button till the indicator lights up on the base.


• Adjust the ring count on the answering machine to less than the voice mail (service from your telephone company) ring count.


• If you do not want to use the Voice mail service from your telephone company contact them to turn the service off.

For more information on Setting up an answering machine refer to "How to set up a Panasonic telephone answering machine" guide.

For more information on using a Voicemail service refer to "How to use a Voicemail service with a telephone company when you have a telephone with an answering machine.".

Troubleshooting "The answering machine picks up on the 2nd ring even though it is set to a higher ring count".

This usually happens when another answering product answers the line before this machine does.

• Check if you have voicemail through your telephone company. Voicemail is a service offered by your telephone provider. Messages are stored in their system and accessed remotely.
• Make sure no other telephone product connected to the same line has an answering machine. If there is, make sure that units answering machine is turned off.

1. If you confirm that you do not have voicemail or another answering machine, disconnect the Panasonic telephone from the telephone line jack and using another phone (Cellular) call your phone number.
2. Allow the phone to ring at least 5 times.
3. Does an answering machine answer?