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Home » Inter-Tel, Phone Systems

Inter-tel Feature Codes

16 January 2009 32 Comments

You can click the following link to enhance the reading of this article: Reading Blinds.

SoCalPhonePros

Courtesy of John from the So Cal Phone Pros forum. Sign up is free!

Hello everyone and a very Happy New Year’s!!!

I don’t really know where to begin so I’ll just jump right in.  I have noticed a recurring problem in my travels through the world of Inter-tel and thought it would be worth mentioning here on the site.

 I cannot even begin to count the amount of trouble calls I have received over the years that have been caused by the user themselves.  (In their defense it is often times inadvertent).  I will attempt to shed some light.

This specific problem is caused by what Inter-tel refers to as feature codes.  (These are codes that any user can enter from his/her phone that turn features on/off.)

Done in the right way these codes can be very useful to the customer.  Unfortunately this is not always the case.

 Many times the customer may inadvertently enter the code because they forgot to access an outgoing line first and the digits match up with the number they are intending to dial. (this goes for just about any telephone system)

Inter-tel has tried to thwart this problem by making a flag in the system that will force the user to have to hit another key first before entering the feature code.  This key is known as the ‘Special key‘.  It is a key with an infinity symbol on it (sideways 8, lazy 8).

I will explain SOME of the more popular feature keys below and possible symptoms:

  • ACD Agent Login/Logout (326-328) – Used to login (326), logout(327), or toggle (328).  You’ll know if you’re logged out because your phone will not be ringing anymore in your respective hunt group.

    Automatic CO (Trunk) Access On/Off (360) – If this is off you will pick up the handset and still have to hit the flashing line key on incoming calls to answer the call.  Very annoying and common.

    Automatic Intercom Access On/Off (361) - Same as above but with intercom calls.

    Background Music On/Off (313) – Makes the on hold music come out of your phone.  (Hey, maybe you like your music on hold).

    Call Forward – All Calls (355) - This allows you to manually call forward your phone.  This will override system call forwarding.

    Call Forward – If Busy (357) - This allows you to manually call forward your phone only when you are on the phone.  This will override system call forwarding.

    Call Forward – If No Answer (356) - This allows you to manually call forward your phone after only after it has given you a chance to answer the phone first.  Usually 4 rings is the norm although it can be shorter or longer.

    Call Forward – If No Answer/Busy (358) – Combines the two previous conditions.

    Clear System Alarm (9850) – Sometimes there will be an alarm on the administrator’s phone.  (This is programmable, but usually the receptionist)  This will clear aforementioned alarm.  Can only be done from an administrator’s phone.

    Default Station (394) - When all else fails and your phone is acting funky use this feature code.  Most of the time it will fix most of the user caused issues.

    Display Time/Date (300) - If you have a message or something else on your screen but want to see the time and date or what extension you’re on this is your code.  The LCD will show you what you need to see for 5 seconds or so before reverting back.  Used a lot by techs in the field.

    Do-Not-Disturb (370-372) – turn it on (370), turn it off (371), toggle (372).  If it is on then no calls will come through.  Assuming your system forwarding is on, the call will usually go straight to voicemail.

    Handsfree On/Off (319) – When this is on and someone calls you the call will automatically connect and come through your speaker.  Some people love it because they don’t have to quit typing or what have you and can instantly talk to whoever is there.  Some people hate it because it can be a little intrusive.  Personal preferences vary.

    Headset On/Off (317) - VERY VERY common trouble call.  A customer’s speaker phone doesn’t seem to be working and there will be no dial tone on the handset.  The phone is obviously broken…… nope….. headset mode is on.  Very easy to fix and save yourself a headache.  Did I mention this is VERY VERY common.

    Hunt Group Remove and Replace (322-324) – Please see ACD feature codes at the top of list.

    Night Ring On/Off (9860) – Can only be done from an Administrator’s phone.  The display will say Night Mode On if night mode is on.  One common symptom is that when people are calling in they are getting the night greeting.  Obvious I know but you wouldn’t believe the calls one gets.

    Outgoing Call (8) - A lot of people get confused here because most of the time it is 9.

    Page On/Off (325) - All of a sudden you are not receiving pages through your phone.  You have removed yourself from the page zone.

    Queue Request (6) – If you call another phone internally (intercom) and they are busy you can use this and their phone will automatically call you back when they are done with their call.

    Review Keys (396) - Do you want to know what is programmed on a certain key?  Use this feature code and then hit the desired key.  It will let you know.

    System Forward On/Off (352-354) - Equally as common as the headset problem mentioned earlier.  You will know you have turned it off because your phone will ring forever and never forward to voicemail.  Very frequently addressing this issue.

These are just a few of the feature codes and scenarios I have encountered that could be easily fixed without making a trip.  There are tons that didn’t make it here. If any techs can think of any (regardless of the system) please feel free to share.

Wishing everyone a very prosperous 2009!!!

John
forums.socalphonepros.com
www.socalphonepros.com

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  • kristinbeam

    I'm having a problem with the amount of rings until tranfering to voice mail.
    I tried the feature 352, but this did not help.

    HELLLLP!!

  • http://blog.systems4less.com/?page_id=95 pingram

    This may depend on what exactly you mean by number of rings before going to voice mail. Do you mean number of rings on your main business line, a department line or just for your individual extension? If it's just your personal extension, then I might suggest trying “356″ (call forward no answer) but the true experts on this platform can be found at the link just below the article for the so cal phone pros forum. If you still can't get it figured out, just ask you question in the forum for your system type. Everyone is really friendly and respond pretty quickly.

  • brittanykeller

    Only half of our phones ring at our office. Its sounds alot like ACD agent login/logout. The lights still blink and are still answerable on those non ringing phones. When I try to dial in the 326 code it says it is a reserved feature and cannot be accessed…?

  • http://blog.systems4less.com/?page_id=95 pingram

    There's probably something else going on which might be at the technician programming level like tiered ringing, or some sort of special ring group. Some questions that come to mind is whether those phones ever did ring or have they always just had visible button appearance for the calls? Also, what button(s) do the calls ring on? That is probably the biggest clue. I'm not technically knowledgeable on the Inter-Tel systems but it sound like a common industry term “blf ringing” or “virtual ringing” where a pilot extension is built and assigned as a button or multiple buttons on select phones and then programmed typically with one of 3 modes, flash only, ring immediate or ring delayed. I would try the guys over at http://forums.socalphonepros.com and see if they can help. Good luck!

  • http://blog.systems4less.com/?page_id=95 pingram

    There's probably something else going on which might be at the technician programming level like tiered ringing, or some sort of special ring group. Some questions that come to mind is whether those phones ever did ring or have they always just had visible button appearance for the calls? Also, what button(s) do the calls ring on? That is probably the biggest clue. I'm not technically knowledgeable on the Inter-Tel systems but it sound like a common industry term “blf ringing” or “virtual ringing” where a pilot extension is built and assigned as a button or multiple buttons on select phones and then programmed typically with one of 3 modes, flash only, ring immediate or ring delayed. I would try the guys over at http://forums.socalphonepros.com and see if they can help. Good luck!

  • Carmac

    Any idea how to turn OFF 'Hands Free' on an 8602 IP Softphone? The default is OFF, which is the way we want it, but somehow got enabled for one user, and the normal FEATURE CODE (x319) is not enabled/available on that phone. x377 doesn't do it either. Been trying to get it figured out for a week.

    TIA

  • http://blog.systems4less.com/?page_id=95 pingram

    With a little research it looks like you are on the right track. Take a look here: http://www.sundance-communications.com/cgi-bin/…

    It explains that feature 319 is set on the receiving phone to determine if automatic off-hook to speakphone is preferred. Feature 377 is set on the sending station when the caller prefers automatic off-hook. I would assume that 377 cannot override 319 but I am not an Inter-Tel tech. If all else fails, try asking on the forum above or even trying the http://forums.socalphonepros.com . Good luck!

  • ReviewATrois

    I have the Admin phone in my office and no matter whether I am logged in or out, incoming calls ring at my station.

    How do I change that?

  • http://www.tellatek.com pingram

    I would suggest asking on a forum like http://forums.socalphonepros.com/ This may still be something your technician has to address. There are usually many ways to make a phone ring depending on the application.

    For example, If it's the main company line, it may be a special button that is assigned on multiple phones to ring which usually requires accessing the phone system admin functions to remove. This might be different than the “Attendant” or “ACD Admin” function. Many times there is special software or a model telephone with a button sequence to gain programming access. Then you must know how to navigate system and which program areas to administer. Hope this helps shed some light. Good luck.

  • Megan

    i need help! one of the phones at my store i was told has annoying “ringer”. how do you choose a different ring style?

  • http://www.tellatek.com pingram

    Really depends on the model number of the phone (typically listed under phone)

    If your model is listed here, there might be an online tutorial to show you how to change your ring tone/cadence.

    I recall 3-9-8 having something to do with ring tones 1-9 (zero being silent/off) but don't quote me, I'm not an Intel-Tel tech. =) Good luck!

  • Rawise

    We have an administrator phone which is in “night ring” (incoming calls on the main line will ring at that and other stations set up for night ring) mode. We no longer have the manual nor the person who used to act as operator and knew how to key the phone to turn on and off the night ring function. When the “operator” is at the admin phone, the night ring feature should be off. When the “operator” leaves the desk, the night ring feature needs to be turned on so the other phones ring. Please respond to rawdata@hotmail.com

  • Woggy64

    I can't remember how to do a remote call forward from another phone….3xx then 355, but can't for the life of me remember the first code

  • http://www.tellatek.com pingram

    try dialing 359 then the extension number of the phone you want forwarded. Then dial the extension's password followed by a #. The station password is under Devices and Feature codes>Stations. Then dial the Call Forward Feature code (355). Then dial a Trunk Access code, like 92001 for Trunk Group 1. Then dial the destination phone number.

    for example: 359 + XXX + PPPP# + 355 + 92001 + 1+Number

  • Megan

    i need help again!! on my phone when i go to recall any phone call from any other phone it makes this loud noise…the noise was there before but now its SUPER loud..how do i turn it down??

  • http://www.tellatek.com pingram

    I'm not sure I get exactly what you mean when you say you “go to recall any phone call from any other phone”, do you mean when you attempt to pull back a transfered call? Do you mean when you call another phone from your telephone – using the intercom? Where is the loud noise heard from, your phone or the called phone?

    It might be the tone announce function which most phone system have when calling live over a speaker phone as a security preference (sometimes call voice announce or automatic intercom)…this is usually adjusted during the tone announce by adjusting the volume on the individual phone itself.

    If this doesn't help, I might not be understanding your question properly and I would suggest asking your question on a telecom forum where you might find some help from an experienced Inter-Tel technician.

    http://forums.socalphonepros.com/

  • jimj

    Can you tell me how I can set up my phone to use one of my program keys to automatically forward my call to a certain number (my cell) when I leave the offcie. I cannot find this in the menu on the phone

  • http://www.tellatek.com pingram

    As mentioned previously in this thread of comments, I am not an Intel-Tel technician and have limited knowledge of its workings. Most often I can answer questions by performing a few quick searches on googles of the interwebs. However, I was not able to find how to specifically program a fixed button that would toggle immediate call forwarding to an off-premise number.

    The next best resource would be to post the question on the following forums and hope you get the help you need:

    http://forums.socalphonepros.com/viewforum.php?f=9
    http://www.sundance-communications.com/forum/ultimatebb.php?/ubb/forum/f/4.html
    http://www.pbxinfo.com/index.php/board,32.0.html

  • Scott

    Is there a way that you can access a call log and see missed/received calls?

  • http://www.tellatek.com pingram

    Scott, please read my previous comment. You might also find some useful information here: http://www.intertel-systems.co.uk/Services/User-Group-UK/Mitel-Inter-Tel-Download-Resource.aspx

  • Michael

    Pingram, I am plugging an external source into the MOH port for hold and background music. I know how to enable background music at a local station FEATURE 313; however, I am unaware on how to enable MOH for the entire system. Please help. Thanks in advance.

  • http://www.tellatek.com pingram
  • http://www.tellatek.com pingram
  • Lwallace

    Hi, John! Do you know how to change the phone so that “IC” calls do not require you to hit the “IC” button in order to answer the phone? In other words, even if I receive an “IC” call, I would rather the call connect when I pick up the handset, and avoid needing to hit the “IC” button. Thanks, in advance!

  • http://www.tellatek.com pingram

    Hi Lwallace, sounds like intercom off-hook preference is disabled. Did you try “Automatic Intercom Access On/Off (361)”

  • LORI

    Hi John. Please help. Our phone system has an advertisement playing when a customer is on hold. How do I turn this off??? The only option I’ve found is background music and this only turns that same advertisement on and off on my phone. Thank you for your time!

  • http://www.tellatek.com pingram

    Hi Lori, you can try and ask John here: SoCalPhonePros forum, if you like.

    I believe the feature you are trying to disable is MOH (Music/Messages on hold). The BGM (background music) is a personal user option which controls playback of an audio source on the individuals telephone speaker. To turn off or disable MOH usually requires system administration access via a programming interface (admin phone or computer software). I am not too familiar with the Inter-Tel systems and refer all my local work to John.

    On thing you might try if you really need the MOH removed is to locate the phone system (probably mounted on a wall in a service closet or data room) and then identify the MOH source which is usually an external device plugged in to the phone system via an audio cable similar to that of a headset jack or RCA cables. Keep in mind, with the source removed and not replaced, outside callers will only receive silence when placed on hold and could come to the conclusion that they have been hung up on rather than placed on hold. Good luck!

  • Ldawson

    thank you very much for your help!

  • Ribeye2k

    Help please. My desk has phone, INTER_TEL 8520. Pages come through my speaker and they are very loud and disruptive. I would like to disable this. I have tried [lazy 8] 325 and it says “Invalid Feature Code” What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance.

  • http://www.tellatek.com pingram

    If the code 325 is saying invalid feature code, then possibly the code is restricted or your vendor has changed the dialing plan. Try asking around on the forums here at SoCalPhonePros – http://forums.socalphonepros.com/viewforum.php?f=9

  • Ribeye2k

    OK – Thanks for your response. I will ask on the forums

  • Royaltiff

    What code do I use to turn my ringer off and what code do I use to turn the ringer back on? Not night mode, as that is for all of the phones in the office. I need the codes for just for one handset.