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Home » Inter-Tel, Phone Systems

Inter-tel Feature Codes

16 January 2009 View 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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  • 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?
  • 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!
  • 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?
  • 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.
  • 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
  • With a little research it looks like you are on the right track. Take a look here: http://www.sundance-communications.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=001007;p=0

    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!
  • 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...?
  • 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!
  • 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!!
  • 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.
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