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Answering machine reacts to calls although it is disabled

Although no answering machines are configured in the FRITZ!Box or all of the answering machines are disabled, an answering machine answers incoming calls. Callers may be asked to enter a PIN.

Note:All instructions on configuration and settings given in this guide refer to the latest FRITZ!OS for the FRITZ!Box.

1 Checking the FRITZ!Box's call list

  1. Click "Telephony" in the FRITZ!Box user interface.
  2. Click "Calls" in the "Telephony" menu.
  3. Check whether the calls the answering machine reacted to are marked with a blue or red handset.
  4. If the handset is red, the answering machine is not connected to the FRITZ!Box. A voice mailbox from your telephony provider may have answered the call. In this case, the problem lies with the telephony provider or the other device.
    • If the handset is blue, either a FRITZ!Box answering machine or a different device connected to the FRITZ!Box answered the call, for example a telephone with an answering machine:
      1. Check the name of the device in the "Telephony Device" column.
      2. If it is an integrated FRITZ!Box answering machine, continue with the next section.
        • If it is not a FRITZ!Box answering machine, set up the device accordingly. The FRITZ!Box cannot solve this problem. You can check how the device is connected with the FRITZ!Box under "Telephony > Telephony Devices" in the user interface.

2 Disabling remote playback for the answering machine

  1. Click "Telephony" in the FRITZ!Box user interface.
  2. Click "Answering Machine" in the "Telephony" menu.
  3. If an answering machine is configured:
    1. Click the "Settings" button.
    2. Click "Additional Settings".
    3. Enable remote playback and enter "0000" as the PIN.
    4. Click "Apply" to save the settings.
    5. Repeat steps a - d for all of the answering machines that are configured.
    • If no answering machines are configured:
      1. Click on the "Another answering machine" or "Configure answering machine" link.
      2. Use the wizard to set up an answering machine.

        Note:It does not matter which settings you select for the operating mode, greeting delay, recording length, or numbers you assign since this answering machine will be deactivated again.

      3. Click the "Settings" button.
      4. Click "Additional Settings".
      5. Enable remote playback and enter "0000" as the PIN.
      6. Click "Apply" to save the settings.
      7. Use the on/off slider to disable the answering machine.