When somebody is calling me my phone (vtech) has only 4 rings before the voicemail starts for them to leave a message. can i do something to get more than 4 rings before the voicemail starts? it's the vtech phone-CS5111-2

Go to set up menu or tools and simply disable unwanted features.............

There is remote access code for you to readout your voicemails.

Vtech CS6648 2 User Manual Temporary Tone Dialing Check Voicemail Chain...

From the sound of it it I think its either: your mailbox is full or the feature has been turn off accidentally.

Vtech's support recommend the following (I've removed things like 'make sure its plugged in' and 'is your answering system is turned on' etc..)

1 Some answering systems have an announce only option, which plays your greeting but won't record messages. Make sure your system is set to record messages.

2 Your answering system's message capacity may be full. You must erase old messages to make room for new ones.

3 If you have voicemail service in addition to your answering system, your caller's message may be going into voicemail before your answering system picks up the call. Program your voicemail to pick up at least 2 rings after your answering system is set to answer the call.

There seems to be two separate issues here.

Your phone will not take messages if it the answering system is turned off. See page 37 of the manual: http://www.vtechphones.com/support/general/manuals

You apparently have unheard messages on the voicemail system provided by your telephone company. This system records messages when someone calls while you're already on the phone. Please contact your telephone company for instructions on accessing their voicemail system.

You might want to check the ring count on both systems. If they're both set the same, it's possible the phone company's voicemail system is picking up calls before your answering machine.

On most VTech phones the voicemail indicator turns on when someone leaves a message on the voicemail system offered by your phone company. Many phone companies have such a system, which takes messages when your phone is busy. You'll have to contact your phone company for instructions on accessing their voicemail system.

Press SET UP when in idle mode and the system announces the current number of rings setting.
Press right/SKIP or left/REPEAT until the system announces the desired setting, then press SET UP to save the setting and go to the next setting, or press /PLAY/STOP to save and return to the idle mode.

If you need a manual, you can download one at
http://vt.vtp-media.com/ecp/documents/product_Product/55/UserManual/106/CS5121_Manual.pdf

Since you declined to specify the model of your VTech system, enter it into the search box at
http://www.vtechphones.com/vtechphones/index.cfm/support/general/manuals/
to download a copy of the manual.

HOW TO DO I CHECK MY VOICE MESSAGES!!!

ARE YOU WANTING TO RECORD A MESSAGE THAT CALLERS WILL HEAR OR ARE YOU WANTING TO LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR SOMEONE YOU CALLED?