BT BT3940 Specification sheet

UK’s best selling phone brand†
Quick Set-up and User Guide
BT3940
Digital Cordless Phone with Answering Machine

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Important – please read first2
• Only use the line cord, power supply and rechargeable batteries supplied with
your phone.
• Make sure that the power supply is connected to a known working socket.
• Connect your phone to the power supply and allow the batteries to charge for
24 hours before connecting the line cord to your telephone socket.
• To make sure you get the best range and reception from your handset, avoid
interference by placing the base unit away from large metal objects such as
fridge freezers and microwave ovens or electronic products such as computers
and TVs.
Answer machine – handy hint
Make sure the telephone is set to Answer and record and that the Ring delay
is set to answer before any voicemail service i.e. BT Answer 1571, or similar.
The default setting is four rings. If you want to change this, please see page 41.
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3
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Check box contents
Handset Base
Telephone line cord
(pre-installed)
Handset Charger Mains power adaptor
(item code 066270)
2 x AAA Ni-MH 550 mAh
rechargeable batteries
(already in handset)
Mains power adaptor
(item code 066270)
2 x AAA Ni-MH 550 mAh
rechargeable batteries
(already in handset)
IMPORTANT
Only use the mains power adaptors, cables and rechargeable batteries supplied in this box or this
product might not work. Any replacement rechargeable batteries must be of the same type.
BT accepts no responsibility for damage caused to your BT3940 if you use any other type of batteries.
Contents for each additional handset (multipacks only)

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Where to put your phone
• Place the base within
3 metres of a mains power
socket and 1.8 metres of a
phone socket so the cables
will reach.
• Don’t place the phone or
base in a bathroom or
other humid area.
• The product works by
sending radio signals
between the handset and
base. The strength of the
signal depends on where you
position the base. Putting it
as high as possible can help
give you the best signal.
IMPORTANT
• Don’t connect the phone line
to a phone socket until the
handset is fully charged.
• The base station should
be plugged into the mains
power socket all the time.
1. Plug the mains
power adaptor into
the base, with the
cable clipped in the
groove provided.
2. Plug the other end
of the power adaptor
into the wall power
socket and switch on.
Quick set-up guide4
1Plug in
The phone line cord is pre-installed but don’t
plug the other end into the wall socket yet.
1
2

Quick set-up guide 5
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Talk/Standby time
Under ideal conditions, the
handset batteries should give
up to 12 hours talk time or 240
hours standby on a single charge.
Please note that new Ni-MH
rechargeable batteries don’t
reach full capacity until
they’ve been in normal use
for several days.
Battery low warning
The icon will flash, you’ll
see the message Battery Low in
the display and hear a warning
beep every minute, to indicate
that you need to recharge your
handset before you can use it.
You can remove the display
message by selecting Hide. If
the battery charge completely
runs out, the display will show
Batteries flat. Please
charge . You must recharge
the handset batteries before
you can use the handset. If the
charge completely runs out the
handset will switch off. Place
the handset on the base or
charger to charge.
Quick set-up guide 5
2Activate the batteries and
follow the Set-up wizard
1. Activate the batteries by pulling the plastic tab
away from the bottom of the handset.
Rechargeable batteries
already fitted
Remove this tab
and charge batteries
for 24 hours before use.
2. The handset will check for a link with the base
station, once found the screen will show Please set
the time and date . The set-up wizard will take you
through the steps for setting the time and date,
recording your outgoing message for the answer
machine and adding contacts.
Press the Left option button if you want to
follow the set-up wizard prompt or the Right option
button button to continue to the next prompt
until set-up is complete.

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Quick set-up guide6
Battery performance
• To keep the batteries in the
best condition, leave the
handset off the base for a
few hours at a time.
• Running the batteries right
down at least once a week
will help them last as long
as possible.
• After charging your handset
for the first time, subsequent
charging time for the
batteries is approximately
8 hours.
• The charge capacity of
rechargeable batteries will
go down over time, which
will reduce the talk and
standby time. Eventually
they’ll need replacing.
For details on how to get
replacement batteries,
call the helpline on
0800 145 6789*.
3. Once set-up is complete your handset will display
Please check line cord , place the handset on the
base to charge.
4. After 24 hours, plug the phone line cord into the
phone wall socket.
IMPORTANT
Charge the handset batteries for 24 hours or your
phone might not work.
Set up your additional handsets (multipacks only)
1. For additional handsets and chargers: plug the
mains power adaptor into the underside of the
charger and plug the other end into the mains wall
socket and switch on the power.
2. Activate the batteries as explained on page 5.
3. Place the handset on the charger to charge for
24 hours.
1

Quick set-up guide 7
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If you ever need to remove the batteries, place your
finger in the groove at the bottom of the handset
and lift the cover up to release it. Then, gently ease
the batteries out.
3Go!
Your BT3940 is now ready
for you to use
• For help setting the date and time, go to page 58.
• For instructions on making a call, go to page 19.
• For help personalising your phone’s settings, go to
page 50.
• For instructions on using the answer machine,
go to page 37.
Or, you may find the answer in the Help section
on page 68 or see our online frequently asked
questions at bt.com/producthelp
Alternatively, call the Helpline on 0800 145 6789*.
* Calls made from within the UK mainland network are free. Mobile and
international call costs may vary.
Quick set-up guide 7
Using your BT3940 on a line
with broadband?
To avoid problems with your
broadband or noise on your
phone line, you might need to
plug it into the wall socket via
a microfilter (not supplied).
If your main phone
socket has a single
socket, you do need
to use microfilters,
like this:
You’ll need a microfilter for
every phone socket where
you’ve got equipment plugged
in – up to a maximum of four
per line – including alarm
sytems and digital TV boxes.
You can get BT ADSL micro
filters from bt.com/shop
You don’t need to use
microfilters if your main phone
socket has two separate
sockets, like these:

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8In this guide
Getting to know your phone
Handset buttons..............................12
Handset display/display icons...........14
Finding your way around your phone15
Menu map.......................................16
Base................................................18
Using the phone
Switch the handset on or off.............19
Make an external call .......................19
Preparatory dialling .........................19
End a call.........................................19
Receive a call...................................20
Call Waiting .....................................20
Mute...............................................21
Incoming speech/Handsfree volume .21
Handsfree .......................................21
Make a handsfree call.......................21
Answer a call handsfree....................22
Switch to handsfree during a call ......22
Redial .............................................22
Voicemail (1571) .............................22
Call control and the Do not
disturb feature.................................23
Turn Do not disturb on or off.............23
Let the answer machine take the call.24
Keypad lock.....................................24
Turn the handset ringer on or off.......25
Finding handset (paging) .................25
Contacts
Store a contact name and number ....26
Character map .................................27
View/dial a contact ..........................27
Edit a contact ..................................28
Delete a contact ..............................28
Delete all contacts ...........................29
View the contact memory status.......29
Copy a contact (only available if you
have more than one handset) ...........30
Copy all contacts (only available if you
have more than one handset) ...........31

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In this guide 9
Speed dial
Save a speed dial entry.....................32
Dial a speed dial entry......................33
Edit a speed dial entry......................33
Delete a speed dial entry ..................33
Caller Display and the Calls list
Caller Display...................................34
Calls list...........................................34
View/dial an entry in the Calls list......35
Save a Calls list entry to your contacts35
Delete an entry in the Calls list..........36
Delete the entire Calls list .................36
Answer machine
Using the answer machine from
the handset.....................................37
Switch the answer machine on or off.37
Outgoing messages..........................37
Record your own outgoing message..38
Play the current outgoing message...38
Reinstate the pre-recorded
outgoing message ...........................39
Record a memo ...............................40
Set the answer mode
(Answer & Record or Answer Only)....40
Set the answer delay........................41
Set the maximum message length.....41
Set the message alert on or off .........42
Call screening ..................................42
Message playback using the handset 43
Delete all old (played) messages .......44
Using the answer machine from
the base ..........................................45
Switch the answer machine on or off.45
Message playback using the base......45
Delete all old (played) messages .......46
Remote access.................................46
Set the remote access PIN for the
first time .........................................47
Change the remote access PIN..........47

In this guide
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10
Turn remote access on/off ................48
If you forget to switch on your
answer machine...............................48
Operating your answer
machine remotely............................49
Settings
Set the handset ringtone for external
or internal calls ................................50
Set the handset ringer volume..........50
Turn the handset tones on or off .......51
Change the handset name................52
Change the handset display contrast.52
Change the call settings ...................53
Set the base ringtone.......................53
Set the base ringer volume ...............54
Set a PBX access code ......................54
Change the system PIN.....................55
Reset the handset or base settings....56
Reset the handset or base user data..56
Turn eco mode on or off ...................57
Clock/Alarm
Set the time format (12 or 24 hour) ..58
Set the time and date.......................58
Set an alarm ...................................59
Stopping the alarm when it goes off..59
BT Calling Features
Pre-stored numbers in the Calling
Features menu.................................60
Using Call Diversion..........................61
Using Ringback................................61
Using Call Waiting ...........................62
Using Reminder call .........................62
Using Call Barring ............................63
Using Anonymous call reject.............63
Using additional handsets
Register an additional handset..........64
De-register a handset ......................65
Make an internal call
between handsets............................66

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In this guide 11
Transfer a call...................................66
Hold a 3-way call.............................67
Help ...............................................68
General information
Safety information...........................72
Cleaning..........................................73
Environmental.................................73
How to recycle your equipment ........73
Guarantee .......................................74
Technical information.......................75
Connecting to a switchboard ............75
Recall (R).........................................75
R&TTE .............................................75
Declaration of Conformance .............75

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12 Getting to know your phone
Handset buttons
Left option button
Press to enter the main menu, access sub menus and confirm
options shown on the display above the button.
Vol/Up
In standby, press to change the ringer volume.
In talk mode, press to increase the incoming speech volume.
In menu mode, press to scroll up through the options.
Contacts
Press to access your stored Contacts.
Talk/Handsfree
In standby mode, press to make and receive calls, see page 19.
In talk mode, press to switch handsfree on and off, see page 21.
Calls/Down
In standby, press to open and scroll through the Calls list, see page 34.
In talk mode, press to decrease the incoming speech volume.
In menu mode, press to scroll down through the options.
1 (Speed dial)
In standby, press and hold to dial BT 1571 or
your stored speed dial number, see page 22.
When answer machine message playing,
press to repeat message from the beginning.
4
When answer machine message
playing, press to skip back to previous message.

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Getting to know your phone 13
Call control button
In standby mode, press to turn Do not disturb setting on or off.
Press when an incoming call is received to allow the answer machine to take the call.
The caller can leave a message if Answer and record mode is set.
Right option button
Press to confirm the option displayed on the screen above the button,
to delete or go back to the previous screen.
In answer machine mode, deletes the currently playing message.
R (Recall)
R (Recall) for use with some BT Calling Features and when
connected to a switchboard/PBX.
End call/On or off
Press to end a call.
In standby, press and hold to switch the handset on or off, see page 19.
In menu mode, press to return to update to home screen.
3
When answer machine message playing, press to delete message.
2-9 (Speed dial)
In standby, press and hold buttons 2-9
to dial a stored speed dial number, see page 32.
6
When answer machine message playing, press to skip forward to next message.
Press and hold to turn handset ringer on or off.
Press and hold to lock or unlock the keypad.

Getting to know your phone
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14
Handset display
Shows handset battery status.
Scrolls when the handset is charging.
Empty frame flashes when battery
needs recharging.
Missed call in the Calls list*.
Incoming call received.
Outgoing call made.
Handsfree speaker on.
Eco mode is on.
The keypad is locked.
Handset ringer is switched off.
On – answer machine on.
Off – answer machine off.
Flashing – new answer machine message.
Memory full shows if answer machine memory
is full.
On – alarm is set.
Alarm time has been reached.
When on, indicates that you are listening
to answer phone messages or recorded memos.
When on, indicates that you are recording
a new outgoing message or memo.
UnMute/Mute Indicates when Mute is on or off.
Handset display icons
Handset name
* For full details of who has called you please make sure you have subscribed to Caller Display from your network provider.
A fee may be payable. Find out more at bt.com/callingfeatures

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Getting to know your phone 15
Finding your way around your phone
Your BT3940 has an easy to use menu system.
Each menu has a list of options, which you can see on the menu map on the next page.
When the handset is switched on and at the home screen:
1. Select Menu by pressing the Left option button to open the main menu.
2. Use the or button to scroll through the available menu options.
3. When the menu you want is displayed, press the Left option button .
4. Use the or button to scroll through the available sub menu options.
When the sub menu you want is displayed, press the Left option button .
Select Back by pressing the Right option button .
To exit a menu and return to the home screen, press .
If no buttons are pressed for 30 seconds, the handset returns to the home
screen automatically
Left option button
Press to select the option
displayed on the screen above
the button or to confirm entry.
Right option button
Press to select the option
displayed on the screen above
the button or to go back a step.
Navigation buttons
Scroll up or down through
the menu options.

Getting to know your phone
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16
Menu map
Answer Phone Play Messages (x new msg)
Delete all old messages
Outgoing Message
Record Memo
Answer phone on/off
Answer mode
Answer settings
Do Not Disturb On
Off
Clock/Alarm Alarm Off
On Once
On Daily
Mon to Fri
Sat & Sun
Time and Date
Time Format 12 hr
24 hr
Speed dial list Speed dial 1-9
Calling Features Check Diversion
Cancel Ringback
Call Waiting
Reminder Call
Call Barring
Anon. Call Reject

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Getting to know your phone 17
Settings Sounds Ringing External Ringtone
Internal Ringtone
Ringing Volume
Handset Tones Keypad Tones On
Off
Confirmation Tones On
Off
Handset name
Display Contrast Level 1-5
Call Settings Auto Answer
Auto End Call
Auto join calls
First Ring
On
Off
Base Settings Ringing
PBX Code
Software Version Version:
Registration Register Handset
De-register handset
Change System PIN
Reset Settings
Clear user data
Eco Mode On
Off
Contacts menu
Accessed by pressing
the button
Add new contact
Edit Contact
Delete Contact
Copy contacts (only available if
more than one handset registered)
Memory Status
Delete all contacts
Calls menu
Accessed by pressing
the button
Save Number
Delete Call
Delete All

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18
Base
Answer on/off
Press to turn the answer
machine on or off.
When set to On, the text
‘On’ will light up on
the button.
Delete
Press once to delete
the message during
playback. In idle mode,
press to delete all old
messages.
Skip<<
During playback, press
once to skip back to
the start of the current
message. Press twice to
skip back to the start of
the previous message.
Skip>>
During playback, press to
skip forward to the start
of the next message.
In use / Charging light
Blue light is on and
flashes when
phone rings or the
handset is in use.
Play
Green light on the button flashes
when there are new messages.
Press to play messages.
Stop message during playback.
Find
Press to ring all registered
handsets, helpful for finding a
missing handset, see page 25.
Also used during the registration
process, see page 64.
- Volume +
Decrease or increase
the speaker volume
during playback, the call
screening volume during
idle and the base
ringer volume.

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19
When you make a call,
the In use light on the base
comes on.
Auto end
By default, auto end is set to On
and you can end a call just by
putting the handset back in the
base. If auto end is set to Off,
you’ll need to press to end
the call. See page 53.
To switch the handset off
1. Press and hold until the handset turns off.
To switch the handset on
1. Press and hold until the handset turns on.
Make an external call
1. Press .
2. When you hear the dial tone, enter the number.
Preparatory dialling
1. Enter the number first. If you make a mistake select
Del. by pressing the Right option button to
delete the last digit.
2. Press to dial.
End a call
1. Press .
Using the phone
Call timer
Your handset will automatically
time your outgoing and
incoming calls. The handset
shows the length of time both
during and for a few seconds
after your call.
If you switch the phone off
and on again, the phone will
need to be charged for some
time, before the true charge
status can be recalculated
by the phone and accurately
displayed.

Using the phone
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20
Auto answer
By default, auto answer is set
to On and you can answer a call
just by lifting the handset off
the base. If auto answer is set
to Off, you’ll need to lift the
handset off the base and press
too. See page 53.
Call Waiting
To switch your call waiting
service on or off, see page 62.
Out of range warning
When the handset is out of
range of the base, the display
will show Searching for base… ,
the backlight will turn up to
100% to indicate the alert
message and you will hear a
warning tone. You need to
move back within range of the
base station.
If you move out of range when
you’re on a call, you’ll lose your
connection. The handset will
automatically re-connect to
the base when you move back
within range.
Receive a call
When you receive a call, the phone rings and the
display shows Incoming call and . If you’ve got a
caller display service, the display shows the caller’s
number if it’s available or the caller’s name if it
matches an entry stored in your contacts list.
1. Press to accept the call.
Call Waiting
If you’ve got a call waiting service and it is switched
on, your phone will alert you to a second incoming
call if you’re already engaged on an external call.
1. You’ll hear the call waiting tone and if you also
have caller display the display will show the number
of the caller, or the name if it matches an entry in
your contacts.
2. Press or select Switch by pressing to answer
the new call. Your first caller is put on hold.
3. Press or select Switch by pressing to toggle
between the two callers.
4. Press to hang up the current call.
5. If you hang up a current call, your phone will ring
back to reconnect you to your original call if that
caller is still connected.