Do Not Disturb (telecommunications)
Do Not Disturb (DND) is a feature on many phone systems that stops calls from ringing an extension when DND is on. How it works depends on the system, but common options include:
- Redirecting the call to a preassigned extension (such as a secretary or assistant)
- Giving a busy signal, a DND tone, or playing a recorded message
- Allowing the call to reach the extension but showing only a visual alert (no audible ring)
Some systems let supervisors override DND with a special code. The exact behavior is vendor-specific.
What the caller experiences varies: the phone may not ring at all, it may appear busy, or the caller may be sent to voicemail after a delay.
DND can also be used with other features like call forwarding, so calls to a DND-enabled extension are sent to another phone.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 20:53 (CET).