Access code

If this is the phone answering system (and NOT voicemail), you need to refer to the phone Instruction Manual.

Do you have a phone with call blocker? Have you checked your outgoing message? What is the canned message people are getting?

thank you for the response.  The automated message that was coming on rather than my voice message said "please enter an access code", when someone was calling in.

But I found out what was causing that - my answering machine had been turned off.  As soon as I checked that button, it all came back on now, including my own message.   I had a house sitter while I was gone and they apparently pushed the answering machine off button.  Whew, what a relief to have it back again.

Thank you again

Yep, if they're turned off the message comes on for remote access.