What you will see
A phone call is picked up by the MFP, or a fax is picked up by a telephone or answering machine device. Note: For the X544, please make sure you are running the latest firmware (P227d, E208, and S104 or later) as there has been new firmware released to fix fax issues.
Suggested Remedies
he following solutions are dependent upon user preference, and perhaps the user's telephony*.
* - The construction or operation of telephones or telephonic systems.
- Dedicated fax line with dedicated fax number (1)
- Distinctive Ring (2)
- Shared line for fax and voice(3)
Dedicated fax line with dedicated fax number. This solution provides the MFP with a separate phone number for incoming and outgoing faxes.
Distinctive Ring option:
What is it? The distinctive ring feature offered by your telephone service provider provides:How does this feature work?
Setting the correct ring is important if you subscribe to the Distinctive Ring Pattern Detection (DRPD) feature offered by telephone companies. If the phone rings once, pick it up and answer as normal. If the Phone rings twice, do not answer the phone; the fax will answer automatically.
How do I deactivate unwanted ring patterns?
From... | the Button Combination is... |
the MFP User Interface (UI) | Menu > Settings > Fax Settings > Distinctive Ring SettingsNOTE: Each setting must be enabled/disabled individually. |
the printer's web interface | Settings > Fax Settings > Analog fax setup > Distinctive Ring Settings |
IMPORTANT!All three ring settings (Single, Double, Triple) are turned ON by default on the MFP. If the pattern is set incorrectly, the printer will ring, but it will never answer the incoming call. It is suggested to turn off any distinctive ring pattern (setting) that is not dedicated to the fax function or MFP.
- The purchase of additional telephone numbers.
- Differentiation of these numbers by dissimilar and distinctive ring tones.
- The opportunity to have multiple phone numbers assigned to one physical telephone line.
- The ability for your MFP to be assigned to one of these phone numbers and the associated distinctive ring pattern.
- Each telephone number has a designated ring pattern (a single ring, a double ring, a triple ring).
- Different ring patterns let you know what telephone number was dialed, and what device you should use to answer the call.
- Assign one of your telephone numbers to the printer as the fax number, and then set the printer to answer the ring pattern of that number.
- For example, the ability for the MFP to pick up on a single, double, or triple ring, or any combination.
- A less expensive option than having a dedicated phone line.
Shared line for fax and voice
Enable Auto Answer
How does this work? When this feature is enabled, the device (MFP) will automatically answer all incoming calls and the device's modem will be responsible for detecting fax tones.
How do you turn on this feature?
From... | the Button Combination is... |
the MFP User Interface (UI) | Menu > Settings >Fax Settings > Fax Receive Settings > locate Auto Answer and verify that the default value is ON. |
the printer's web interface | Settings>Fax Settings>Analog fax setup > Fax Receive Settings > Auto Answer |
How do you activate or initiate the fax?
Answering machine - After the answering machine has answered the call the MFP listens for fax tones. If fax tones are present, the MFP will divert the transmission and automatically answer/take over the call.
NOTE: The answering machine must be set to answer prior to the device(MFP). For example, The answering machine is set to pick up on 3 rings and the MFP is set to answer on 5 rings.
Phone - After hearing the fax tones, the device will automatically take over the call, or the user can enter the Manual Answer Code as well. Default is (*9*).
Fax Receive alternative: Disable Auto Answer and Enable Manual Fax
How does this work?
When Auto Answer is set to Off then the Enable Manual Fax option must be set to On to be able to successfully manually answer an incoming fax call.
How to turn off "Auto Answer"
From... | the Button Combination is... |
the MFP User Interface (UI) | Menu > Settings >Fax Settings > Fax Receive Settings, locate Auto Answer, change the default (ON) value to (OFF), and then press the select button. |
the printer's web interface | Settings>Fax Settings>Analog fax setup, Fax Receive Settings>Auto Answer, uncheck the box and then press Submit. |
How to Enable "Manual Fax"
From... | the Button Combination is... |
the MFP User Interface (UI) | Menu>Settings>Fax Settings>General Fax Settings> locate Enable Manual Fax, change the default (OFF) value to (ON) and click select button. |
the printer's web interface | Settings>Fax Settings>Analog fax setup, General Fax Settings>Enable Manual Fax,check the box, and then press Submit. |
How do you activate or initiate the fax? The device will ring and display a message Incoming Call // Press Start. Important! You do not have to answer the phone to initiate the fax. All you have to do is press Start.
If... | Then... |
the call is answered by a phone | you will have to to enter the Manual Answer Code, which by default is (*9*) in order for the device to detect the fax tone and complete the fax call. |
the call is answered by an answering machine | you will have to press Start in order for the device to detect the fax tones and complete the fax call. |
Related Articles of Interest
Main contributing factors to Fax Receive failure for fax receiving troubleshooting tips.
Still Need Help?
Please contact Lexmark Technical Support for additional assistance. NOTE: When calling the Technical Support Center, you will need to know your printer model type and serial number (SN). Please call from near the MFP in case the technician on the phone asks you to perform a task involving the device.
LEGACY ID:SO4883