Model discontinued. This page is no longer updated.

MFC-3100C

FAQs & Troubleshooting

FAQs & Troubleshooting

How do I know which receive mode to select?

The FAX/MFC has four receive modes to choose from. Using the terms outlined below, choose the receive mode that best suits your needs.

 


FAX ONLY mode is best used when you have your FAX/MFC on a dedicated fax line. In this receive mode, the FAX/MFC automatically answers every call with receiving tones as if it were an incoming fax. If you select Fax Only mode, you cannot receive incoming voice calls on the telephone line your FAX/MFC is connected to, though you can make outgoing calls on the line.

 

In MANUAL mode, you control the telephone line and must answer every call yourself. If you answer the line and hear fax tones, wait until your FAX/MFC begins to respond with its own receiving tones, then hang up the phone. The MFC/FAX will receive the fax and print it out. You can receive incoming voice calls when using this receive mode just as you would if the FAX/MFC was not present on the line. This mode is preferable if you do not receive many faxes, if the FAX/MFC will be on the same telephone line as a computer modem, or if you are using Distinctive Ring.

 

FAX/TEL mode is optimal if you receive lots of faxes and few telephone calls. In this receive mode, the FAX/MFC will automatically receive and print incoming faxes. If you receive a voice call, every phone on the same line as the FAX/MFC will ring a designated number of times, after which the FAX/MFC will begin to double-ring to notify you that the incoming call is a voice call.

 

Only the FAX/MFC will double ring. When using the FAX/TEL mode, you cannot use the telephone company's Voice Mail feature, nor can you have an answering machine on the same line, even if it is on a separate wall telephone jack.

 

TAD:ANSWER MACH. mode is to be used when you have an external Telephone Answering Device (answering machine) on the same telephone line as the FAX/MFC. In this receive mode, the external answering machine automatically answers every call. Voice messages are stored on the answering machine while fax messages are printed. When using the TAD:ANSWER MACH. mode, these six guidelines MUST be followed:

  1. (Only for USA)
    The answering machine must be connected to the jack labeled EXT on the back of the FAX/MFC. The TAD:ANSWER MACH. mode may not function properly if you connect the external answering machine into a wall jack.

  2. The FAX/MFC's receive mode must be set to TAD:ANSWER MACH..

  3. We recommend you record 5 seconds of silence at the beginning of your answering machine's outgoing message. This allows your FAX/MFC time to detect incoming fax tones from a sending machine.

  4. Your answering machine's outgoing message must be no more than 20 seconds long.

  5. You must end your outgoing message by giving your Fax Receive Code for people sending manual faxes. For example: "After the beep, leave a message or send a fax by pressing *51 (*91 for New Zealand) and Start, Fax Start or Black (Mono) Fax Start."

  6. The answering machine must be set to answer in 4 rings or less. The FAX/MFC's Ring Delay setting does not apply in TAD:ANSWER MACH. mode.

If your question was not answered, have you checked other FAQs?

Have you checked the manuals?

If you need further assistance, please contact Brother customer service:

Related Models

FAX-717, FAX-727, FAX-827/FAX-827S, FAX-878, MFC-3100C, MFC-5100C, MFC-9880

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