MFC-640CW
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FAQs & Troubleshooting |
How do I set up an answering machine (TAD) to work on the same line as my FAX/MFC?
The following steps pertain to physical telephone answering devices (TADs) only. If a voice mail Service is used in lieu of a physical TAD, you may experience problems receiving faxes and voice messages. Voice mail service cannot successfully share a telephone line with the FAX/MFC, as either the voice mail or the FAX/MFC will always take control of the call, depending on which one answers first. To set up a TAD to share the telephone line with your FAX/MFC, please follow these instructions:
Physically connecting the TAD to the FAX/MFC:
- Connect a telephone cord from the jack labeled LINE on the FAX/MFC directly to the telephone jack in the wall.
- Connect another telephone cord from the jack labeled Telephone Line on the answering machine to the jack (labeled EXT on the FAX/MFC for USA).
Putting the FAX/MFC in Manual mode:
- If it is not illuminated in green, press the FAX key.
- Press the Menu/Set key.
- Press the up or down navigation key until Initial Setup appears and press Menu/Set.
- Press the up or down navigation key until Receive Mode appears and press Menu/Set.
- Use the up or down navigation key to select Manual.
- Press Menu/Set to confirm your choice.
- Press the Stop/Exit key to exit the menu. To the right of the date and time, the LCD will display "MNL", indicating that the FAX/MFC is in Manual mode.
How Manual Mode works with your external answering machine:
When someone dials your telephone/fax number (to send a fax or to speak to you), every telephone sharing the line (including the FAX/MFC) will ring according to the number of rings you set on the TAD. If you do not answer the call, the TAD will answer. As your outgoing message is playing, you should listen for fax tones. If you hear fax tones, pick up the FAX/MFC's handset (or the handset of another telephone on the same line) to receive the incoming fax. If you do not lift the FAX/MFC's handset or the handset of another telephone on the same line, the call will go to your answering machine, and you will not be able to receive the fax.
Setting the number of rings and the outgoing message:
It is recommended that you set the number of rings on the TAD to 2 or 3. The maximum number of rings allowed is 4, but this may cause problems when receiving faxes. When faxes are being sent, fax tones are transmitted for approximately 35 seconds. If it takes the TAD too long to answer, the transmitting fax machine may disconnect before your FAX/MFC answers the call. We also recommend the TAD's outgoing message be a maximum of 20 seconds with a 5-second pause before the message starts. You should also end your message by giving your Fax Receive Code for people sending manual faxes. For example, "After the beep, leave a message or to send a fax press *51 then the Start button". When they press *51, it will create a fax signal for their machine to send.
We recommend beginning your outgoing message with 5 seconds of silence because the FAX/MFC cannot detect over a loud or resonant voice. You can try omitting this pause, but if your machine has trouble receiving, we recommend that you re-record your outgoing message with the pause included.
