Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a phone system that uses an Internet connection instead of a traditional phone line.

Although your Brother machine does not support the use of VoIP, the receiving problem you are experiencing may not be related to your VoIP service. You should verify that your telephone line connection and machine functionality are correct before making any adjustments related to the VoIP service.

Follow the steps below to solve the problem:

1. Verify information is displayed on the Brother machine's display (hereinafter called LCD):
   • If the LCD displays the Home screen, go to Step 2.
   • If the LCD displays a menu screen, follow these steps:
     1. Press (Home).
     2. Go to Step 2.
   • If the LCD displays an error message (for example, Paper Jam) or status message (for example, Replace Ink), refer to the solution that addresses the message.
   • If the LCD is blank, follow these steps:
     1. Touch the LCD to make sure the machine isn't in Sleep Mode.
        • When the machine is in Sleep Mode, its LCD will be blank.
     2. Verify the Brother machine's power cord is directly connected from the Brother machine to the power outlet.
        • If the Brother machine's power cord is directly connected to the power outlet, go to Step c.
        • If the Brother machine's power cord is connected to a surge protector or power switch, follow these steps:
          1. Remove the Brother machine's power cord from the surge protector or power switch.
          2. Plug the Brother machine's power cord directly into the power outlet.
          3. Go to Step c.
     3. Press on your Brother machine's control panel to verify the machine is powered on.
        • If your machine is off, its LCD will be blank.
     4. Do one of the following:
        • If the LCD is no longer blank, go to Step 2.
        • If the LCD is still blank, go to Step e.
     5. Connect the machine to a different, known-working power outlet.
        • If the LCD is still blank after you connect the machine to another known-working outlet, please contact Brother Customer Service from "Contact Us."
2. Make sure your telephone cord connections are correct.
   • One end of the telephone cord must be directly connected to the jack labeled LINE on the Brother machine.
   • When using VoIP, the other end of the telephone cord may be connected to a modem, interface box, phone adapter, splitter, etc. This is determined by your VoIP provider.
     If you are unsure of how to connect the Brother machine to the VoIP system, contact your VoIP provider.
3. Make sure the Brother machine has a dial tone.(Click here to see how to verify if the Brother machine has a dial tone.)
   1. Do one of the following:
      • If there is a dial tone, go to Step 6.
      • If there is no dial tone, go to Step b.
   2. Remove the telephone cord from the VoIP system.

      If you are unsure of how the telephone cord is connected to the VoIP system, contact your VoIP provider for assistance.

   3. Use a known-working telephone cord to connect a known-working extension telephone to the same jack on the VoIP system.
   4. Lift the telephone's handset.
   5. Listen for a dial tone.
   6. Hang up the telephone's handset.
      • If the telephone does not have a dial tone, the issue is related to the VoIP system or equipment. You must contact your VoIP provider for assistance.
      • If the telephone has a dial tone, go to Step g.
   7. Disconnect the telephone cord from the telephone.
   8. Directly connect the telephone cord to the jack labeled LINE on your Brother machine.
   9. Check for a dial tone. (Click here to see how to verify if the Brother machine has a dial tone.)
      • If there is a dial tone, go to Step 6.
      • If there is no dial tone, go to Step 4.
4. Test the VoIP system with a known-working telephone and a known-working telephone cord:
   • If you do not have a telephone and a different telephone cord on-hand, contact your VoIP provider for assistance with your telephone cord connections.
   • If you are unsure of how the telephone cord is connected to the VoIP system, contact your VoIP provider for assistance.
     1. Remove the telephone cord from the VoIP system.
     2. Use a known-working telephone cord to connect a known-working extension telephone to the same jack on the VoIP system.
     3. Lift the telephone's handset.
     4. Listen for a dial tone.
     5. Hang up the telephone's handset.
        • If the telephone does not have a dial tone, the issue is related to the VoIP system or equipment. You must contact your VoIP provider for assistance.
        • If the telephone has a dial tone, go to Step f.
     6. Disconnect the telephone cord from the telephone.
     7. Directly connect the telephone cord to the jack labeled LINE on your Brother machine.
     8. Go to Step 5.
5. Make sure the Brother machine has a dial tone.(Click here to see how to verify if the Brother machine has a dial tone.)
   • If there is a dial tone, go to Step 6.
   • If there is no dial tone, please contact Brother Customer Service from "Contact Us."
6. Select the correct Receive Mode. Click here to see more information and how to program them.
   • Using a Distinctive Ring number for receiving faxes.
   • Using your Brother machine on the same line as a voice mail service.
   • Using your Brother machine on the same line as an external answering machine. (External TAD mode)
   • Using your Brother machine on a dedicated fax line. (Fax only mode)
   • Using the Brother machine on the same line as your telephone. (Fax/Tel mode)
   • Manually answer every incoming fax. (Manual mode)

   If Distinctive Ring is on, the LCD will read DR Mode in Use. You will not be able to change the Receive Mode until you turn Distinctive Ring off. For more information click here.

7. Do one of the following:
   • Have someone send a test fax to your Brother machine.
   • Fax a piece of paper with the word TEST printed on it to Brother's automated Fax Test Sheet and Product Registration system at 1-877-268-9575.

   Before you send the test fax, make sure you have programmed your Brother machine's Station ID to include your complete fax number. For more information click here.

   Brother's automated Fax Test Sheet and Product Registration system will automatically fax you a confirmation sheet upon receiving your test fax.
    
8. Do one of the following:
   • If you did not receive the fax, go to Step 9.
   • If you received the fax, your Brother machine is functioning properly.
9. Do one of the following:
   • If your Brother machine is in Manual Mode or Distinctive Ring Mode, go to Step 10.
   • If your Brother machine is in External TAD Mode, program your answering machine to answer after 2 rings to ensure the test fax is answered as quickly as possible. Do not adjust the Brother machine's Ring Delay setting.
     To adjust the number of times your answering machine rings, consult the answering machine's owner's manual.
     Once you have programmed your answering machine to answer after 2 rings, go to Step 10.
   • If your Brother machine is in Fax Only or Fax/Tel Mode, change the Ring Delay setting to 01.
     Follow the steps below
     The Ring Delay setting determines the number of times your Brother machine rings before it answers.

     To adjust your Brother machine's Ring Delay setting, follow these steps:

     1. Press (Settings).
     2. Press All Settings.
     3. Press the Up or Down arrow key to display Fax.
     4. Press Fax.
     5. Press the Up or Down arrow key to display Setup Receive.
     6. Press Setup Receive
     7. Press the Up or Down arrow key to display Ring Delay.
     8. Press Ring Delay.
     9. Press 1.
     10. Press (Home).
     11. Go to Step 10.
10. Do one of the following:
    • Have someone send a test fax to your Brother machine.
    • Fax a piece of paper with the word TEST printed on it to Brother's automated Fax Test Sheet and Product Registration system at 1-877-268-9575.
      Before you send the test fax, make sure you have programmed your Brother machine's Station ID to include your complete fax number. For more information click here.
      Brother's automated Fax Test Sheet and Product Registration system will automatically fax you a confirmation sheet upon receiving your test fax.
11. Do one of the following:
    • If you did not receive the fax, go to Step 12.
    • If you received the fax, your Brother machine is functioning properly.

      Remember to reset your Ring delay setting (refer to Step 9) or answering machine setting (Click here to see for more information).
      If receiving problems recur after you reset your Ring Delay or answering machine setting, then something (i.e., a person or device answering the line) at your location is interfering with the line before your Brother machine has a chance to receive the fax.

12. Do one of the following:
    • If your Brother machine is in Fax Only or Fax/Tel Mode, go to Step 13.
    • If your Brother machine is in External TAD or Manual Mode or Distinctive Ring Mode, change the Ring Delay setting to 01 for testing purposes.(refer to step 9).
13. Do one of the following:
    • If your Brother machine is in Fax Only Mode, go to Step 14.
    • If your Brother machine is in Fax/Tel, External TAD, or Manual Mode or Distinctive Ring Mode, put the machine in Fax Only Mode for testing purposes:

    If Distinctive Ring is on, the LCD will read DR Mode in Use. You will not be able to change the Receive Mode until you turn Distinctive Ring off. For more information click here.

    1. Press (Settings).
    2. Press All Settings.
    3. Press the Up or Down arrow key to display Fax.
    4. Press Fax.
    5. Press the Up or Down arrow key to display Setup Receive.
    6. Press Setup Receive.
    7. Press the Up or Down arrow key to display Receive Mode.
    8. Press Receive Mode.
    9. Press Fax Only.
    10. Press (Home).
    11. Go to Step 14.
14. Do one of the following:
    • Have someone send a test fax to your Brother machine.
    • Fax a piece of paper with the word TEST printed on it to Brother's automated Fax Test Sheet and Product Registration system at 1-877-268-9575.
      Before you send the test fax, make sure you have programmed your Brother machine's Station ID to include your complete fax number. For more information, click here.
      Brother's automated Fax Test Sheet and Product Registration system will automatically fax you a confirmation sheet upon receiving your test fax.
15. Do one of the following:
    • If you did not receive the fax, go to Step 16.
    • If you received the fax, your Brother machine is functioning properly.

      Remember to reset your Receive mode (refer to step 6)Ring delay setting (refer to Step 9) or answering machine setting (Click here to see for more information).

      If receiving problems recur after you reset your Receive mode, Ring Delay or answering machine setting, then something (i.e., a person or device answering the line) at your location is interfering with the line before your Brother machine has a chance to receive the fax.

16. Although your Brother machine does not support the use of VoIP, it has a Compatibility setting that lowers its modem speed. Changing the Compatibility to Basic (for VoIP) may help if you're having problems sending and receiving faxes over VoIP.
    
    To adjust the Compatibility setting, follow these steps:
    1. Press (Settings).
    2. Press All Settings.
    3. press the Up or Down arrow key to display Initial Setup.
    4. Press Initial Setup.
    5. press the Up or Down arrow key to display Compatibility.
    6. Press Compatibility.
    7. Press Basic (for VoIP).
    8. Press (Home).
       If you change the Compatibility to Basic (for VoIP):

       • The machine will print all received faxes in black and white.
       • The Error Correction Mode (ECM) feature will only be available for color fax sending.
17. Although lowering the Brother machine's modem speed may help with your receiving problem, keep in mind there are also many environmental parameters that can also affect fax reception over VoIP.
    • Verify no other applications or computers are downloading files.
      While VoIP operates separately from the computer and they do not normally interfere with each other, the amount of data that can be transmitted from all devices on the system at one time is limited. If a fax is being sent or received and a computer begins downloading, it will consume bandwidth and could prevent the fax from going through.
18. Do one of the following:
    • Have someone send a test fax to your Brother machine.
    • Fax a piece of paper with the word TEST printed on it to Brother's automated Fax Test Sheet and Product Registration system at 1-877-268-9575.
      Before you send the test fax, make sure you have programmed your Brother machine's Station ID to include your complete fax number. For more information click here.
      Brother's automated Fax Test Sheet and Product Registration system will automatically fax you a confirmation sheet upon receiving your test fax.
19. Do one of the following:
    • If you did not receive the fax, go to Step 20.
    • If you received the fax, your Brother machine is functioning properly.

      Remember to reset your Receive mode (refer to step 6), Ring delay setting (refer to Step 9) or answering machine setting (Click here to see for more information).
      If receiving problems recur after you reset your Receive mode, Ring Delay or answering machine setting, then something (i.e., a person or device answering the line) at your location is interfering with the line before your Brother machine has a chance to receive the fax.

20. Do one of the following:
    • If you asked someone to send you a test fax, follow these steps:
      1. Verify you gave the sender the correct fax number, and that he or she is dialing that number correctly.
         • For example, if the sender must dial 9 for an outside line or dial your area code, make sure he or she is doing so.
      2. Have the sender attempt to send you another test fax.
      3. Go to Step 21.
    • If you sent a test fax to Brother's automated Fax Test Sheet and Product Registration system, follow these steps:
      1. Make sure you have correctly programmed your Brother machine's Station ID to include your complete fax number.
         • For more information click here.
      2. Fax another piece of paper with the word TEST printed on it to Brother's automated Fax Test Sheet and Product Registration system at 1-877-268-9575.
      3. Go to Step 21.
21. Do one of the following:
    • If you did not receive the fax:
      1. Have someone send you a fax at an "off-peak" time.
         • VoIP is an Internet application, so it is susceptible to network congestion. If you have ever noticed a website that usually loads quickly taking a long time to load, then you have experienced network congestion.  Because faxing is a time-sensitive process, network congestion on your VoIP system may cause fax transmissions to time out before your machine can receive them.  You may be able to avoid this having the other party send the fax later. Contact your VoIP provider and ask if they can optimize the network settings for fax transmission.
    • If you received the fax, your Brother machine is functioning properly.

      Remember to reset your Receive mode (refer to step 6), Ring delay setting (refer to Step 9) or answering machine setting (Click here to see for more information).
      If receiving problems recur after you reset your Receive mode, Ring Delay or answering machine setting, then something (i.e., a person or device answering the line) at your location is interfering with the line before your Brother machine has a chance to receive the fax.