How to Turn off Fax Completely

[anderson1947]

My printer stopped working.  The window says "DigitalFaxError".

I believe what is happening is that I changed my phone to VOIP, which is plugged into my router in another part of the house, so I no longer have the capability to plug the all in one to a phone line, which is fine because I no longer use faxes.

But, the darn printer won't print from the computer which I suspect because it's programming says it hasn't have the phone line plugged in first.

I just want my printer to work from the computer (the copy function works incidentally), and if there's an easier way to get it working fine, but otherwise how do I completely eliminate the fax sequence so I can print.

[Gemini02]

Hi @anderson1947,

Welcome back to the HP Support Forums! I see that you are having issues faxing since changing over to VOIP. You would like to know how to resolve that issue or to just turn off the fax. I would like to help you out today. If this helps you to reach a solution, please click the "Accept as Solution" button down below in this message. If you wish to say thanks for my effort to help, click the " Thumbs Up " to give me a Kudos.

Where are you getting the error from?

You can turn turn off the the Digital Fax, access the printer's Embedded Web Server if the printer is networked.

By typing the printer's IP address into your web browser.

Click on the Fax tab.

Select HP Digital Fax.

Then on the right side of the window you should have the option to turning it off.

You may have the option from the HP Solutions Center Software to turn it off the fax settings if you are you connected by a USB or networked.

I would suggest to download and run the Print and Scan Doctor, it will diagnose the issue and might automatically resolve it.

What were the results when you ran the Print and Scan Doctor? (did it print or scan, any error messages)

Here is a document for setting up the fax: HP All-in-One and Fax Products - Using an HP All-in-One or Fax Product on a PBX, ISDN, or DSL Phone ...

If there is anything else I can help you with, just let me know. Thank you.

[anderson1947]

The Print Doctor came up dry.

The error message is on the printer window.

The printer is not linked wirelessly. It is plugged into the computer with a USB cable, so I assume your question about the printer IP address is not revelant, is that right?

I already tried HP Solutions to turn the entire fax function off, but all the setup functions there involve how to turn it on not off.

I also just tried to plug in a dummy phone line from printer to computer, but that didn't do anything.

I'm down to uninstalling and reinstalling driver, but loathe to do that because I had no scanner function for a year and finally got it back and am afraid of losing that again if I reinstall.

[anderson1947]

My printer stopped working. The window says "DigitalFaxError". I believe what is happening is that I changed my phone to VOIP, which is plugged into my router in another part of the house, so I no longer have the capability to plug the all in one to a phone line, which is fine because I no longer use faxes. But, the darn printer won't print from the computer which I suspect because it's programming says it hasn't have the phone line plugged in first. I just want my printer to work from the computer (the copy function works incidentally), and if there's an easier way to get it working fine, but otherwise how do I completely eliminate the fax sequence so I can print.

[Simple1234]

What model of All-in-One is this?

Typically, for the same All-in_one, you have 2 "printers" on windows, one the printer (for example, mine says "OfficeJet Pro 8600 Printer"), and the other the fax (like "OfficeJet Pro 8600 FAX"), make sure you select the printer not the fax when print.

If you will not be needing the fax functionality, in control panel, devices and printers, find the one with the  "FAX" in the name, right mouse and delete.

Probably also right mouse on the printer, "make as default printer", so that next time print, that's the printer used.

[anderson1947]

I have an all in one 8500, but yes, it sets up with two driver options one for printer and the other to select from Fax.

But, I already deleted in control panel the one for Fax and already have the Printer one as default.

[anderson1947]

Gemini,

    My apologies in the delay in responding, but we were out of town when yours arrived and just got back to the office.

    In answer to your question, currently the error message is on the computer not the printer, and in different forms depending on the application. In Word Perfect, the PRINT  and PROPERTIES buttons are greyed out. In Outlook, the pop up window error message says "There was an error when printing started.'

   I redid HP Printer Doctor again to remind myself, and it did nothing but send me through without a diagnosis.

   I tried the IP address you mentioned, even though I didn't see it as likely because the printer is connected with a USB cord not wirelessly. If I'm finding the right place for it on the printer screen via NETWORK -> ADVANCED SETTINGS -> MANUAL IP ADDRESS, it shows "IP ADRESS: NO LINK". Is there another way to find it, or am I right there will be none for wired hookup?

   I previously did turn off the fax from the Solutions Center but that did nothing.

   This is so weird, but very bad. I am totally crippled without access to my printer.

   Please help.

                                                          Peter

[Gemini02]

Hi @anderson1947,

Thanks for providing all that information, that should help.

When you ran the PSDR, were you able to print the test page? (any error messages)

Try printing from a simple application, like note pad and the internet. Let me know the results.

I am trying to find out if is the drivers or the applications being used.

If the issue is from Microsoft Word, then it may be a issue with the User Accounts, please try the following to see if it will help.
Go to the Control Panel, User Accounts, Change User Account Settings, then drag the slider down to never notify, then restart the computer and try printing again from the other applications.

Let me know when you find out. Thank you.

[anderson1947]

The test page did not print, but the subsequent internal test page did print.

When I downloaded Windows 10, it appears that I no longer have the simple notepad app on my computer, but I cannot print from any browser page either. I can't print from any computer application, though each fails to print slightly differently on the computer, not on the printer, screen. And, again, the printer's internal copy function works.

The problem is not limited to MS Word.

I continue to believe I have to disconnect the Fax function to the point that the printer's program will no longer stop printing when it sees no phone connected.  There has to be a way to do this to "fool" that damnable program step.

[Gemini02]

Hi @anderson1947,

I came across some information that may help, one poster mentioned that they received the error due to a fax coming in with a character in the fax causing this issue. Try clearing the fax log to see if it will help.

• Go to Setup, Tools, Clear Fax Log.

I will send you another step to try in a private message.
In the forum beside your handle name just click on the envelope to view it.

If you are still having issues, uninstall and reinstall the print drivers through the Add Printer Wizard from the Devices and Printers window.

Let me know how you make out. Thank you.