HP4620 answers all calls in auto mode

[billTcalif]

Apparently I never understood what Auto Answer means for this fax machine.  I had always had it set to Auto Answer until just recently when non-Fax calls began to be answered by the fax machine. There is a telephone and answering machine sharing the same line with the Fax machine.  The Fax machine was set up to answer in 2 rings (its minimum).  The answering machine was set up to answer in 6.   I had always thought the machine waited for a signal from the transmitting fax, which you can hear when a remote fax attempts a call.  So something has changed as I now have to set the Fax answering mode to Manual so it does not answer a non-Fax call.  

I won't ask what or why things have changed.  But I would like to know why HP doesn't make the Auto Answer function truly automatic and only answer Fax calls.

[ShlomiL · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Auto Answer means the fax answers any incoming call automatically, it do not refer to any call type detection as listed by the printer manual.

The printer can operate among a TAM (Telephone Answering Machine) but must be configured correctly, the fax should answer 1-2 rings after the TAM, then the fax will only operate if a fax signal is detected.

I suggest setting your answering machine to answer after 4 rings, and the fax after 6 rings.

You may find detailed instructions within the Following document:

http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-Officejet-4620-e-All-in-One-Printer-series/5101229/model/5101...

Below is the relevant section within the article:

Follow these steps to set up the fax on a shared voice/fax line with an answering machine.

Step one: Connect the fax printer

1. Unplug any telephone devices from the phone jack where you are connecting the HP product.
2. Remove the plug from the port labeled 2-EXT on the rear of the product.
3. Unplug your answering machine phone cord from the phone jack, and then connect the answering machine phone cord to the port labeled 2-EXT on the rear of the product.

    note:

   If you do not connect your answering machine directly to the HP product, your answering machine might record fax tones from a sending fax machine, and then the HP product might not receive faxes.

4. Connect one end of the phone cord that came in the box with the product to the phone jack, and then connect the other end to the port labeled 1-LINE on the rear of the product.
   Figure : Connection setup with telephone answering machine

   

   1. Phone wall jack
   2. Phone cord that comes with the printer
   3. Answering machine
   4. Telephone (optional)
   Important! Make sure that you use the phone cord and any adapters that came with the product to connect the product to the phone jack. If you do not, you might not be able to fax successfully.
5. Optional step: If your answering machine does not have a built-in phone, for convenience you can connect a phone to the rear of your answering machine at the OUT port.

Step two: Change the Rings to Answer setting to the maximum

1. On the product control panel, press the Power button () to turn on the product.
2. Press the Setup button ().
3. Press the button () next to the Down Arrow until Fax Setup displays next to OK.
4. Press the button next to OK.
5. Press the button next to the Down Arrow () until Basic Fax Setup displays next to OK.
6. Press the button next to OK.
7. Press the button next to the Down Arrow () until Rings to Answer displays next to OK.
8. Press the button next to OK.
9. Press the button next to the Plus sign ( + ) to change the setting to the highest number of rings available, and then press the button next to OK.
10. Press the Home icon () to return to the main screen.

Step three: Turn on Auto Answer

1. On the product control panel, press the Power button () to turn on the product.
2. Press the Setup button ().
3. Press the button () next to the Down Arrow () until Fax Setup displays next to OK.
4. Press the button next to OK.
5. Press the button next to OK again to select Auto Answer.
6. If necessary, press the button next to the Down Arrow () until On displays next to OK.
7. Press the Home icon () to return to the main menu.