HP8600 Receive FAX

[Vince8600]

HI:

It has been a very long time since I last received a FAX.  It did work at one time. I know nothing about HP Smart app or the HP Scan and Capture app. 

I have trouble receiving FAXes via my HP8600 and Windows10 desktop.  They are both wired to Verizon Router. 

The HP8600 shares a telephone answering system on my home telephone line. 

To receive a FAX, I turned off the telephone answering machine and waited for a medical office's fax call.  I then picked up the telephone handset and heard FAX tones.  I am uncertain if the incoming fax was actually received; I cannot locate the proper storage folder on WIN10. The printer's control panel did not indicate that a FAX was received. 

Where should I look for the received FAX?

Should I attempt to use the HP text fax routine first? 

[Nal_NR]

Hi @Vince8600,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be happy to help you! 

I understand that you are having issues with the fax.

To receive faxes successfully with your HP Officejet Pro 8600 Plus e-All-in-One Printer (model N911g) on a shared telephone line, you need to ensure that the printer and your Windows 10 desktop are configured correctly. Here are some steps to troubleshoot and verify the setup:

1. Check Fax Setup on HP Officejet Pro 8600 Plus:

Auto Answer Setting:

• Ensure that Auto Answer is turned on. This allows the printer to automatically receive faxes without needing to pick up the phone manually.
• On the printer's control panel, navigate to Fax > Settings > Auto Answer and make sure it's set to "On."

Rings to Answer:

• Set the number of rings before the fax answers. If you share the line with a phone, set the fax machine to answer after more rings than your telephone answering machine (e.g., if your answering machine answers after 4 rings, set the fax to answer after 6 rings).
• Go to Fax > Settings > Rings to Answer on the printer’s control panel.

Fax Forwarding:

• Ensure that Fax Forwarding isn’t turned on unless you specifically need it to forward faxes to another number.
• Check this in Fax > Settings > Fax Forwarding.

2. Ensure Proper Connection:

Phone Line Configuration:

• Make sure the phone line is correctly connected to the printer. The line from the wall should go into the port labeled "1-LINE" on the printer. If you’re sharing the line with a phone, the phone should be connected to the "2-EXT" port on the printer.

Check for Filters:

• If you’re using DSL, ensure that there’s a DSL filter on the phone line that connects to the printer. A missing or improperly placed filter can cause issues with fax reception.

3. Check Fax Storage on Windows 10:

Digital Fax Settings:

• If you’ve set up Digital Fax on your HP Officejet Pro 8600, the received faxes should be stored in a folder on your Windows 10 desktop.
• To check or set this up, open the HP Printer Assistant on your desktop, go to Fax > Digital Fax Setup and verify the folder location where faxes are saved.

Printer's Memory:

• If Digital Fax isn’t set up, the printer may store faxes in its internal memory. You can view received faxes from the printer's control panel by navigating to Fax > Fax Log.

Please find the remaining steps in the next post. 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

[Nal_NR]

Hi @Vince8600,

Please find the remaining steps below.

4. Test Fax Reception:

Perform a Fax Test:

• You can run a fax test from the printer's control panel to ensure everything is set up correctly. Go to Fax > Tools > Run Fax Test.

Receive a Test Fax:

• Try sending a test fax from another location or service to ensure that your printer can receive it properly.

5. Fax Log:

• Review the Fax Log:
  • Check the printer’s fax log to see if the fax was received or if there were any errors. This can be done on the printer’s control panel under Fax > Fax Log.

6. Check for Errors:

• Error Messages:
  • Look for any error messages on the printer's display that might indicate issues with fax reception.

You may also refer to this document for further assistance on fax issues.

Note:

• Ensure Auto Answer is on, set appropriate Rings to Answer, check connections, and verify fax storage settings on your Windows 10 desktop.
• Use the fax test feature to ensure the setup is correct.

If the problem persists after checking these settings, there might be an issue with the phone line, or the fax machine needs service. In that case, contact HP phone support. 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

[Vince8600]

After reading the suggested steps, I have made some progress; well, sort of ~!~

I have set the Auto Answer to ON.

I set the telephone answering maching to OFF (will not answer calls).

I have set the Smart Block feature of the answering machine to OFF. 

_______________________________________________________________

I have made several Test Faxes to HPFaxme on 21st and 27th Aug.

I stumbled onto the FaxLog, which I printed. 

The FaxLog shows "OK" for the outgoing TestFax.

The FaxLog shows Received faxes, several minutes later,  but each is also marked as "Not Saved". 

I stumbled onto Faxes in the printer's memory, and have printed them, including the one of my primary interest from the medical office.  

So. I believe that if I am given instructions to properly setup DigitalFax with my Windows10 desktop PC, I should be able to solve this problem .  

[Nal_NR]

Hi @Vince8600.

Splendid analysis and remarkable patience were shown. It is immensely appreciated.

To set up Digital Fax on your HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 with your Windows 10 desktop PC, follow these instructions:

Step 1: Check Requirements

1. Ensure the printer is connected to your PC via USB or is on the same network if connected wirelessly.
2. Ensure you have HP software installed. You can use the HP Smart app or the full-feature HP software package for your printer. If you haven't installed it yet, download it from the HP Support website.

Step 2: Set Up Digital Fax

Open the HP Printer Assistant:

• Search for "HP" on your PC, and click on your printer to open the HP Printer Assistant.

Access Fax Settings:

• In the HP Printer Assistant, click on Fax and then Fax Setup Wizard or Set up Digital Fax.

Set Up the Digital Fax:

• Click on Digital Fax Setup or Fax to PC and Fax to Mac Setup, depending on what options are displayed.
• Choose Enable Fax to PC, then select Receive Faxes to This Computer.
• Choose where you want to save the faxes on your PC by clicking Browse and selecting a folder.
• You can set additional preferences, such as whether to print the fax after it's received or send notifications.

Configure the Fax Settings:

• Adjust settings such as the resolution, fax header, and number of rings before answering as per your requirements.
• Ensure that Receive Faxes Automatically is enabled.

Test the Setup:

• Send a test fax to verify that the setup is working correctly. You can use the printer's control panel or an external fax machine to send a test fax.

Step 3: Verify and Troubleshoot

• Check Fax Logs: You can view fax logs in the HP Printer Assistant under the fax section to verify that faxes are being received.
• Check Network Connection: Ensure that your printer is correctly connected to the network or your PC.
• Review Error Messages: If there's an issue, the HP Printer Assistant should display relevant error messages that can guide further troubleshooting.

If you follow these steps, you should be able to set up Digital Fax and start receiving faxes on your Windows 10 desktop PC. Let me know if you encounter any specific errors or need additional help!

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

[Vince8600]

At Step 2:

Step 2: Set Up Digital Fax

Open the HP Printer Assistant:

• Search for "HP" on your PC, and click on your printer to open the HP Printer Assistant.

Access Fax Settings:

• In the HP Printer Assistant, click on Fax and then Fax Setup Wizard or Set up Digital Fax. 

I do not see an option for FAX, etc.   

What I do see is an option for:

Connect a new printer

or

Add more software. 

I have a shortcut for HP Printer Assistant on my desktop, but I am uncertain that it leads me to the correct software. 

Where can I get the proper "Printer Assistant" software  package?  Is Printer Assistant a subset of some other HP software? 

Whenever possible, I would like to control the HP8600 by use of my desktop PC's keyboard and mouse, while seated; rather than standing next to the printer's Control Panel and fumbling with the rather small screen options. 

[Nal_NR]

Hi @Vince8600 ,

We apologize for the inconvenience, but it seems that the issue persists even after attempting the troubleshooting steps mentioned above.

I would recommend you contact phone support for further assistance.

For that to happen, we will give you additional instructions/information via Private Message.

Please check your inbox on the forums page for the private message.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.