Officejet 3830: Why do I have to hit ACCEPT in order to receive a fax,it is set to AUTO ANSWER?

[Nadine77]

I own the HP OfficeJet 3830. We have a specific phone line just for the fax, so there can be no interuptions with the phone line.

I can send faxes just fine but upon receiving a fax, I have to hit ACCEPT on the touch screen or it will refuse to Auto Answer, despite having the Auto Answer option turned on.  (The sender will receive a bus signal and fax not sent)

I have restarted many, many times trying different settings, unplugged for a period of time and selected the preferences again. Still no luck 😞

[Repairatrooper · Accepted solution]

Try a different phone line, damaged ones can cause errors. Also try setting the unit to manual, restarting and then switching back to automatic. In some cases, a reset to factory settings is required to resolve issues.

[Nadine77]

Thank you so much. I hit RESTORE SETTINGS, I unplugged and plugged back in. Had someone send me a fax, the ACCEPT button came up again but I didn't hit it and eventually it received the fax, whereas before if I didn't hit it, it would cancel the fax.

I appreciate your response and so quickly, saved me alot of headaches. Thank you!

[Syl2]

I have an HP Officejet Pro 8600 and I have the same problem. My settings to receive a fax are set at auto after 2 rings. This has always worked, but no more and now I have to manually accept to receive the fax. I have checked and rechecked the settings. unplugged and re-plugged, done the fax test, which is successful, gone to advanced settings and done the EWS. Still problem unresolved. Even reset factory settings and set up as a new device. Help!

[Hilda1954]

Thanks Nadine77 - it worked for my HP Envy 7640 printer.

[Syl2]

I have not received a resolution to my issue posted.

[Hilda1954]

I changed one setting (just to be able to get to the default change), and then hit Restore Settings, turned off the printer at printer panel and unplugged it.  I waited about 30 seconds, plugged it back and turned it back on at printer panel.  I faxed a fax cover sheet to the fax test number 1 888-473-2963 and waited.  It went through and about five minutes later my fax line rang 5 times (the default setting) and even though Accept came on I didn’t touch it and finally the fax was received.  I hope this helps.

[Hilda1954]

I changed one setting (just to be able to get to the default change), and then hit Restore Settings, turned off the printer at printer panel and unplugged it. I waited about 30 seconds, plugged it back and turned it back on at printer panel. I faxed a fax cover sheet to the fax test number 1 888-473-2963 and waited. It went through and about five minutes later my fax line rang 5 times (the default setting) and even though Accept came on I didn’t touch it and finally the fax was received. I hope this helps.

[Syl2]

Thanks Hilda1954. Finally with your suggestions, I have been able to get the incoming fax to auto accept. Tested through the fax text number.

[Hilda1954]

Great! Praise God!