What causes printer to switch from phone to fax when phone goes unanswered for a few rings?

[MVT1]

The phone rings and if it goes unanswered for a few rings the printer automatically switches to receiving a fax mode.  Just started doing this this month.  How do I stop this from happening.  I'm missing some important calls.

[B_Will]

Change the number of rings before answer on the printer.

Set the number of rings-to-answer
When the answer mode is set to Automatic, the product rings-to-answer setting determines the number of
times the telephone rings before the product answers an incoming call.
If the product is connected to a line that receives both fax and voice calls (a shared line) and that also uses an
answering machine, you might need to adjust the rings-to-answer setting. The number of rings-to-answer
for the product must be greater than the rings-to-answer on the answering machine. This allows the
answering machine to answer the incoming call and record a message if it is a voice call. When the answering
machine answers the call, the product listens to the call and automatically answers it if it detects fax tones.
The default setting for rings-to-answer is five for the U.S. and Canada, and two for other countries/regions.
Use the following table to determine the number of rings-to-answer to use.
Type of telephone line Recommended rings-to-answer setting
Dedicated fax line (receiving only fax calls) Set to a number of rings within the range shown on the controlpanel display. (The minimum and maximum number of rings
allowed varies by country/region.)
One line with two separate numbers and a ring-pattern service One or two rings. (If you have an answering machine or computer
voicemail for the other telephone number, make sure that the
product is set to a greater number of rings than the answering
system. Also, use the distinctive-ring feature to differentiate
between voice and fax calls.)
Shared line (receiving both fax and voice calls) with only an
attached telephone
Five rings or more.
Shared line (receiving both fax and voice calls) with an attached
answering machine or computer voicemail
Two rings more than the answering machine or computer
voicemail.
To set or change the number of rings-to-answer, use the following steps:
1. On the control panel, press the Setup button.
2. Use the arrow buttons to select the Fax setup menu, and then press the OK button.
3. Use the arrow buttons to select the Fax Recv. setup menu, and then press the OK button.
4. Use the arrow buttons to select the Rings to answer menu, and then press the OK button.
5. Use the keypad to enter the number of rings-to-answer, and then press the OK button.