fax interference

[MrB4Rosie]

Very often when the printer is switched on and someone phones me on my landline the fax signal generates much to the detriment of my ears and those of my caller.   Why is this?

[DocCottle]

Hey @MrB4Rosie,

I understand that you are having some issues  with the M277n Printer interfering with your phone calls. I can help you with that.

To start, make sure the printer is plugged directly into a wall outlet and not a surge protector. Once done, this document outlines how to troubleshoot fax issues with your printer. The document is aimed more at issues with sending or receiving, but it should assist you with determining why you are hearing the noises.

Please let me know the results after following the above. If you reach some resolution, please click on Accept Solution. If you appreciate my help, please click on the thumbs up icon. Both icons are below this post.

[MrB4Rosie]

Dear DocCottle, many thanks for this but the problem I have is that I have only one wall outlet which serves the fax,  modem and landline which obviously have to be protected by an ADSL filter.   However, on checking I discovered that the fax is double ADSL protected so I have removed this.

The printer is plugged directly to the wall without a surge protector.   Did you actually mean the filter rather than the surge protector.?

Thanks again.

[DocCottle]

Ah, you have a digital line. Fax technology and line technology developed in different ways so they are not always guaranteed to work together. 

The ideal solution would be to break everything up so that they are connected to different wall outlets. Failing that if everything is all using one line then:

The modem is the closest device to the wall outlet.

The fax cable that came with the printer connects the modem to the printer. The fax cable connects to "Line 1" or the port with the picture of a wall outlet beside it.

the phone connects to "Line 2" or the port with the picture of a telephone.

Also, you will want to set the fax speed to Medium (or Slow) and turn off Error Correction on the printer.

Please let me know if that helps to reduce the noise you are hearing.

[MrB4Rosie · Accepted solution]

Dear DocCottle,

Many thanks for this.   The problem is only occasional so I shall wait until the problem recurs.   However, I am not sure I understand what it is you want me to do.   For instance, the modem is not the closest device to the phone socket but that shouldn't make any difference as the cable attaching it is fine.   The fax cable is attached to the computer not the modem and the modem is attached to the computer as well as the phone socket.

Best wishes.

[DocCottle]

The fax document I linked initially should have a diagram that shows you how to connect everything. Basically you want everything linked together like a chain: Wall->fax cable->printer->telephone cable->computer->telephone cable->telephone. 

The most likely thing to get missed is the fax cable that came with the printer needs to connect it to the modem. If you use a different cable in that position, your fax tests will fail and you will be unable to fax.

If you need more assistance, please feel free to contact HP Support directly by clicking on this link and filling out the form at the bottom and they should be able to assist you with this issue.