Why is my fax not going through? Why did my fax fail to send?
Sending a fax can be straightforward, but occasionally you might encounter some common issues. At Fax.Plus, we've identified the most frequent fax errors users experience, along with tips on how you can prevent or resolve them.
Understanding 9 Most Common Fax Errors and How to Avoid Them
1. Destination Number Blocked
This occurs if the destination number is restricted due to local regulations or classified as a special service number by our telecom providers. Such numbers are often high-risk or high-cost destinations.
Confirm the destination number.
Contact support if you believe this restriction is in error.
2. No Fax Detected
This error indicates that our system called the recipient, but a fax machine wasn’t detected at the other end.
Confirm with your recipient that their fax machine is turned on and properly functioning.
Ensure the recipient prepares their fax machine prior to your sending attempt.
3. No Answer
If your call goes unanswered by either a person or a fax machine:
Retry sending at a time when you know the recipient's fax machine is active.
Confirm the recipient’s machine settings for automatic answer.
4. Communication Error
The "Failed (Communication Error)" message can result from multiple issues:
A call disconnecting prematurely, often if the recipient ends the call.
Poor call quality.
Multiple unsuccessful sending attempts.
To address this:
Simply retry sending your fax; subsequent attempts often succeed.
5. Fax Negotiation Failed
This issue may occur for various technical reasons, such as synchronization failure between your system and the recipient's fax machine, or unexpected responses during communication.
Ensure the recipient’s fax machine is properly configured.
Retry your fax transmission; a subsequent attempt may resolve temporary glitches.
6. Number Busy
Encountering a "Number Busy" error means the recipient's line is currently occupied.
Wait a few minutes before retrying your fax.
7. Invalid Destination Number
This indicates errors in the destination number format.
Double-check the destination number, including country code and area code.
Example: For the USA, your number should begin with +1.
8. File Conversion Issue
Faxing digital documents requires conversion to analog format. Password-protected files or corrupted documents may fail during conversion.
Ensure your file isn’t password-protected.
Verify document integrity before attempting again.
Check our Status page for potential system-wide issues.
9. Insufficient Credit
This error appears when your account balance or monthly allowance is insufficient for the fax you're attempting to send. Remember, depending on your fax destination, one page may count as multiple pages. To fix this:
Check our Rates page for more information.
Top up your credit or upgrade your subscription plan.
Try sending your fax again.
Source: Why did my fax fail to send?
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