This will occur if there are multiple lines and telephone jacks in the same location. Or if the telephone jack is wired for two lines. For example, line one is to be used for voice calls and line two is to receive faxes. Disconnect the fax machine from the telephone wall jack. Connect a known functioning single-line telephone directly to the telephone wall jack.
The fax machine will receive faxes automatically in FaxTel Mode and will ring to alert you of an incoming phone call. While the fax is alerting you of the incoming phone call, answer the call on an extension telephone connected to the fax . The instructions below illustrate how the devices should be connected.
Facsimile equipment ( fax machines ), like other telephone answering devices, require ring voltage at a telephone jack to answer automatically. The ring voltage is one of the services provided by the local phone company.
Devices such as a computer modem, answering machine not connected to the fax or similar answering device may automatically pick up the call. Resend a test fax to your machine to make sure it answers. If your answering machine is not connected to the fax machine , the fax will not be able to detect the transmit signals emitted from the sending machine. Connect the answering machine to the fax as indicated, marked by a blue arrow in the magnified view.