Efficient communication is the lifeblood of many businesses, and fax is a vital part of that ecosystem. Yet, the reliability of any fax system can be undermined by a multitude of technical issues. In a recent webinar, we dove deep into the common pitfalls of fax transmissions and strategies for troubleshooting these challenges. Here’s what we unraveled.
Identifying the Culprits of Fax Failures
When a fax fails, frustration ensues, and the culprit is often a stealthy technical issue. One of the prime suspects is the infamous insufficient number or incorrect recipient number. This standard user error can lead to wasted time and resources. Phone lines or SIP trunk quality, gateway configurations, FOIP protocols, and outdated fax drivers can also conspire against successful transmissions.
Interference during the actual transmission can lead to corrupted data or line drops. To safeguard against these silent disruptors, setting up and regularly checking your systems can act as a preemptive shield. Ensuring that SIP and H323 configurations are optimized, employing robust transport protocols such as T38, and always having the most up-to-date drivers are all part of this proactive defense strategy.
Decoding Fax Call Status & Failure Codes
The language of fax diagnostics is a world unto its own, filled with call status notifications and failure codes. Understanding these messages can be the key to unlocking the mystery behind why your fax failed. For instance, status codes like NA, NB, BS, and CO tell you the state of prospective calls, while failure codes give precise reasons for call termination, such as no answer or busy signals at the recipient’s end.
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Call Status:
- NA = No Answer
- NB = Non-Busy
- BS = Busy Signal
- CO = Cut off
Failure Codes:
- FCP_RNGNOANS – Indicates the remote end was ringing but did not answer
- FCP_SITNOCIR – No circuit detected; end office or carrier originating failure, possible deadline)
- DIAL_NO_LOOP – There is no line plugged into the board, or the line is totally dead
- FCP_BUSY – Normal busy; remote end busy – off hook
- FCP_HUMAN – Answer – probable human detected; does not match any other expected call progress signal pattern
Peering into the message tracker is where the real sleuthing begins. This tool provides a detailed log of the call’s progress and the specific error code encountered. For a successful fax, you’re looking for a Message Confirmation (MCF) at the receiving end. But when things go awry, a lack of response and missed MCFs point to the issues that caused the setback.
To correct or adjust settings on your servers, modify configurations, including BTcall and Callcontrol, and adjust the CED time ops setting. Implement settings like (T4 xmit_timer 10000 & T4_recv_timer 10000) to extend the default time the fax device waits before ending the call, potentially resolving failures.
Alternative Fax Options for a Reliability Boost
Technologies like T38Fax and Fax 2.0 are designed to minimize failures and offer a smoother faxing experience. For those transitioning from physical phone lines, T38Fax is a beneficial gateway option. Additionally, the federal government’s mandate of attaching numbers to fax numbers is a regulatory step that can enhance the reliability of fax communications.
Etherfax is one such modern faxing alternative that is rapidly gaining traction due to its low failure rates and ease of implementation. This cloud faxing solution offers a robust alternative to conventional fax methods, ensuring that your business’s communication remains prompt and reliable. Switching to these alternative options can be the reset button that your fax system needs to operate at peak efficiency.
Get Ahead with Lane: Your Fax Solution Specialist
By delving into the nuances of your fax configuration, deciphering error messages, and exploring contemporary alternatives, businesses can transform their fax communications. This webinar serves as a primer for anyone looking to streamline their faxing processes, prevent unwarranted communication delays, and maintain the resilient lines of dialogue that underpin business operations. Reach out to Lane today for insights on efficiently handling fax failures.
