How to Troubleshoot a Brother IntelliFax

Use a standard telephone to check the line for a dial tone.

The Brother Intellifax line of fax machines includes models from economical home office units to larger, business-class solutions. If a problem prevents one of these Brother Intellifax fax machines from functioning properly, you can choose to troubleshoot on your own to find the cause. Troubleshooting two of the most common culprits behind this type of failure, including issues with phone line connectivity and paper handling problems, can lead you to a resolution without the need to contact a service support technician.

Things You'll Need

• Telephone (optional)
• Spare phone cord (optional)

Instructions

Phone Line Connectivity

1. Verify that one end of the phone line connects firmly into the wall jack and the other end connects firmly into the jack labeled “Line.” Find the “Line” jack on the left side of the back of most Brother Intellifax models.

2. Check for a dial tone. Lift the telephone handset attached to your Brother Intellifax and listen for a dial tone. If you do not hear a dial tone, then disconnect the phone line from the back of the Intellifax. Plug the phone line into a standard telephone and listen for a dial tone. If you hear a dial tone, then the problem lies with the Intellifax hardware and you must contact a service technician for further assistance. If you do not hear a dial tone, then the problem lies with the phone line or the telephone cord. Replace the telephone cord, and if the problem persists, contact your phone company.

3. Verify the recipient’s fax number, and confirm the sender has your correct fax number. Incorrect fax numbers prevent you from sending and receiving faxes successfully.

Paper Handling Problems

1. Remove document jams by lifting the control panel and pulling the document toward the front of the machine. Then close the control panel and press the “Stop/Exit” button. Document jams occur when the original document fails to feed properly. In addition, they occur when the original document is too long. Do not attempt to remove a jam by pulling the document out the back of the machine.

2. Clear paper jams from the paper tray. Most Brother Intellifax models have a paper tray you can pull out of the machine. Remove this tray, and check for and remove any bent or crinkled paper. Adjust the paper guides so that they secure the paper without causing the paper to bend, and then reinsert the paper tray into the Intellifax. If your Intellifax model does not have this type of removable tray, lift the paper out of the exterior tray and then replace the paper carefully.

3. Open the front cover to locate and clear paper jams from the front of the machine. Lift the front cover, then remove the drum unit by pulling it upward and outward. Place the drum unit on a flat service before continuing. Grasp the edge of the jammed paper with your fingers and pull it toward you gently. Make sure you do not leave any paper behind because even small pieces can cause the Intellifax to jam repeatedly. Insert the drum unit, and then close the front cover. Do remove the paper jam forcefully because this can damage the machine.

4. Open the rear cover to clear paper jams from the back of the machine. Lift the rear cover and grasp the edge of the jammed paper with your fingers. Pull the paper toward you gently, making sure not to leave behind and torn pieces of paper. Close the rear cover once you remove all the jammed paper.

Tips & Warnings

• Loose toner particles may fall on the user when you remove a paper jam from the back of the many Intellifax models. Printing a few test pages after removing the paper jam helps avoid unreadable faxes.

• Problems with the phone line can cause problems with the appearance of incoming faxes. Check your connection if your faxes appear streaked or if they are missing lines.

• Use caution when removing paper jams from inside the Intellifax. Some interior components become hot and touching them can result in burns.

• Do not leave the drum unit exposed to light for an extended period of time after you remove it to clear a paper jam. Doing so can result in damage to the drum unit.

References

• Brother; Fax-4100, Fax-4750e, Fax-5750e Owner’s Manual; 1996-2002

Resources

• Brother Intellifax Models