Overview
This article describes possible causes and the solution when sending outbound faxes fails with a "No Answer" error sent through an email notification to the sender as shown below:
Solution
According to FaxMaker Online Error String Explanations, the No Answer error indicates that the line was not picked up (answered) by a fax machine or person before timing out. The standard timeout is usually sufficient to ensure a minimum of 5-8 standard rings, which is a duration of 55 seconds.
This error can occur in these scenarios:
- Transmission timeouts
- Sending faxes to an international premium rate or toll-free fax number.
- Call forwarding to or from off-network numbers
Senders can easily troubleshoot the issue by calling the number directly and verifying that they can hear a fax tone. If no fax tone is heard, reach out to the recipient and request them to provide an alternative non-restricted fax number.
If a fax tone is heard, it is possible that there is call forwarding in place. Call forwarding is not supported and the customer should be advised to port the number to FaxMaker Online. See Call Forwarding to FaxMaker Online Numbers for more information and recommendations for this scenario.
GFI FaxMaker Online does not support sending faxes to Premium Rate and Toll-free numbers as such numbers do not usually accept international calls; given that all faxes are sent to originate from the U.S. This external article provides the well-known toll-free telephone number prefixes for different countries.
Testing
Once the root cause has been isolated and addressed as recommended, a test fax can be successfully sent and delivered without errors.