On the covered Epson WorkForce Pro printer, 202, 204, 205 means 202: the line was disconnected by the recipient's fax machine. 204: the recipient's fax machine is busy. 205: the recipient's fax machine does not answer. First, confirm the recipient's number.
Differential
Likely causes of “Epson WorkForce Pro printer code 202, 204, 205”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The recipient's fax machine disconnected the line
What separates it The call connected and then ended at once, with the fax job marked failed
How to confirm Try the same number again in a minute or two
- 2
The recipient's fax machine is busy
What separates it The number returns a busy signal, or the job reports that the line was busy
How to confirm Wait several minutes and send the fax again
- 3
The recipient's fax machine does not answer
What separates it The call rings out with no fax tone
How to confirm Confirm the number with the recipient and ask whether the machine is on
- 4
A wrong number or a missing prefix
What separates it The call reaches a voice line, a person or nothing at all
How to confirm Check every digit, any area code and any prefix for an outside line
- 5
A line fault on your own side
What separates it Other calls from the line also fail, or there is no dial tone
How to confirm Plug a telephone into the printer's line port and test it
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which code appeared: 202, 204 or 205
- The number that was dialled, with any prefix
- The time of day and whether the recipient's office was open
- Whether other faxes from the printer succeed
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleConfirm the recipient's number.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleEpson's step for all three is to wait a moment and then try again.
Confirm the number
ReversibleCheck the digits, the area code and any prefix required for an outside line, since a wrong number looks like a failure.
Wait a moment, as Epson advises
ReversibleFor all three codes the guide's step is to wait a moment and then try again, because the recipient's machine may be busy or recovering.
Resend the fax
ReversibleSend the job again once the wait has passed and see whether the result changes.
Call the recipient
ReversibleAsk whether their fax machine is switched on, has paper and is set to answer. A machine that is switched off gives the 205 result.
Test your own line
ReversiblePlug a telephone into the line port and listen for a dial tone, which shows the line is working.
Contact Epson if all faxes fail
ReversibleIf your line works and every fax fails, Epson support can check the printer's fax settings.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Parts involved
- None on your printer; the fault is at the other end or on the line.
- Source
- Epson's WF-8590 user's guide, status menu error codes.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the number is correct and the fault persists, call the recipient to check that their machine is on and has paper
- !Test your own line with an ordinary telephone before blaming the printer
- !Contact Epson if every fax from the printer fails on a good line
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does 202, 204, 205 mean on a Epson WorkForce Pro printer?+
202: the line was disconnected by the recipient's fax machine. 204: the recipient's fax machine is busy. 205: the recipient's fax machine does not answer.
Does it mean my printer is broken?+
No. These codes describe what happened at the other end of the call, not a fault in your printer.
Should I send the fax again?+
Yes. Epson's step for all three codes is to wait a moment and try again.
Could the number be wrong?+
Yes, so check it first, since a wrong number can produce the same result.
Will the printer redial by itself?+
If automatic redial is switched on in the fax settings, it will try again a few times.