Just need to know how to set up fax? I don't have owner's manual anymore. do I just plug the phone line into the back?

Your fax can share the line with your phone, but it needs to be set to answer or not, depending on your equipment and choices.You can download the manual from Brother here. The receive modes are explained on page 5-1.
If you're often out when faxes or phone messages might come in, you probably need to plug an answering machine into the back of the fax (the EXT. jack) and put the fax in FAX / TAD mode. (TAD stands for Telephone Answering Device. Be sure the TAD is set to answer before the fax does. The fax will pass the phone call through to the TAD, and if it hears the beeping of another fax sending, it will cut off the TAD and take the call.
See the manual for more info and other options.

You do not give enough information. What happens when you try to receive? Does it ring? Is there any message displayed?

You will have to look through the options in the unit to find the receive settings in the menu. Make sure it's actually set up to receive. Usually there are receive (RX) options such as: manual, fax/tel, fax only, number of rings, distinctive ring and others.

In most cases if the machine is set to manual, you will have to press a button to receive a fax. It may be just the "hook" button, or a start button. Check your owners manual to see which button. In Fax/Tel mode the machine will assume you are using a telephone on the same line. You will have to set the unit to answer after the phone rings a specific number of times(four, for example). After four rings, if you have not picked up the receiver the machine will take the like and receive a fax. If you set it to Fax Only you can set it to answer on any number of rings, but it's best to just set it to one. In this mode the machine assumes it has a dedicated line.

If you have distinctive rings for various people in your home or business then you will have to consult your manual to see how to deal with the different rings.

One last note. Make sure your phone line is plugged into the correct port on the machine. I get a ton of calls at work from people who have the phone line plugged into the extension port, and the phone plugged into the line port.

If none of this helps, you will need someone to look at your fax machine. If you call HP, have your credit card ready.....

There are two ways to use a fax machine in your home or office. You can either have a standalone fax machine, or you can use your computer for this purpose. Either way, setup is very simple. You don't even have to be a tech guru to do it. First, decide if you'd like to have a separate phone line for your faxes so they don't interrupt communications at the office. If so, have the phone company install the line before you get started with fax setup.
Setting Up a Traditional Machine

Step 1.Set your fax machine on a flat and even surface. Plug the power cord into the wall. Fill the paper tray and slide it into the front of the machine.

Step 2.Plug one end of a standard phone cable into the phone jack and the opposite end into the port on the fax machine. It's usually on the back or the side.

Step 3.Turn on the machine and pick up its telephone. If you don't hear a dial tone, check your phone cable to make sure it's secure. Then turn to the LCD screen and start programming your options. Since all machines are different, see the instructions in the owner's manual.

plug your single line phone into the phone outlet on your fax the plug line from your wall inot line spot on the back of the fax. set your fax to manual answrer. you will then need to push start when a fax comes in to receive it.

get a separate telephone cable and attach it to your fax, switch line over from phone to fax manually at the phone line input on the wall, it's the ONLY way I can manage that same problem. If you forget to "switch" your lines over, unplug the fax from the wall & answer your other house phone that's plugged into the wall. Works every time. It takes a little effort, but why pay for more phone lines when all you have to do is plug/unplug an extra phone line?

Check the phone line with a regular phone.

Do you have digital phone service?

Plug the fax phone cord into the LINE port of the machine. The rest is automatic.

you can get the manual here: - LINK

Basically you plug your phone line into the fax machine line in and set the ring pick up to the desired length.

When someone calls you the fax should pick up and take the data.

On the back of your printer you have 2 two jacks:
One says PHONE LINE and the other PHONE

On the jack "phone line" connect the cable that it is coming from the jack of your house
On jack "Phone" connect your regular Phone

hi-
chances are you need to change the setting on you hp printer, i mean the fax settings for it and by the way have you tried reseating or unplugging the wire that connects from the wall to your hp office jet? try to unplug and replug it then try sending another fax, update me for any unusualities, thanks!!