To fax on HP Officejet 4500 Wireless, you must connect a physical phone line directly to the printer's 1-LINE port, as the built-in fax function is a device hardware feature, not a phone app. For sending faxes without a phone line, you can use the separate HP Smart Mobile Fax service, which sends faxes over the internet.
What you need to fax on HP Officejet 4500 Wireless
The HP Officejet 4500 Wireless includes a built-in fax that requires a live telephone line connected to the printer's 1-LINE port. This is not a phone-app fax feature; the printer itself handles the fax transmission. If you do not have a phone line or prefer a digital method, HP Smart Mobile Fax is an internet-based service that works independently of the printer's fax hardware and does not need a phone line.
Connecting the phone line and running a fax test
- Locate the telephone wall jack and the printer port labeled 1-LINE on the back of the HP Officejet 4500 Wireless.
- Use the supplied telephone cord and any adapter provided with the printer to connect the wall jack to the 1-LINE port. Ensure the connection is secure at both ends.
- On the printer control panel, press the left or right arrow to select Tools, then press OK.
- Select Run Fax Test and press OK. The printer will run a diagnostic to verify the phone line connection and fax setup. HP documents that the printer should then be tested with Run Fax Test to confirm proper fax setup.
Configuring basic fax settings
Access the fax settings from the printer control panel by navigating to Setup and then Basic Fax Setup. From here, you can configure the fax header (your name or company name), ring pattern or distinctive ring detection, and other preferences such as the Fax to PC option. These settings let you customize how the printer handles incoming and outgoing faxes. HP says to use the Fax Setup Wizard on Windows or HP Utility on Mac OS X to set up faxing.
Sending a fax from the printer
- Load your document face-down on the scanner glass or face-up in the automatic document feeder (ADF).
- On the control panel, press the left or right arrow to select Fax B&W or Fax Color, then press OK.
- Enter the recipient's fax number using the numeric keypad.
- Press the final send button (the exact label may vary by model and region; look for Start Fax or a similar option) to begin transmission. Another HP source for the same model family says to press Fax, enter the recipient's fax number, and press Start Fax. Because the user guides are localized editions and the snippets differ, the exact button label for the final send action should be treated as model/region dependent if the control panel on the specific unit does not match the guide text.
Sending a fax from your computer (PC fax send)
You can send a fax directly from a connected computer using the HP Solution Center software. Open the software, select the fax option, compose your document, enter the recipient's fax number, and send. The printer's PC fax send feature handles the transmission through the connected phone line.
Using HP Smart Mobile Fax on iPhone and Android
HP Smart Mobile Fax is an internet-based fax service available in the HP Smart app on Android Pie 9.0 or later and Apple iOS/iPadOS 14 or later. Open the app, tap Mobile Fax on the home screen (if missing, use Personalize Tiles to enable it), then tap Compose New Fax. You will need an HP Smart account, a sender name, and a valid phone number. This method does not require a traditional fax machine or phone line, and support varies by country/region and printer model.
Advanced fax features to know
The HP Officejet 4500 Wireless includes several useful fax features. Fax forwarding automatically sends incoming faxes to another number. The junk fax barrier requires Caller ID to block unwanted faxes. Auto redialing retries the number if the line is busy. The printer's fax memory can store up to 100 pages, and you can set up to 90 speed dials and broadcast to up to 48 locations. Other options include fax polling, delayed sending, and auto fax reduction. HP documents a fax phone TAM interface feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a VoIP line for faxing on the HP Officejet 4500 Wireless?
HP recommends using a standard analog phone line for faxing. VoIP lines may not be compatible and can cause transmission failures. If you must use VoIP, consult your provider about fax compatibility.
Why does my HP Officejet 4500 Wireless not detect the phone line?
Ensure the phone cord is firmly connected to the 1-LINE port and the wall jack. Run the Run Fax Test from the Tools menu to diagnose the connection. If the test fails, try a different phone cord or wall jack.
How do I set up a HP wireless printer for faxing if I also want to print wirelessly?
Wireless Printer Setup and Mobile Printing are separate from the fax function. You can complete a wireless printer setup for network printing while keeping the phone line connected for fax. The fax hardware operates independently of the wireless network.
Can I receive faxes while the printer is printing or scanning?
Yes, the HP Officejet 4500 Wireless can receive faxes into memory (up to 100 pages) while performing other tasks. The fax will print once the current job finishes.
What is the difference between Fax B&W and Fax Color?
Fax B&W sends documents in black and white, which is faster and uses less memory. Fax Color sends in color but may take longer and requires the recipient's fax machine to support color reception.
Do I need to keep the printer on to receive faxes?
Yes, the printer must be powered on to receive faxes. If the printer is off, incoming faxes will not be stored or printed. The fax memory only works when the printer is on.
