The short answer
Pending means we have not yet got through to the recipient's machine, or we are waiting for it to be free. This is common: the line may be busy, or the machine off or out of paper.
Give it time, and keep the tracking page open. If nothing moves, re-check the number and the recipient's office hours; how sending works and fax over IP describe what happens behind the scenes.
What pending means
Your fax has been accepted and is waiting to be delivered. The system dials the recipient and, if the call does not go through, it tries again later. During that time the tracking page shows that the send is not finished.
It is neither lost nor failed: it is still in progress. Fax over IP explains what happens in the background.
Common reasons
The recipient's line is engaged with another call, or the machine is switched off, in a closed office or out of paper. A fax machine that shares its line with a phone may be picked up by a human, who hangs up when they hear the tone.
Differences in time zones play their part too: a Canadian office may still be closed.
What to do
Wait a while and leave the tracking page open. If you can, call the recipient and ask them to check that the machine is on and has paper. Verify the number with the process page in mind: a wrong digit usually ends in a failure, not a pending state.
If the status does not change for a long time, or you are unsure, write to us through the contact page with the link to your tracking page.
Worth remembering
- Pending means in progress, not lost.
- Busy lines, machines that are off and closed offices are the usual causes.
- Contact the recipient, then us, if nothing moves.