Epson Job Code 206: Fax: phone cable in wrong port
Job log code 206 means the phone cable is connected incorrectly to the printer's LINE and EXT ports.
What to try
- Check which cable is in the LINE port and which is in the EXT port.
- Connect the phone cable correctly.
- Send the fax again.
When it needs a technician
This is a job log code, not a hardware fault. If the job keeps failing after you fix the cause, contact Epson support.
Which models show Job Code 206
Epson documents this code for models including WorkForce Pro WF-M5899, WorkForce Pro WF-M5799, WorkForce Pro WF-C5890, WorkForce Pro WF-C879R, WorkForce Pro WF-C878R, WorkForce Pro WF-C8690, WorkForce Pro WF-C579R, WorkForce Pro EM-C7100.
Varies by model: Shown in the Job/Status > Log screen of WorkForce Pro business models when a job does not finish. The same table appears in the FAQs for several WorkForce Pro models; other Epson lines use different codes.
First steps for any printer error
- Write down the exact code before you do anything else — similar-looking codes often mean completely different things.
- Power the printer off, unplug it for a couple of minutes, then power it back on. A surprising number of transient errors clear here.
- Open the covers and check for paper scraps, packaging material, or anything blocking the carriage.
- Check the cartridges or tanks are genuine, correctly seated, and not empty.
- Confirm the printer is plugged directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip or extension lead.
- Check your model’s own manual — codes are model-specific, and the manual is the authority for your machine.
Source: Epson Support FAQ - WorkForce Pro WF-M5899, Job Status error codes. Codes are model-specific, so your own model's manual is the final word. Reviewed October 2026.
Still showing Job Code 206?
Tell our printer technician your model and what you've tried. You'll find out whether it's fixable at home or worth repairing at all.
Ask about my printer — $1Eric Paul Amora · Printer & Hardware Repair Technician