How to Use a Fax Machine – Set up, Sending, Receiving, Features, and Common Problems
Although today’s version of fax technology was invented at about the same time as email, the fax machine is a piece of technology that has moved towards being obsolete much quicker. In many cases, people have forgotten or no longer use a fax machine regularly, and therefore need a reminder.
Please note that a fax machine (or a printer / multi-function unit with fax) will need an operational land-line phone line for it to work.
Users who are trying to use a fax machine without a phone line (and only, for example, an internet connection) should see our page on how to fax from a computer.
Users who are trying to use their fax machine with an internet based phone line (such as a VoIP phone line) and not a regular phone line should see our pages on how to fax from a computer and why does my fax machine not work on my VoIP phone line?
The best source of information on how to set up your fax machine is found in the user’s manual for the specific model you own – each model can be different in how it is set up. This page is only a guide or a set up of a “generic” fax machine.
If you find your fax machine inoperable or unable to set up, alternatives to sending a fax can be found on our pages on faxing from a computer or an online fax service.