How to Fax from a Computer

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This wikiHow teaches you how to send a fax from your computer. Both Windows and Mac computers have built-in fax programs which will allow you to send a fax if you have a fax modem or printer attached to your computer. If you don't have the hardware to send a fax, you can use an online service called FaxZero to send up to 15 free fax pages per day.

Using a Fax Modem on Windows

• USB fax modem — You can buy a fax modem that plugs into one of your computer's USB ports online (e.g., Amazon or eBay) or in some tech stores.
• Active phone line — You'll need a phone line that you can connect to your fax modem. If you don't have a landline phone, you won't be able to send a fax using your computer.

• You will have to ban others in your household from using the landline until your fax has been sent and received.

Open Windows Fax and Scan. Type in fax and scan , then click Windows Fax and Scan at the top of the Start menu.

• You may have to confirm this decision or click OK before proceeding.

Enter your recipient's fax number. Type the number for the fax machine to which you're sending your fax into the "To" text box near the top of the window.

You can add an existing file (e.g., a photo or a document) to the fax by clicking the paperclip

Click Send . It's in the upper-left corner of the "New Fax" window. Doing so will prompt your fax to send to the fax machine listed in the "To" section.

Using a Fax Modem on Mac

• A multifunction printer which supports faxing — Unfortunately, MacOS Sierra (and up) computers don't support printing from fax modems. You'll need to use a printer which supports faxing.
• An active phone line — You'll need a phone line that you can connect to your fax modem. If you don't have a landline phone, you won't be able to send a fax using your computer.

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You can send a fax from your computer without a traditional fax machine. There are several services available that allow you to send faxes online. It can be a convenient option if you don't have access to a fax machine or if you prefer to handle your faxing needs electronically.

• Your printer will also need to be connected to your phone line, which means that you'll need to avoid using the landline until your fax has been sent and received.
• This method will work whether you're printing wirelessly or via a USB cable.

• If you haven't yet created the document, open a program (e.g., TextEdit or Word) and create your fax in it before proceeding.

Click the "PDF" drop-down box. It's in the lower-left side of the window. A drop-down menu will appear.

• If you don't see this option, you can't fax using your current printer. Try sending an online fax instead.

Add a cover page if needed. If you want to add a cover page to your fax, check the "Use cover page" box, then enter a subject in the "Subject" text field and type in the cover page's contents in the main text field.

Click Fax . It's near the bottom of the window. Doing so will send your fax to the machine listed in the "To" text box.