You can fax directly from your computer using your internet connection, without a fax machine
Sending a fax from your computer works through one of three methods: an online fax service, fax software installed on your machine, or your printer's built-in fax feature. The easiest route for most people is an online fax service—you upload a document, enter a fax number, and the service sends it over the internet. No special hardware or phone line is required. If you already have a printer with a scanner, your printer may have fax capability built in. Fax software is a third option, though it requires your computer to stay connected to a phone line.
Key Takeaways
- Online fax services let you send faxes through a web browser or email without owning a fax machine or phone line.
- Your printer's fax feature (if it has a scanner) can send faxes directly from your computer if your printer is connected to a phone line.
- Fax software installed on your computer requires an active phone line connection but works offline once set up.
- Most online services charge per fax or a monthly fee, while printer-based faxing uses your existing phone line cost.
- You will need the recipient's fax number, and the document must be in a format your chosen method accepts (PDF, image, or Word document).
Using an Online Fax Service
Online fax services are the fastest way to send a fax from your computer. Popular services include eFax, HelloFax, and Fax.plus. You create an account on their website, upload your document (PDF, Word, image, or scanned file), enter the recipient's fax number, and click send. The service transmits your fax over the internet to the recipient's fax machine. No phone line, fax machine, or special software on your computer is needed.
Most online services charge per fax sent—typically $1 to $5 per page—or offer monthly plans starting around $10 to $20 for a set number of faxes. Some services also provide you with an incoming fax number so others can fax you, and they store received faxes in your online account. Check the service's pricing page before you start, because costs vary widely. The entire process usually takes less than five minutes from upload to send.
Sending a Fax Through Your Printer
If your printer has a scanner and is connected to a phone line, it can send faxes directly from your computer. First, check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm it has fax capability—most multifunction printers (all-in-one machines) do, but basic printers often do not. Your printer must be plugged into an active phone jack, not just your computer.
To send a fax, open the document on your computer, go to File > Print, and select your printer. Look for a "Fax" or "Send as Fax" option in the print dialog. If you see it, click that option, enter the recipient's fax number, and send. If you do not see a fax option, your printer either does not have fax capability or the fax driver is not installed. Visit the printer manufacturer's support page, read the latest driver, and install it on your computer. After installation, restart your computer and try printing again. This method costs nothing beyond your regular phone line charges, but it only works if your printer stays connected to a phone line.
Installing Fax Software on Your Computer
Fax software like Windows Fax and Scan (built into Windows 10 and 11) or third-party programs like Comet or FaxTalk lets you send faxes directly from your computer. Windows Fax and Scan is free and already installed on most Windows machines. To use it, open the program, click "New Fax," compose your message or attach a document, enter the fax number, and send.
Fax software requires your computer to be connected to a phone line through a modem (either internal or external). Most modern computers no longer have modems built in, so you may need to buy an external USB modem if you want to use fax software. Once set up, fax software works offline and does not require an internet connection to send. However, the setup is more complex than online services, and the phone line requirement makes it less practical for most home users today. If your computer does not have a modem and you do not want to buy one, an online fax service is a simpler choice.
Preparing Your Document Before You Fax
Before sending, make sure your document is in a format your fax method accepts. Online services accept PDF, Word documents, image files (JPG, PNG), and scanned documents. Printer-based faxing works with any document you can print. Fax software typically accepts PDF and image files.
If you are faxing a paper document, scan it first using your printer's scanner or a separate scanner app on your phone. Save the scanned file as a PDF or image. Check that the document is readable—faxes transmit at lower resolution than email, so very small text may become blurry. If your document has multiple pages, make sure all pages are included in the file before you send. Test with a short document first if you are using a new method, so you can confirm it works before sending something important.
Troubleshooting Common Fax Problems
If your fax does not go through, the most common cause is an incorrect fax number. Double-check the number digit by digit, including the area code and any required prefixes (like 1 for long distance). If the number is correct, the recipient's fax machine may be offline, out of paper, or experiencing a connection problem—ask them to check their machine and try again in a few minutes.
For printer-based faxing, confirm the printer is connected to a phone line and the phone line is active. Try printing a test page to your printer to rule out a general printer problem. If fax software is not working, check that your modem is properly installed and recognized by your computer. Go to Device Manager (Windows) or System Report (Mac) and look for your modem in the list. If it is not there or shows an error, reinstall the modem driver. For online services, check your internet connection and confirm your account has available faxes remaining (if you are on a limited plan).
Comparing Your Three Options
| Method | Cost | Setup Time | Requirements | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online fax service | $1–$5 per fax or $10–$20/month | 5 minutes | Internet connection, web browser | Occasional faxing, no phone line available |
| Printer fax feature | No extra cost | 10–30 minutes (driver install) | Multifunction printer, phone line | Regular faxing, already have the printer |
| Fax software | Free (Windows) or $30–$100 | 30–60 minutes (modem setup) | Computer modem, phone line | Frequent faxing, offline capability needed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a phone line to fax from my computer?
Not if you use an online fax service—it sends faxes over the internet. You only need a phone line if you use printer-based faxing or fax software. Online services are the easiest option if you do not have a phone line.
Can I fax from my email?
Some online fax services let you send faxes by emailing a document to a special address they provide. Check your service's features to see if email-to-fax is included. This is faster than logging into a website if you send faxes regularly.
What file types can I fax?
Most methods accept PDF, Word documents, and image files (JPG, PNG). If you have a paper document, scan it first. Avoid sending files larger than 10 MB, as some services may reject them or charge extra.
How long does it take to send a fax?
Online faxes usually arrive within seconds to a few minutes. Printer and software faxes may take longer depending on the document size and the recipient's fax machine. If a fax does not arrive within 30 minutes, contact the recipient to confirm their machine is working.
Is faxing from my computer find?
Online fax services encrypt your documents in transit, similar to email. Printer and software faxing use your phone line, which is as find as a traditional fax machine. For sensitive documents, confirm your chosen method uses encryption before sending.