A fax that won’t send or receive is usually caused by missing drivers, disabled services, wrong line type (VoIP), firewall blocks, or misconfigured Windows Fax and Scan. If Fax doesn’t work in Windows 10, this article shows the seven most common causes and gives clear, step-by-step fixes so you can get faxing again.
You’ll learn how to verify hardware, enable services, configure ports, adjust firewall rules, update drivers and Windows, and confirm you’re using a compatible phone line.
Key Takeaway
The most common single fix is to ensure the Windows Fax service is running and the correct analog modem driver is installed and assigned to the right COM port; if you’re on VoIP, use an online fax service or an ATA/analog gateway instead.
Quick Fix Guide
| Reason for the Problem | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| Fax service not running or not installed | Start and set the Fax service to Automatic (Delayed Start) in services.msc. |
| Modem or device driver problems | Reinstall or update the fax modem driver in Device Manager from the manufacturer. |
| Wrong COM port or modem not assigned | Assign the modem to the correct COM port in Device Manager > Port Settings > Advanced. |
| Phone line issues or VoIP incompatibility | Test with an analog landline; avoid direct VoIP or configure an ATA device. |
| Windows Fax and Scan misconfiguration | Reconfigure account settings and set correct dialing rules in Windows Fax and Scan. |
| Firewall or antivirus blocking fax | Allow Windows Fax and Scan through Windows Defender Firewall or temporarily disable AV. |
| Corrupted system files or outdated Windows | Run sfc /scannow and DISM, then install Windows updates. |
Detailed Fixes for “tu mets ici le problème du 7 reasons why Fax doesn’t work in Windows 10 (and how to fix it)”
1) Fax service not running or not installed
Why it causes the problem
- Windows Fax and Scan relies on the Fax service (Windows fax service) to communicate with modem hardware and handle queued jobs. If the service is stopped or disabled, faxes won’t send or receive.
Step-by-step solution
- Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Find Fax in the list (sorted alphabetically).
- Right-click Fax and choose Properties.
- Set Startup type to Automatic (Delayed Start).
- Click Start (if status is Stopped), then OK.
- Open Windows Fax and Scan and retry sending or receiving.
Notes/tips
- If the service is missing, ensure you have the Windows features installed (see section below on installing features).
- You may need administrator privileges to change service settings.
2) Modem or device driver problems
Why it causes the problem
- The fax modem is the hardware interface between Windows and the phone line. A missing, corrupt, or generic driver can prevent the modem from initializing or responding.
Step-by-step solution
- Press Windows key + X and choose Device Manager.
- Expand Modems or Ports (COM & LPT) and look for your fax modem. It may be labeled with the manufacturer name (e.g., Conexant, Intel, Rockwell).
- Right-click the modem and choose Properties to check device status.
- If there’s a warning icon, choose Uninstall device, then check Delete the driver software for this device, and click Uninstall.
- Reboot the PC.
- Download the latest modem driver from the manufacturer’s website (search model + “driver Windows 10”).
- Install the driver manually and reboot again.
Alternative: If Windows does not detect the device after reboot:
- Use Action > Add legacy hardware in Device Manager and follow the wizard to install the modem driver.
Notes/tips
- USB modems may need their own drivers; built-in laptop modems are rarer now.
- If your fax device is an external multifunction printer, ensure the printer supports fax via a direct analog phone line (check manual).
3) Wrong COM port or modem not assigned correctly
Why it causes the problem
- The modem must be assigned to a COM port that Windows Fax and Scan can access; wrong port numbers or conflicts prevent communication.
Step-by-step solution
- Open Device Manager and expand Ports (COM & LPT).
- Right-click the modem’s COMx entry and choose Properties.
- Go to the Port Settings tab, click Advanced.
- In COM Port Number, select a COM port not already in use (e.g., change from COM3 to COM5).
- Click OK and reboot if prompted.
- In Windows Fax and Scan, choose Tools > Fax Accounts, select your modem account and check the modem settings; ensure the COM number matches.
Notes/tips
- Avoid using COM1/COM2 if they’re reserved for legacy hardware.
- Some applications lock a COM port; close other serial apps while testing.
4) Phone line issues or VoIP incompatibility
Why it causes the problem
- Fax protocols (G3) expect an analog PSTN signal. Pure digital VoIP lines or cellular lines often compress or filter tones, causing detection and fax handshake failures.
Step-by-step solution
- Disconnect the modem from the line and plug a regular analog phone handset into that jack. Listen for a dial tone and dial a number to test audio quality.
- If you have VoIP service:
- Use an Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) provided by some VoIP providers; plug the modem into the ATA device’s analog port instead of the router.
- Alternatively, use an online cloud fax service (send/receive via email or web) if ATA isn’t an option.
- If using a landline and tone is weak or has noise, contact your telco to test the line and check for filters or splitters in the wiring.
Notes/tips
- Many modern ISPs and VoIP providers provide fax passthrough only with special settings — ask their support if they support G3 fax.
- If you need reliable fax over IP, consider a fax-to-email service.
5) Windows Fax and Scan misconfiguration
Why it causes the problem
- Incorrect dialing rules, country/region settings, or wrong account configuration prevents proper dialing and routing of faxes.
Step-by-step solution
- Open Windows Fax and Scan (type “Fax” in Start).
- Choose Tools > Fax Settings or Tools > Fax Accounts.
- For Fax Accounts, select your fax modem account and click Configure; verify Dialing rules, Country/region, and Area code are correct.
- Under Tools > Options, check Outbound and Inbound settings: Caller ID handling, retries, cover page options.
- Create or edit Dialing Rules: Tools > Dialing Rules and ensure the number formats match what you need to dial (local vs long distance).
- Test by sending a short text-only fax to a known-working fax number.
Notes/tips
- If sending internationally, ensure the correct international prefix and country code are included.
- If the machine expects dialing prefixes (like 9 for outside line), add that to dialing rules.
6) Firewall or antivirus blocking fax
Why it causes the problem
- Security software may block communication between the Fax application and modem or block the Fax service from accessing system resources.
Step-by-step solution
- Open Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
- Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
- Look for Windows Fax and Scan and ensure both Private and Public are checked; if not present, click Allow another app and add it.
- If using third-party antivirus/ firewall, open its interface and create an exception for Windows Fax and Scan (or temporarily disable the firewall to test).
- In an elevated Command Prompt, to ensure Fax has allowed firewall rules you can list rules: type netsh advfirewall firewall show rule name=all (this is for inspection; avoid modifying unless you know the exact path).
Notes/tips
- Do not leave firewall disabled; only disable temporarily for testing.
- Corporate environments may have group policies that prevent changing firewall rules—contact IT.
7) Corrupted system files or outdated Windows
Why it causes the problem
- Corrupt system files, bugs, or missing Windows updates can break Fax components or device drivers.
Step-by-step solution
- Open Command Prompt as administrator (type cmd, right-click, Run as administrator).
- Run the System File Checker: sfc /scannow and wait for completion.
- If issues persist, run DISM to repair the image: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
- Reboot the PC.
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates; install all important updates and reboot.
- After updates, retest the fax workflow.
Notes/tips
- Keep drivers and Windows up to date to minimize compatibility issues.
- If SFC/DISM reports issues it cannot fix, consider performing an in-place repair upgrade (Windows 10 installation media).
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Additional diagnostic steps and when to call support
- Check logs: Open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) and look under Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > Fax (if present) or Windows Logs > Application/System for errors tied to fax or modem drivers.
- Test on another machine: If possible, connect the modem to another Windows 10 PC to determine if the issue is PC-specific.
- Manufacturer support: If using a multifunction printer, check the vendor’s support site for firmware updates or known fax compatibility notes.
- When to call your telco: If you hear noise on the line, no dial tone, or poor connection quality, contact your phone provider to run line tests.
- When to call IT or a technician: If group policy or corporate security blocks necessary changes, or if changes require admin rights you don’t have.
FAQ
What if I don’t have a physical fax modem — can I still fax from Windows 10?
Yes. Use an online fax service (fax-to-email) or subscribe to a cloud fax provider. These services send/receive faxes via email or a web portal and eliminate the need for a physical modem.
Can I use a multifunction printer’s fax with Windows Fax and Scan?
Some multifunction printers provide their own fax utilities; Windows Fax and Scan may not control the printer’s built-in fax hardware. Use the printer’s fax software or web interface, or check the printer manual for Windows integration steps.
How do I prevent future fax problems?
Keep Windows and drivers updated, test your phone line periodically, and maintain a backup of modem drivers. Use a UPS for devices to prevent interruptions during power issues.
Are there advanced logs or tools for diagnosing fax issues?
Yes—Event Viewer logs, modem diagnostics from the manufacturer, and serial port monitoring tools can help. For driver-level issues, Windows Driver Kit (WDK) and modem manufacturer diagnostic tools provide deeper insights.
Is fax over VoIP ever reliable?
Sometimes with specialized settings or using an ATA device configured by the VoIP provider; however, many VoIP setups are unreliable for G3 fax. For mission-critical faxing, prefer PSTN or cloud fax services.
Conclusion
Most fax failures in Windows 10 boil down to the Fax service, modem drivers, phone line type, or firewall/configuration issues; addressing those areas usually restores functionality. If Fax doesn’t work in Windows 10, follow the steps above—start with the service and modem driver checks, then move through ports, line type, configuration, firewall, and system repairs.
