By David Thompson · Published October 16, 2024 · Updated June 8, 2026 · 11 min read
Quick Answer: The fastest way to find the fax number on a printer is to navigate to Settings → Fax Setup → Station ID (or Fax Header on HP). The stored number is displayed in that field. If the field is blank or the settings menu shows nothing useful, use the Caller ID method below — it reveals the actual line number regardless of what is stored.
You need your printer's fax number to share it with colleagues, publish it on your website, troubleshoot failed transmissions, or port it to an online fax service. The problem is that printers don't display the fax number prominently — it is buried in a setup menu, often skipped during initial installation.
This guide covers five reliable methods to find the fax number on any multifunction printer, with brand-specific steps for HP, Brother, Canon, Epson, Ricoh, Xerox, Kyocera, and Lexmark.
Why Printers Don't Show the Fax Number Automatically
Your printer does not detect its fax number automatically. The number it "knows" is whatever was manually typed into the Station ID or Fax Header field during setup. That stored number appears in the header strip at the top of every outgoing fax page.
If setup was rushed or skipped, the field may be blank — even though the printer sends and receives faxes fine. The actual telephone number belongs to the phone line plugged into the printer's LINE port, not to the printer itself.
This distinction matters: if you want to confirm the real number (not just what was entered), use the Caller ID method in Method 4 below.
Method 1: Check the Printer's LCD Display or Touchscreen
LCD / Settings Menu
Most multifunction printers show the configured fax number in their settings menu within two or three taps. Navigate to the fax settings section and look for a field labeled Station ID, Fax Header, Own Fax Number, or TX Terminal ID — these all refer to the same thing.
General path (works on most brands):
- Press the Home or Menu button on the printer's control panel
- Select Fax or Fax Setup
- Navigate to Initial Setup, Basic Fax Setup, or User Settings
- Look for Station ID, Fax Header, or Own Number
- The stored fax number is displayed in the entry field
If the field is blank, the number was never entered — skip to Method 4.
Brand-Specific Menu Paths
HP OfficeJet / OfficeJet Pro (touchscreen models):
Tap the Setup gear icon → Fax Setup → Basic Fax Setup → Fax Header. The fax number and name you entered during setup are shown here.
HP OfficeJet (button-based older models):
Press the right-arrow button → Setup → Basic Fax Setup → Fax Header.
Brother MFC (physical keypad):
Press Menu → scroll to Initial Setup → press OK → scroll to Station ID → press OK → select Fax. The stored number is shown on the LCD.
Brother MFC (touchscreen models):
Tap Settings (gear icon) → All Settings → Initial Setup → Station ID → Fax.
Canon imageCLASS / PIXMA MX:
Press Menu → Fax Settings → TX Function Settings → TX Terminal ID. The registered number is displayed in the entry field.
Epson WorkForce:
Press Home → Settings → General Settings → Fax Settings → Basic Settings → Header. The stored phone number and name are shown here.
Ricoh IM / MP series:
Press Home → User Tools/Counter (wrench icon) → System Settings → Fax Settings → Initial Settings → Program Fax Information. The Own Fax Number field is displayed.
Xerox WorkCentre / VersaLink / AltaLink:
Press Home → Device (or Machine Status) → Tools → Service Settings → Fax Service → Line 1 Setup. Requires system administrator login (default: admin / 1111).
Kyocera ECOSYS / TASKalfa:
Press System Menu/Counter → FAX → navigate to Local FAX Number → press OK. The stored number is displayed.
Lexmark MX / CX series:
Press Menu → Settings → Fax → Fax Setup → General Fax Settings → Station Number.
Quick Reference: Field Names by Brand
The fax number is stored under different names depending on the manufacturer. If you can't find it, search for one of these:
- Station ID — Brother, Kyocera, Lexmark, some Canon models
- Fax Header — HP, older Epson
- TX Terminal ID — Canon imageCLASS, imageRUNNER
- Own Fax Number — Ricoh, Konica Minolta
- Line 1 Number — Xerox
- Header (under Basic Settings) — Epson WorkForce
Method 2: Print a Fax Activity Report
Fax Activity Report
Every major printer brand can print a Fax Activity Report (also called a Transmission Report, Fax Log, or Activity List). The configured fax number always appears in the header of the printed report — even on older printers without touchscreens.
This is the most reliable method because it gives you a physical record you can file away.
How to print the fax activity report:
| Brand | Menu Path |
|---|---|
| HP | Setup (gear icon) → Reports → Print Fax Reports → Fax Log |
| Brother | Press Menu → Print Reports (or press Menu, 5, 1 on older models) → Activity Report |
| Canon | Menu → Fax Settings → Reports & Lists → Fax Activity Report |
| Epson | Home → Settings → General Settings → Fax Settings → Fax Report → Last Transmission |
| Ricoh | User Tools → Print List/Report → Fax Journal |
| Xerox | Home → Device → Information Pages → Fax Activity Report |
| Kyocera | System Menu → Reports → FAX Report → FAX Outgoing/Incoming Activity |
| Lexmark | Menu → Settings → Reports → Fax → Fax Job Log |
The fax number appears in the TTI header (Transmitting Terminal Identifier) at the very top of the first page of the printed report.
Pro Tip: HP Free Fax Test Number
HP offers a free fax test service at 1-888-473-2963 (1-888-HPFaxme). Send a fax to this number from your printer. It returns a confirmation fax within minutes that shows your printer's configured fax number clearly in the header — a great way to confirm everything is working and find your number at the same time.
Method 3: Access the Printer's Embedded Web Server
Embedded Web Server (EWS)
Every networked multifunction printer has a built-in web interface you can access from any browser on the same network. This is the easiest method when the printer's LCD screen is small or difficult to navigate.
Find the Printer's IP Address
On the printer's control panel, navigate to Network Settings or print a Network Configuration Page. The IP address is shown there (e.g., 192.168.1.105). Alternatively, check your router's connected devices list.
Open the Web Interface in a Browser
On any computer connected to the same network, open a browser and type the printer's IP address in the address bar. Press Enter. The printer's embedded web server loads.
Log In with Admin Credentials
Most printers require login. Common defaults:
- HP: admin / (blank password) or admin / admin
- Brother: admin / access
- Xerox: admin / 1111
- Ricoh: admin / (blank)
- Kyocera: Admin / Admin00 (capital A)
Check the printer's label or manual if these defaults don't work.
Navigate to Fax Settings
Each brand labels it differently — look for one of these paths:
- HP EWS: Fax → Fax Send Setup → Internal Modem → Phone Number
- Xerox CentreWare: Properties → Services → Fax → Setup → Line 1 Number
- Ricoh Web Image Monitor: Device Management → Configuration → Fax → Own Fax Number
- Kyocera Command Center: Fax → Common Settings → Local FAX Number
- Lexmark EWS: Settings → Fax Settings → Analog Fax Setup → Fax Number
Method 4: Call Another Phone (Caller ID Method)
Caller ID Method
This is the most reliable method to confirm the actual phone line number — it works even if the Station ID field was never filled in or was entered incorrectly. The phone company assigned the number to the line itself; this method reads that directly.
Put the Printer in Manual Dial or On Hook Mode
On the printer's control panel, navigate to Fax → Send Fax (or press the fax button and choose Manual Fax or On Hook Dial). You need the printer to be ready to dial.
Dial Your Mobile Phone Number
Enter your mobile phone number (with area code) using the keypad. Do not press Send yet — just have the number ready.
Initiate the Call and Watch Your Phone
Press the Start or Mono Start button. Your mobile phone will ring within a few seconds. Check the Caller ID display — the number shown is the actual phone line number assigned to your printer's fax port.
Cancel Before the Call Connects
Press Cancel or Stop on the printer before the fax tone connects. You just needed the Caller ID reading, not an actual call.
VoIP and Cloud Fax Lines
If your fax machine is connected via a VoIP adapter (ATA) or uses a cloud fax service (HP Digital Fax, eFax, RingCentral), the Caller ID method may not work correctly — the number is assigned by the service provider, not the phone company. In that case, log into the online account portal for your fax service to find the assigned number.
Method 5: Check a Previously Sent or Received Fax
If you have a physical copy of a fax that was sent or received through this printer, your answer is already on paper. Every fax — by FCC regulation — must include a header strip printed at the top of each page. That strip contains the sender's name, date, time, and fax number.
- Sent fax copy — Look at the header printed at the very top of the page. Your printer's configured fax number is there.
- Confirmation page — When a fax sends successfully, the printer prints a confirmation report. The header of that report shows the configured number.
- Received fax — If you know your printer's fax number and just need a reminder, send a test fax to the printer from your email using mFax.to and check the header on the received page.
What to Do If the Fax Number Field Is Blank
A blank Station ID is common — many printers are set up without entering this information. Here is what to do:
- Use the Caller ID method (Method 4) to discover the actual line number
- Enter the number into the Station ID / Fax Header field to comply with FCC requirements (the Telephone Consumer Protection Act requires fax headers to include the sender's number on every page)
- Save the setting — the number will now appear on all future outgoing faxes
FCC Compliance Note
Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, every commercial fax must display the sender's phone number in the header. Blank Station IDs on business fax machines may create compliance exposure. Take 2 minutes to enter the number now.
Printer Fax Number vs. Phone Number: What's the Difference?
Many offices have a single phone line shared between voice and fax using distinctive ring — one number, two ring patterns. Here is how to tell which is which:
| Scenario | How to Tell |
|---|---|
| Dedicated fax line | The LINE port cable goes to a wall jack used only for the printer; no phone handset shares it |
| Shared line with distinctive ring | Voice and fax share one number; the printer is configured to answer only on the double-ring or triple-ring pattern |
| Two-line setup | The printer has two cables — one labeled TEL (voice phone) and one labeled LINE (fax) |
| VoIP / cloud fax | No physical line; number is assigned by a cloud service and shown in the account portal |
Quick test: Dial the suspected fax number from a cell phone. A fax line answers with a high-pitched CNG tone (repeating beep), not a human voice.
Don't Have a Printer? Skip the Hardware Entirely
If you are looking up your printer's fax number to decide whether to keep that phone line, or if you just need to send a fax occasionally, consider switching to an online fax service. mFax.to lets you send and receive faxes from any phone or computer — no printer, no phone line, no fax machine required.
- Send faxes from your browser or phone in under 2 minutes
- Receive faxes at a dedicated fax number delivered to your email as PDFs
- Over 5 million users, 4.8-star App Store rating
- Plans start pay-as-you-go — no monthly commitment needed
You can even port your existing fax number to mFax.to and retire the physical fax machine entirely. See our guide to fax number porting for the step-by-step process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out what my fax number is on my printer?
Navigate to the fax settings menu and look for the Station ID or Fax Header field. On HP printers: Setup → Fax Setup → Basic Fax Setup → Fax Header. On Brother printers: Menu → Initial Setup → Station ID → Fax. You can also print a fax activity report — your fax number appears in the header at the top of the printout.
Is my printer's fax number the same as my phone number?
Your printer's fax number is the phone number assigned to the telephone line plugged into the printer's LINE port. If you have a dedicated fax line, it is a different number from your voice line. If both share one line with distinctive ring service, they may use the same base number but respond to different ring patterns.
What if the fax number is blank in my printer settings?
A blank Station ID means no number was entered during setup. Use the Caller ID method: put the printer in manual dial mode, dial your mobile number, and note the Caller ID reading on your phone. That is the real line number. Then enter it into the Station ID field and save.
How do I find my fax number on an HP OfficeJet printer?
Tap the gear (Setup) icon on the touchscreen, then go to Fax Setup → Basic Fax Setup → Fax Header. The saved fax number is displayed. On older button-based models, press the right-arrow key, then Setup → Basic Fax Setup → Fax Header.
How do I find my fax number on a Brother printer?
Press Menu, navigate to Initial Setup, press OK, then scroll to Station ID and press OK, then select Fax. On touchscreen models: tap Settings → All Settings → Initial Setup → Station ID → Fax.
Summary: Which Method Is Right for You?
| Method | Best When | Time |
|---|---|---|
| LCD Settings Menu | You have a modern printer with a clear display | 1–2 min |
| Fax Activity Report | You want a printed record of the number | 2–3 min |
| Embedded Web Server | Networked printer, small screen hard to read | 3–5 min |
| Caller ID Method | Station ID is blank or you suspect it's wrong | 2 min |
| Previously Sent Fax | You have paper copies handy | Instant |
Still struggling with your fax setup? Our guide to common fax machine problems and fixes covers the most frequent issues, including incorrect header information and connectivity failures. If you need to share a fax number with remote teams, a virtual fax number from mFax Business gives you a dedicated line without any hardware — starting at about $9/mo (billed annually), and because it's fully customizable, you build your own plan around the exact number of seats and pages your team needs rather than paying for a fixed tier.