By Sarah Martinez · Published May 27, 2025 · Updated March 9, 2026 · 8 min read
Quick Answer: To fax from a printer with a phone line, connect an RJ-11 cable to the "LINE" port and use the Fax button. No phone line? Use the printer's scanner to create a PDF, then send it instantly via mFax.to — delivery confirmed in seconds.
You bought an all-in-one printer that says "Print / Scan / Copy / Fax" on the box. But when you press the fax button, nothing works — or the printer keeps showing "No Dial Tone."
Here is why: printer fax functions do not work over Wi-Fi. The wireless connection is only for printing and scanning. To use the built-in fax dialer, you need a physical analog phone cord plugged into the wall — just like the 1990s.
The good news: even without a landline, you can still fax from your all-in-one printer. You just need to use the scanner first, and then send the PDF online. This guide covers both methods for HP, Brother, Canon, and Epson machines.
The Modern Method (Recommended for Most People)
Scan the document → Upload the PDF to mFax.to → Send. No phone line, no setup, no monthly fee required. You get an email confirmation when the fax is delivered.
Does Your Printer Actually Support Fax?
Before going further, verify your specific model has fax capability — not all all-in-one printers do.
Check for these two signs:
- A "Fax" button or menu option on the printer's control panel or touchscreen
- A phone-line port on the back labeled "LINE," "1-LINE," or a phone icon
If neither is present, your printer is a print/scan/copy model with no built-in fax modem. In that case, the scan-to-online-fax method (Method 1 below) is your only option — and honestly, it is the better one anyway.
Common fax-capable models by brand:
| Brand | Fax-Capable Models |
|---|---|
| HP | OfficeJet Pro 8025e, 9015e, ENVY 6055e, DeskJet 4155e |
| Brother | MFC-L2750DW, MFC-J4335DW, MFC-L3770CDW |
| Canon | PIXMA TR8620a, TR4720, MF644Cdw |
| Epson | WorkForce Pro WF-4820, WF-3820, EcoTank ET-5850 |
Method 1: Scan & Send Online — No Phone Line Needed
Best for: Anyone without a landline. This is the recommended method in 2026.
The printer's scanner does the heavy lifting — it digitizes your paper document. Then you send that file via an online fax service. The whole process takes under 2 minutes.
Place Your Document in the Scanner
Put your papers face-down on the glass (flatbed scan) or face-up in the automatic document feeder (ADF) if your printer has one. The ADF is faster for multi-page documents.
Scan to PDF
On the printer's control panel, select Scan → Scan to Computer or Scan to PDF. Choose PDF as the file format — not JPEG. A multi-page document should become a single PDF file. Save it to your desktop.
Open mFax.to in Your Browser
On your computer or phone, go to mFax.to. No app download needed — it runs in any web browser.
Upload the PDF and Enter the Fax Number
Drag the scanned PDF into the upload area, or click to browse. Enter the recipient's full fax number including area code (e.g., +1 212 555 0100). Add a cover page note if needed.
Send and Get Confirmation
Click Send Fax. You will receive an email confirmation once the fax is successfully delivered to the recipient's machine.
Pro Tip: Scan to Email Works Too
If your printer supports "Scan to Email," you can email the PDF to yourself first, then upload it to mFax.to from any device — handy when the computer is in another room.
Method 2: Traditional Fax with a Phone Line
Best for: Offices with an active analog (copper) phone line.
VoIP Lines Often Don't Work
If your office uses a digital phone service like Comcast Business Voice, Spectrum, or a VoIP PBX system, the fax modem in your printer may not detect a dial tone or will fail mid-transmission with a "Comm Error." These services use digital packets, not the analog tones fax machines require. If that applies to you, use Method 1.
What You Need
- Your all-in-one printer (with fax capability)
- A standard RJ-11 telephone cable (2-wire)
- An active analog landline wall jack
Step-by-Step
- Connect the phone cord. Plug one end into the wall jack and the other end into the port labeled "LINE" (or "1-LINE") on the back of the printer. Do not use the "EXT" or "2-EXT" port — that is for a handset.
- Load your document. Place paper face-up in the automatic document feeder, or face-down on the flatbed glass.
- Press the Fax button on the printer's control panel.
- Enter the fax number using the keypad. Include the area code and "1" for long-distance US numbers (e.g.,
1-800-555-0100). - Adjust settings (optional): resolution (Standard / Fine / Super Fine), contrast, and whether to include a cover page.
- Press Start / Send. The printer dials and you should hear tones. A confirmation page prints when finished.
Brand-Specific Setup Notes
HP Printers
HP labels the fax port "1-LINE" on the back panel. The "2-EXT" port beside it is for connecting an answering machine so both can share the same line. HP recommends using only the two-wire phone cord that came in the box — four-wire cords from other devices can cause transmission errors.
For HP Smart app users: the Mobile Fax feature within the HP Smart app lets you send faxes over the internet without a phone line at all — similar in concept to mFax.to.
Brother Printers
Brother's fax setup starts in Menu → Initial Setup → Station ID, where you register your fax number and name (this prints on the header of outgoing faxes). Brother machines support PC-FAX, which lets you send documents directly from your computer to a fax number via the Brother software suite — the machine acts as a modem but still requires a phone line.
Canon Printers
Canon PIXMA TR and MF series models include fax setup via Menu → Fax Settings → User Settings → User Information. Canon's setup wizard walks you through entering your phone number, fax header, and reception mode (Auto / Manual / Fax/Tel switching mode for shared lines).
Epson Printers
Epson WorkForce Pro models (WF-4820, WF-3820) and EcoTank ET-5850 support fax via the Fax Setup Wizard found in Settings → General Settings → Fax Settings. If you have a DSL internet line sharing the same phone jack, you must install a DSL filter (a small pass-through adapter, typically $5–$10) between the wall and the printer to separate the DSL signal from the fax signal.
Troubleshooting Common Printer Fax Errors
❌ "No Dial Tone"
The printer can't detect an active phone signal. Check that the cable is in the LINE port (not EXT). Plug a regular phone into the same wall jack to confirm the line is live. If your service is VoIP, switch to Method 1.
❌ "Comm Error" or "Error 344"
The connection was lost during transmission. Common on VoIP, DSL without a filter, or call-waiting enabled lines. Disable call waiting (dial *70 before the fax number) or use an online fax service.
❌ "Line Busy"
The recipient's fax machine is busy or off. Wait 5–10 minutes and try again. Many printers have an auto-redial feature — check under Fax Settings → Redial.
❌ Fax Sends but Arrives Blank
You loaded the document upside down. Most ADF feeders need pages face up; flatbed glass needs them face down. Check your printer's manual — it varies by model.
Universal Fix for Persistent Errors
If troubleshooting the phone line doesn't resolve the issue, use Method 1: scan the document and send via mFax.to. Online fax services eliminate every phone-line variable entirely — they work over your internet connection and deliver to any fax number worldwide.
Comparing Methods: Phone Line vs. Scan-to-Online
| Traditional (Phone Line) | Scan + mFax.to (Online) | |
|---|---|---|
| Requires landline | Yes | No |
| Works with VoIP | Unreliable | Yes |
| Setup complexity | Medium | Low |
| Cost | Phone line subscription | Pay-per-fax or subscription |
| Delivery confirmation | Printed report | Email confirmation |
| International faxing | Extra charges | Supported |
| HIPAA compliant | Printer only | Yes (mFax.to) |
For most homes and modern offices — where analog landlines have been replaced by internet-based phone services — the Scan + mFax.to method is the more practical and reliable choice.
Can You Fax from a Printer Without Any Setup at All?
If you need to fax a physical paper document right now and don't want to configure anything, here is the fastest possible workflow:
- Scan your document using any method (even your phone's camera using a scanning app like Adobe Scan or Microsoft Lens).
- Open mFax.to on your phone.
- Upload the file, enter the fax number, and send.
This approach doesn't require the printer at all once you have the document digitized — which is why more people skip the printer's fax function entirely and go straight to their phone.
For a comparison of mobile fax options, see our guide to faxing from an iPhone and faxing from an Android device.
When Should You Still Use the Printer's Built-In Fax?
The traditional phone-line method still makes sense if:
- Your office has a dedicated analog fax line (common in law firms, medical offices, and government agencies)
- You send high volumes of faxes and prefer not to rely on a per-page online service
- You need to receive faxes directly to the printer (the fax machine prints incoming faxes automatically)
- Your organization's compliance requirements mandate a dedicated fax line
For most other use cases — one-off faxes, home use, or mixed-use offices — the scan-to-online workflow is simpler and cheaper. Learn more about choosing the right setup in our best online fax services comparison.
Sending a Fax from Your Printer: Key Takeaways
- Printer fax ≠ Wi-Fi fax. The built-in fax modem always needs a physical phone cord.
- No landline? Use the scanner. Scan your document to PDF, then send via mFax.to.
- VoIP lines cause "Comm Errors." Switch to an online fax service if your office runs on digital voice.
- DSL users need a filter. A $5–$10 DSL filter prevents signal interference for Epson and other brands.
- Confirm the LINE port. HP calls it "1-LINE," Brother and Canon label it "LINE" — never plug into "EXT."
Get Started
Whether you have a landline or not, you can send a fax from your printer's output today. For the fastest, most reliable result, scan your document and send it via mFax.to — no configuration, no phone cord, and no guessing whether the fax went through.