By Alexey Spasskiy · Published January 26, 2026 · Updated June 8, 2026 · 9 min read
Quick Answer: Windows Fax and Scan is available on Windows 11, but you must install it manually as an optional feature. It requires a physical fax modem and an analog phone line — it cannot fax over the internet. If you need to fax without a modem, skip to the alternatives section below.
Windows Fax and Scan has been part of Windows since Vista. It survived Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and now Windows 11 — but Microsoft no longer installs it by default. After Windows 11 version 22H2, you have to add it yourself.
This guide covers the whole process: how to install Windows Fax and Scan on Windows 11, what hardware you need, how to set up a fax account, how to send and receive faxes, and how to fix the most common issues. There is also a section for users who want to fax from Windows 11 without any modem or phone line hardware.
Hardware Required
Windows Fax and Scan is not an internet fax application. It requires a fax modem connected to an analog telephone wall jack. A broadband modem, Wi-Fi router, or cable connection will not work.
What Is Windows Fax and Scan?
Windows Fax and Scan is a legacy application built into Windows that combines two functions:
- Faxing — send and receive faxes through a connected fax modem and phone line
- Scanning — scan documents via any TWAIN- or WIA-compatible scanner
The two functions are independent. You can use the scanning feature without a fax modem. But to send or receive faxes, you need the hardware.
The app organizes faxes into familiar folders — Inbox, Drafts, Outbox, and Sent Items — similar to an email client. Received faxes are stored as TIFF files. It is not a cloud service; everything stays on your PC.
Who Still Uses Windows Fax and Scan?
Healthcare offices, law firms, insurance agencies, and government contractors who already have an analog phone line and a fax modem installed. If you are faxing for the first time and don't have that hardware, an online fax service is almost always easier.
What You Need Before You Start
Before installing or configuring Windows Fax and Scan, confirm you have the following:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 x64 | Must be an x64 (64-bit) installation — not ARM64. Snapdragon-based laptops are excluded. |
| Fax modem | Internal PCIe modem, external USB modem, or multifunction printer with fax support |
| Analog phone line | A physical landline connected to the modem via a telephone cord |
| Windows 11 edition | Available on Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education (x64 builds) |
Do you have a VoIP line? If your phone service runs over the internet (via a router or Analog Telephone Adapter), faxing will be unreliable. VoIP lines drop fax signals frequently. Consider using an online fax service instead.
How to Install Windows Fax and Scan on Windows 11
Windows Fax and Scan is not in the Start menu by default. Use one of the three methods below.
Method 1: Settings (Recommended)
Open Optional Features
Go to Start → Settings → System → Optional Features. On some Windows 11 builds, the path is Settings → Apps → Optional Features.
Search for the feature
Click "View features" (next to "Add an optional feature"). In the search box, type fax. Check the box next to "Windows Fax and Scan".
Install
Click Next, then Install. An active internet connection is required. Installation takes a few minutes.
Launch the app
Search for "Windows Fax and Scan" in the Start menu. Pin it to your taskbar for quick access.
Method 2: Turn Windows Features On or Off (Control Panel)
Press Windows + R, type optionalfeatures, and press Enter. In the Windows Features dialog, scroll down to find Windows Fax and Scan, check the box, and click OK. Restart if prompted.
Method 3: Command Prompt or PowerShell (Admin)
If the feature does not appear in Optional Features — common on Windows 11 Home or newer builds — use the command line:
DISM (Command Prompt, run as Administrator):
Dism /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:Print.Fax.Scan~~~~0.0.1.0
PowerShell (run as Administrator):
Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name "Print.Fax.Scan~~~~0.0.1.0"
If the command returns an error about the capability name, run this first to find the exact name on your system:
Get-WindowsCapability -Online | Where-Object Name -Like "*Fax*"
Windows 11 Home
All three methods work on Windows 11 Home (x64). The command-line method is the most reliable if the feature is not visible in Settings.
How to Set Up a Fax Account
Once the app is installed and your fax modem is connected to the phone line:
Connect the fax modem
Plug your USB fax modem into the PC. Connect a telephone cord from the modem's LINE port to your analog wall jack. Windows should detect and install the modem automatically. Verify it appears in Device Manager under Modems.
Open Windows Fax and Scan
Launch the app. In the lower-left corner, make sure Fax is selected (not Scan).
Add a fax account
Go to Tools → Fax Accounts → Add. Select "Connect to a fax modem", give the account a name, and click Next.
Configure the fax device
Go to Tools → Fax Settings. On the General tab, click "Select fax device" and choose your modem. Check "Allow the device to send faxes". For receiving, also check "Allow the device to receive fax calls" and choose Automatic answering.
Set your TSID and CSID
Still in Fax Settings, enter your TSID (Transmitting Station Identifier) and CSID (Called Subscriber Identifier) — typically your fax number or company name. These identify your machine to recipients.
How to Send a Fax
Click 'New Fax'
In Windows Fax and Scan, click New Fax in the toolbar.
Enter the recipient's fax number
Type the fax number in the To: field. Use the full number including area code. For international faxes, see our complete guide to international faxing.
Add a cover page (optional)
Select a cover page from the drop-down, or go to Tools → Cover Pages to create a custom one. See our fax cover sheet templates for reference.
Write the message or attach a file
Type a message in the body area. To attach a document, click the Attach button and browse to your file. Supported formats: .pdf, .doc, .xls, .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .png, .tif. All files are converted to TIFF for transmission.
Send
Click Send. The fax appears in the Outbox while it is transmitting, then moves to Sent Items once delivered. Keep the computer on and the modem connected throughout the process.
Delivery Confirmation
Windows Fax and Scan logs each sent fax in the Sent Items folder with a transmission report. Right-click any item and select "View report" to see the result.
How to Receive Faxes
Automatic Reception
- In Tools → Fax Settings, check "Allow the device to receive fax calls"
- Select "Automatically answer after" and enter the number of rings (2–4 is common)
- Click OK
- Your PC must remain powered on and the modem must stay connected to receive incoming faxes
Received faxes appear in the Inbox folder. They are stored as TIFF files. Right-click any received fax to Print, Save As, or Forward as Email.
Manual Reception
When you expect an incoming fax, go to Tools → "Receive a Fax Now". The app picks up the line and receives the transmission. Use this mode if the phone line is shared between fax and voice calls.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "Windows Fax and Scan" not in Optional Features | Newer Windows 11 build; feature hidden | Use the DISM command above |
| Fax modem not detected | Drivers not installed or incompatible | Check Device Manager; update or reinstall modem drivers |
| Fax fails to send | Phone line not connected or inactive | Verify the cord runs from modem LINE port to the wall jack; test with a phone |
| "No fax device detected" error | Fax account misconfigured | Go to Tools → Fax Accounts and re-add the account |
| App crashes on launch | Corrupted install | Run as administrator; uninstall and reinstall the feature |
| Fax service not running | Windows service stopped | Press Win + R, type services.msc, find Fax, right-click → Start |
| Scanner not detected | WIA service stopped | In Services, restart Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) |
| Fax account disappears after update | Windows Update resets the account | Re-add via Tools → Fax Accounts → Add |
Run as Administrator
Many Windows Fax and Scan issues are resolved by right-clicking the app icon and choosing "Run as administrator". This applies especially on Windows 11 Home.
Limitations of Windows Fax and Scan
Windows Fax and Scan is a useful tool if you already have the hardware — but it has real constraints:
- Requires a fax modem and analog phone line — not practical for most modern laptops or home offices
- Cannot fax over the internet — broadband, Wi-Fi, and VoIP connections will not work
- Not available on ARM64 — Snapdragon and other ARM-based Windows 11 devices are excluded
- PC must stay on — the computer must remain running to automatically receive incoming faxes
- No mobile access — no app, no cloud sync, no remote access
- TIFF output only — received faxes save as TIFF, not PDF
- No HIPAA compliance documentation — if you need a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), Windows Fax and Scan cannot provide one; see HIPAA-compliant fax services
- Legacy software — no major updates in years; Microsoft has gradually been phasing it out
A Simpler Alternative: Fax from Windows 11 Without Any Hardware
If you don't have a fax modem or phone line — or you just want something less complicated — an online fax service is the better choice.
mFax.to works entirely in your browser on any Windows 11 PC. No modem, no phone line, no drivers.
| Windows Fax and Scan | mFax.to | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware required | Fax modem + phone line | None |
| Works over internet | No | Yes |
| Mobile access | No | Yes (iOS & Android) |
| HIPAA compliance | No | Yes (Business plan) |
| Virtual fax number | No | Yes |
| Setup time | 30–60 minutes | Under 2 minutes |
| Cost | Free (hardware not included) | Pay-per-fax or subscription |
For personal faxing, visit mFax.to, upload your PDF, enter the fax number, and send. Most faxes are delivered in under 60 seconds.
For business teams, mFax Business adds virtual fax numbers, team accounts, HIPAA compliance, and delivery audit logs — starting at about $9/mo (billed annually). It's fully customizable: you build your own plan by choosing the exact seats (1–35) and pages (200–5,000) you need with a live calculator and pay only for what you use — no rigid fixed tiers like most competitors.
No computer needs to stay on. No phone line to manage. No modem to update.
Try mFax.to Free
Send your first fax from any Windows 11 browser — no setup, no hardware, no waiting. Visit mFax.to →
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Windows Fax and Scan still work in 2026? Yes, it still functions on Windows 11 x64 systems that have it installed. Microsoft has not removed it, but it is no longer installed by default. Support may end in a future Windows version.
Can I use Windows Fax and Scan with a multifunction printer? Yes, if your all-in-one printer includes a fax modem and a telephone port. Connect a phone line to the printer's LINE port, install the manufacturer's drivers, and the printer will appear as a fax device in Windows Fax and Scan.
Does it work with VoIP? Unreliably. VoIP lines transmit voice as digital packets, which disrupts fax signal tones. You can try connecting your fax modem through an Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA), but success varies. A dedicated fax service is more reliable over internet connections. For more, see our guide on VoIP fax problems.
Can Windows Fax and Scan send to email? Not directly. It cannot convert a received fax and deliver it to your inbox. However, you can forward a received fax as an email attachment by right-clicking it in the Inbox and selecting Forward as Email. For automatic fax-to-email delivery, use a service that supports fax to email routing.
Summary
Windows Fax and Scan on Windows 11 works — but it is a legacy tool built for hardware that most people no longer have. If you have a fax modem and an analog phone line, the steps above will get you up and running. If you don't, an online fax service like mFax.to is the faster, simpler path.
For related guides, see:
- How to Fax from Your Computer — all methods, with and without hardware
- How to Fax Without a Phone Line — internet-based faxing options
- Best Online Fax Services — comparison of top services for 2026