How to Send a Fax from Your Windows PC
Windows Fax and Scan requires a fax modem and landline that most PCs no longer have. Skip the legacy hardware. Open your browser, upload a document, enter the fax number, and send. Done in under 5 minutes.
Why Windows Fax and Scan no longer works for most people
Windows Fax and Scan ships with Windows 10 and 11, but it was built for an era when PCs had dial-up modems and homes had analog phone lines. Here is what it actually requires — and why most Windows users cannot use it.
Physical fax modem required
A USB or internal modem with analog fax capability. Most modern PCs and laptops do not include one, and USB fax modem drivers are increasingly incompatible with Windows 11.
Analog landline required
A traditional copper-wire phone line. VoIP lines (like those from cable providers) scramble the fax signal and do not work. Cellular connections do not work either.
Compatible drivers required
Microsoft has been removing legacy modem drivers with unpatched security vulnerabilities. After a Windows update, your modem may simply stop working — with no fix available.
Surface Pro and ARM64 users
Windows Fax and Scan is not available at all on ARM-based Windows 11 devices, including Surface Pro X, Surface Pro 11, and Surface Laptop 7. There is no workaround — you need an online fax service.
If you do not have a fax modem and a copper landline, Windows Fax and Scan cannot help you. OneFaxNow works in any browser on any Windows device — no hardware, no drivers, no phone line.
What you need
Windows PC
Windows 10 or 11, any browser
Document
PDF, DOCX, XLS, JPG, PNG, or TXT
Fax number
U.S. or Canada number
Payment
Card, Google Pay, or Apple Pay
Step-by-step: fax from Windows in 5 minutes
Open OneFaxNow in your browser
Open Chrome, Edge, or Firefox on your Windows PC and go to OneFaxNow.com. Click "Send a Fax" to open the fax form.
No account creation, no software download — you go straight to uploading. Works on any Windows PC with an internet connection.
Upload your document
Click "Choose Files" or drag and drop directly from File Explorer. OneFaxNow accepts:
- PDF — from any source (downloads, email attachments, saved files)
- DOCX / DOC — Word documents uploaded directly, no conversion needed
- XLS / XLSX — Excel spreadsheets (time sheets, forms, budgets)
- JPG / PNG / TIFF — photos and scanned images
- TXT — plain text files
Tip: Use Ctrl+P and select "Microsoft Print to PDF" to convert any printable document — including web pages, emails, and spreadsheets — into a fax-ready PDF.
Enter the fax number and your email
Type the recipient's U.S. or Canada fax number. The form auto-formats as you type — just enter the digits.
Enter your email address to receive a delivery confirmation when the fax goes through.
Optional: toggle "Add Cover Page" to include sender/recipient details and a message on the first page of your fax.
Pay and send
Review your fax details — number, email, page count, and price — then click "Pay & Send".
Pay with a credit or debit card, Google Pay, or Apple Pay. Your payment is authorized but not charged until the fax is delivered successfully.
Pay-on-success guarantee: If the fax fails after 3 automatic retries, the authorization is released and you are never charged.
Track your delivery
After payment, you'll see a live status page that updates in real time: Sending → Delivered.
- Watch transmission progress live in your browser
- Automatic retries if the line is busy (up to 3 attempts)
- Email confirmation when delivery is complete
Windows-specific faxing tips
Print to PDF first
Need to fax a web page, email, or any printable document? Press Ctrl+P, select "Microsoft Print to PDF" as the printer, and save. Then upload the PDF to OneFaxNow.
Drag from File Explorer
Open File Explorer alongside your browser. Select your files and drag them directly into the OneFaxNow upload area. Works in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
Use Snipping Tool for partial docs
Need to fax just part of a page? Press Win+Shift+S to open Snipping Tool, capture the area, save as PNG, and upload it. Great for forms where you only need specific sections.
Combine multiple documents
Upload up to 15 files per fax (50 pages total). OneFaxNow automatically merges them in the order you add them into one transmission.
Windows Fax and Scan vs. OneFaxNow
| Feature | Windows Fax & Scan | OneFaxNow |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware needed | USB fax modem + analog landline | None — any browser on any Windows PC |
| Phone line | Required (analog only, no VoIP) | Not needed — uses your internet connection |
| Software install | Optional Windows feature + modem drivers | None — browser-based |
| ARM64 support | Not available | Full support (Chrome/Edge) |
| HIPAA compliance | None | Instant BAA, encryption, audit logs |
| Cost | Free (if you have the hardware) | $3.50 for 1-10 pages |
| Delivery tracking | Basic (local only) | Real-time + email confirmation |
| Automatic retries | No | Up to 3 attempts |
| File types | TIFF only (must print-to-fax) | PDF, DOCX, XLS, JPG, PNG, TXT, TIFF |
| Mobile access | None | iOS and Android apps |
Why OneFaxNow for Windows
Works in any browser
Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Brave — if it runs on your Windows PC, OneFaxNow works in it. No plugins, no extensions, no downloads.
No subscription
Pay per fax, not per month. $3.50 for 1-10 pages, $5.00 for 11-50 pages. No recurring charges, no credit packs, no trial-to-subscription traps.
Under 5 minutes
Upload, fill in the number, pay, done. Most faxes are delivered within 60 seconds of sending.
Also available on iPhone, Android, and Mac/Chromebook.
Simple pricing
Lite
1-10 pages
$3.50
HIPAA add-on: +$3
Standard
11-50 pages
$5.00
HIPAA add-on: +$5
Pay only on successful delivery. Authorization released on failure.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fax from Windows without a fax modem?
Yes. OneFaxNow works entirely in your web browser. No fax modem, no phone line, no software to install. Open Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, upload your document, and send.
Does Windows Fax and Scan work without a phone line?
No. Windows Fax and Scan requires both a physical fax modem and a traditional analog landline phone line. It cannot send faxes over WiFi, VoIP, or the internet. For online faxing, use OneFaxNow instead.
Is Windows Fax and Scan available on Windows 11?
On x64 versions of Windows 11, it can be installed as an optional feature, but it still requires a fax modem and landline to function. On ARM64 devices like Surface Pro X and Surface Pro 11, Windows Fax and Scan is not available at all.
How much does it cost to fax from a Windows PC?
With OneFaxNow: $3.50 for 1-10 pages, $5.00 for 11-50 pages. No subscription, no monthly fees. You pay only when the fax is delivered successfully. HIPAA mode adds $3 (Lite) or $5 (Standard).
What file types can I fax from my Windows PC?
OneFaxNow accepts PDF, DOCX, DOC, XLS, XLSX, JPG, PNG, TIFF, and TXT files. You can upload up to 15 files per fax (50 pages total). Tip: use Ctrl+P and "Microsoft Print to PDF" to convert any printable document to a fax-ready PDF.
Can I send a HIPAA-compliant fax from Windows?
Yes. Toggle HIPAA mode before sending to get encrypted transmission, automatic file deletion after delivery, audit logs, and an instant Business Associate Agreement (BAA). Windows Fax and Scan has no HIPAA capabilities.
Why did my fax modem stop working after a Windows update?
Microsoft has removed legacy modem drivers with unpatched security vulnerabilities. This is especially common on Windows 11, where unsigned kernel-mode drivers are blocked. Instead of troubleshooting modem drivers, use an online fax service like OneFaxNow that requires no hardware.
Related guides
Fax from Microsoft Word
Upload your DOCX directly — no conversion needed
Fax from Outlook
Fax email attachments from Outlook on Windows
Fax a PDF
Step-by-step guide to faxing PDF documents
Fax over WiFi
No phone line needed — fax using your internet connection
Fax from Computer
General guide for Mac, Windows, and Chromebook
Fax Without a Landline
How to send a fax when you do not have a phone line
Ready to fax from your Windows PC?
Upload your document and send in under 5 minutes. No modem, no phone line, no account, no subscription.