How to Fax From a Printer: Step-by-Step for HP, Canon, Epson and Brother

Published September 28, 2026. Written by William Elward, founder of Castle Ink.

Quick answer

To fax from a printer, you need an all-in-one printer with a fax feature (usually marked "Fax" or with a phone jack labeled LINE) and an analog phone line plugged into it. Load your document face-up in the automatic document feeder (or face-down on the glass), press Fax on the control panel, enter the number including 1 + area code, and press Start or Send. The printer dials, sends, and can print a confirmation report.

No landline? You can still fax without a fax machine. See How to fax without a fax machine.

What you need before you fax

• A printer that can fax. Look for "Fax" in the model's feature list or on the home screen. Many home all-in-ones print, scan and copy but don't fax. Brother MFC models, HP OfficeJet Pro models, Canon MAXIFY and some PIXMA MX models, and Epson WorkForce models commonly do.
• An analog phone line. Plug the phone cord into the port labeled LINE (sometimes shown as a phone jack icon), not the EXT or TEL port, which is for an extension phone.
• A dial tone. Digital (VoIP) phone service from a cable company can work, but it's less reliable for fax. If sends keep failing, see the troubleshooting section below.
• The fax setup done once. Most printers ask for your fax number and name (the "header") during setup. Some US models won't send until you enter them.

How to send a fax (any brand)

1. Load the document. Multi-page documents go in the automatic document feeder (ADF), usually face-up. Single pages or books go face-down on the scanner glass. Not sure which you have? See What is a document feeder (ADF)?
2. Open the fax screen. Press Fax on the touchscreen or the Fax button.
3. Enter the number. In the US, dial 1 + area code + number. If your office line needs a 9 for an outside line, add it first.
4. Choose black or color. Black-and-white is the default and most compatible. Many receiving machines can't handle color faxes.
5. Press Start, Send or Black. The printer scans the pages and dials.
6. Check the result. Print a confirmation or transmission report if you need proof it went through.

Brand-by-brand steps

HP OfficeJet and OfficeJet Pro

1. Load the document.
2. On the touchscreen, tap Fax, then Send Now.
3. Enter the number with the keypad (or pick a speed dial).
4. Tap Black or Color (or Send) to start.

To turn on confirmation reports: Fax > Setup > Preferences > Fax Confirmation (menu names vary by model).

Brother MFC models

1. Load the document.
2. Press Fax (or the fax icon on touchscreen models).
3. Enter the fax number.
4. Press Fax Start or Start.

Brother laser MFCs are popular in offices for faxing. If yours prints faded incoming faxes, it's usually low toner or a worn drum. See Drum unit vs. toner cartridge and shop Brother toner.

Canon MAXIFY and PIXMA MX

1. Load the document.
2. Press FAX (or select Fax on the home screen).
3. Enter the number.
4. Press Black or Color to send.

Epson WorkForce and some EcoTank models

1. Load the document.
2. Tap Fax on the home screen.
3. Enter the number under Recipient.
4. Tap the Start (diamond) button.

How to fax from your computer through the printer

Most fax-capable all-in-ones can send a document straight from your computer, with no printing or scanning first. The printer still needs the phone line.

• Brother: use PC-FAX. In the Print dialog, choose the "Brother PC-FAX" printer, then enter the number.
• HP: in the HP Smart app on Windows or HP's printer software, look for Send Fax. Some models also show an "HP ... Fax" printer in the Print dialog.
• Canon and Epson: install the full driver package from the manufacturer's site. It adds a fax driver that appears as a separate printer called "... FAX".
• Mac: some models add a fax option in the Print dialog's PDF menu or as a separate fax printer after installing the full driver.

How to receive a fax

Set the receive mode in the fax settings:

• Fax only / Auto answer: the printer answers every call as a fax. Best for a dedicated fax line.
• Fax/Tel or Manual: for a line shared with a phone. The printer listens for fax tones or waits for you to press Start.
• Rings to answer: set higher than your answering machine if both share the line.

Received faxes print automatically. Keep paper loaded and ink or toner stocked, or incoming faxes may be stored in memory until you add supplies.

Fax not sending? Common fixes

• No dial tone: check the cord is in the LINE port and try a different cord. Plug a regular phone into the same wall jack to confirm the line works.
• Using DSL: add a DSL filter between the wall jack and the printer.
• VoIP or cable phone: lower the fax speed. Look for a setting like Fax Speed or Compatibility and set it to Slow or Basic (9600 bps). Also turn off ECM (error correction mode) if failures continue.
• Busy or no answer: check the number, add 1 + area code, and confirm the recipient's machine is on.
• Run the fax test: HP, Brother, Canon and Epson all include a fax connection check in the fax setup or tools menu.
• Printer offline or erroring: see Printer is in an error state.

Common questions

Can every printer fax?

No. Only models with a built-in fax modem can. Most budget home all-in-ones (for example many HP DeskJet, Canon PIXMA TS and Epson Expression models) can print, scan and copy but can't fax. Check for a phone jack on the back of the printer.

Do I need a landline to fax from a printer?

Yes, a printer's built-in fax needs a phone line. If you don't have one, use an online fax service or app instead. See How to fax without a fax machine.

Can I fax using Wi-Fi?

Not directly. Wi-Fi connects the printer to your computer, not to the phone network. You can scan a document on the printer and send it through an online fax service, though. See How to scan from your printer.

How do I know my fax went through?

Print a transmission or confirmation report from the fax menu. It shows the number dialed, pages sent, time and result ("OK").

Does faxing use ink?

Sending a fax doesn't use ink or toner. Receiving one does, because the printer prints it. A fax-heavy office usually does better with a laser model. See Best laser printer for home use.

Keep your fax printer supplied

• Brother toner and Brother drum units
• HP ink for OfficeJet and OfficeJet Pro
• Panasonic fax toner and Sharp fax toner
• Not sure which cartridge you need? Use Find ink by printer.

Related guides

• How to fax without a fax machine
• How to scan from your printer to a computer, PDF, email or phone
• What is a document feeder (ADF)?
• 10 best all-in-one printers
• Printer error codes explained

About the author: William Elward is the founder of Castle Ink and has written about printers, ink cartridges, and printing technology for more than 20 years.