How to receive a fax using a computer, fax machine, or online?

Knowing how to receive a fax is crucial because many people still communicate by fax. Nowadays, receiving a fax can be done in one of two ways: either using a fax machine or an online fax service. Here, both approaches are covered in full.

Receiving a fax with an online fax service

As faxing is becoming less popular as a means of communication, many people are switching to an online fax service. A fax machine has some of the same functions as an online fax service, plus the extra advantage of allowing you to send faxes online from any location with an internet connection. Use the short instructions below to receive a fax if you already have an online fax service:

1. Enroll in the online faxing service. A fax number will be issued to you (alternatively, some will let you port an existing fax number to their service).
2. Allow someone to fax you by giving them your fax number. Visit our page on how to test a fax to test the service.
3. You will get a copy of faxes sent to you as a PDF attachment to emails.
4. You can also access received faxes through the online interface, desktop application, or mobile app of the fax service.

use a fax machine to receive a fax

Receiving a fax with a fax machine

Your fax machine must be correctly configured in order for you to receive faxes using one. To ensure that your fax machine is properly adjusted, we’ve put together a comprehensive instruction on how to use a fax machine, along with certain settings you might need to take into account. You’ll be prepared to receive faxes after your fax is turned on and setup. Your fax machine will automatically accept faxes if:

1. Set up your fax machine
2. Allow someone to fax you by giving them your fax number. Alternately, we offer several methods for testing faxes.
3. The fax machine will automatically respond to and print the fax when the fax line rings.

Using your fax machine manually, receive faxes as follows:

1. Set up your fax machine
2. Allow someone to fax you by giving them your fax number. Alternately, we offer several methods for testing faxes.
3. Press receive when the fax line rings. The answering fax machine will print the response.
4. In some cases, you can still select “receive” on the fax while the phone line is active if you choose to answer the phone over the fax machine.

Receiving a fax with a computer

Nowadays, the majority of PCs have fax capabilities. Although using an online fax service instead of a computer to send a fax is the more common choice, some people still use their computer in place of a desk-based fax machine. We have put together a comprehensive guide to setting up fax services on your computer, which supports Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, as well as Mac OS X and Linux. If you already have fax software installed on your computer, sending a fax through a computer often involves the steps listed below:

To routinely receive faxes:

1. Launch the fax-receiving programme you want to use.
2. Attend to the fax line till it rings.
3. The fax programme will automatically respond and take the fax when the line rings.
4. The majority of fax software will electronically receive the fax. Your faxes can be printed at a later time.

Taking a fax manually:

1. Launch the fax-receiving programme you want to use.
2. Attend to the fax line till it rings.
3. When the phone rings, a button that says “answer fax” should be present. Toggle it.
4. The fax machine will pick up the call and take the fax.
5. The fax will be electronically received. Then, it can be printed.