How to Send a Test Fax

The short answer

Send a one-page fax to a number that reports back. Public test services such as Faxbeep give you a number and show the page on their website once it arrives. If you can see your page, your machine can send.

How to test a fax machine

1. Print a page with a few lines of text. A plain page shows faults more clearly.

2. Send it to a public test fax number from your machine.

3. Check the result on the website of the test service.

4. Look at the printed confirmation report if your machine produces one.

To test receiving, send a fax to your own machine from another line or an online service.

How to test a fax number

If you are not sure that a number is a fax line, call it from a phone first. Fax tones mean that it is a fax line. A voice or a recording means that it is not.

Then send a single page. It is the cheapest way to check before you send a long document. Each new account gets 20 free pages, and after that page packs start at $4.99 for 25 pages.

What a failed test means

No dial tone points to the phone line or the cable. A busy result means that you should try again later.

Black lines down the page usually mean a dirty scanner glass. A connection that drops halfway often means a noisy line, and a slower speed in your machine settings can help.

FAQ

Keep reading

• What is a fax number?
• How long does a fax take?