How to Use a Fax Machine With a Phone

Using a fax machine with a phone can seem a little more difficult than getting an additional phone line for your fax machine. However, it can be done and once you figure out how to do it you will see that it is really easy. Most people do not use a fax machine with a phone (on the same phone line) because they either do not know that they can do this, or receive a lot of faxes and do not want to bother with it. If you do not receive a lot of faxes you can easily use your fax machine with your phone.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Set up your fax machine as you normally would. In the settings of your fax machine you will need to select the receive mode. This can usually be found by pushing the menu or settings button on your fax machine. Set the receive mode to phone/fax. This will make your fax machine work as a phone and a fax. It will try to accept a fax machine when the answering machine comes on, your voice mail picks up, or (if you have neither) it will try to receive a fax after the first few rings.

2. Unplug it. You could even keep your fax machine unplugged until you absolutely need it. When you know that you should be receiving a fax you can plug it in and select fax under the receive mode. Make sure you have a few minutes to allow your fax machine to turn on properly and that it has time to boot up. In addition, you will need a moment to put some paper in the tray if it is not already there. Keeping it unplugged will prevent it from trying to accept faxes when people are trying to call you.

3. If you want to still have it plugged in all the time you could also choose the manual setting. Choose an alternate setting if you know when you will receive a fax and know that you will be ready for it prior to receiving it. The setting you should choose in this case is manual. When you are about to receive a fax you will need to be ready at the machine. When the phone rings you will need to press the receive button in order to properly receive the fax.

Tips & Warnings

• Tell others that you are using your phone with your fax machine so if they hear the sound of a fax trying to receive they know that it is not a big deal.