How to Make a Fax Machine Work Without a Telephone

Faxes are sent through phone lines.

It is not necessary to have an actual telephone to make a fax machine work. A land-based telephone line, however, is necessary. Fax machines use regular telephone lines to send and receive faxes. You will need to have an active phone line with a phone number to enable your fax machine to work. Most fax machines have telephones built into them, but they are not necessary to transmit or receive faxes.

Instructions

1. Purchase and install a fax modem. These usually range in price from around $20-50. The fax machine uses the modem to transmit information via the phone line.

2. Plug your fax machine's power cord into an outlet or a surge protector with an outlet. Insert the other end of the cord into the slot with the matching shape on the back or side of the machine. Plug the phone cord into the slot designated for sending and receiving faxes on the fax machine and the other end of the phone cord into the phone jack on the wall.

3. Personalize your machine by setting up options such as date and time. Press the corresponding button for each option on the fax machine, and follow the instructions on the fax machine's display. Use the owner's manual to take advantage of the full range of personalization options your fax machine offers.

4. Place a fax in the tray, ensuring it is facing the correct way. Each machine's specifications for loading paper to be faxed is different. However, a diagram on the paper tray indicates the proper way to place your paper in the fax machine. Your fax machine is ready to use.

Tips & Warnings

• Call your phone company to ask for installation of a second telephone line if you want a line dedicated solely to your fax machine. This can prevent customers or others from calling your home or business and hearing the fax modem while you are sending a fax. They may assume they have the wrong number. Fax machines using the same line as a phone can also be a problem when you or someone else needs to use the fax machine or the phone and one or the other is being used.

• Faxes coming in will be received, as long as you have the fax machine turned on and hooked to the phone line.

References

• UCSB Office of Information Technology: Fax Lines

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish