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How to Enable Windows Fax and Scan in Windows 10

Huda Qurayshi Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to locate, enable, and use the Windows Fax and Scan application, but is encountering missing features or limitations due to internet faxing capabilities.

How to Enable Windows Fax and Scan in Windows 10

Product: Windows 10
Device & OS: Windows 10
Scenario: Setting up a computer to send faxes or scan documents using the native Windows application without a traditional phone line.
Observed behavior: The Windows Fax and Scan application does not appear in the system, or it fails to send faxes because the computer lacks a physical fax modem and an analog telephone connection.

Before you start

Verify that your computer is equipped with a built-in or external USB fax modem and is connected to an active analog telephone line, as Windows 10 cannot natively send faxes over a standard internet connection.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable Windows Fax and Scan via Windows Features

If the application is completely missing from your computer, it may be disabled in your core Windows settings and needs to be manually turned on.

Windows 10 includes Fax and Scan as an optional feature. System updates or custom Windows installations might disable this feature by default to save resources.

Open Windows Features

Click the Start menu, type 'Turn Windows features on or off' into the search bar, and press Enter to open the Windows Features dialog.

Locate Print and Document Services

Scroll down the list of features and click the plus (+) icon next to 'Print and Document Services' to expand the folder.

Enable the Feature

Check the box next to 'Windows Fax and Scan', then click 'OK'. Wait a few moments for Windows to download and apply the necessary files.

Restart Your Computer

If prompted by the system, restart your Windows 10 computer to finalize the installation of the Fax and Scan feature.

Enable Windows Fax and Scan via Windows Features

Hardware Limitations: Enabling the software makes the application visible, but you still need a compatible physical fax modem hardware and a landline to actually send or receive traditional faxes.

Solution 2

Scan Documents and Send via Email (Alternative)

If you do not have a fax modem or a compatible landline, scanning your documents to a PDF and emailing them is the most reliable and widely accepted alternative.

Solution 3

Use an Online Fax Service

Send faxes over the internet without needing a landline or fax modem by utilizing a third-party digital fax service.

Manage Scanned Documents with WPS Office

Scan, Edit, and Share PDFs Easily with WPS Office

If you are moving away from traditional faxing, WPS Office provides a powerful PDF toolkit to scan documents directly, edit them, and securely share them via email—acting as a modern alternative to Windows Fax and Scan.

1. Open WPS PDF: Launch WPS Office on your computer and select the 'PDF' tab from the main workspace to open the PDF editor.
2. Import or Scan Your Document: Click on 'Picture to PDF' or use the scanner integration to digitize your physical documents directly into the software.
3. Edit and Annotate: Use the built-in editing tools to add signatures, highlight text, or make necessary adjustments to the scanned document.
4. Share via Email: Click the 'Share' or 'Email' button located in the top toolbar to automatically attach the PDF to a new email message for your recipient.

Seamless compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and standard PDF formats.Built-in PDF tools to convert scanned images into editable text using OCR.Direct 'Share via Email' feature for rapid document delivery.Completely free, lightweight, and highly optimized for Windows 10.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Windows Fax and Scan missing from my Windows 10 computer?

It may be disabled in your optional Windows Features. You can enable it by searching for 'Turn Windows features on or off' in the Start menu, expanding the 'Print and Document Services' folder, and checking the box for 'Windows Fax and Scan'.

Can I send a fax over the internet using Windows Fax and Scan?

No, the native Windows Fax and Scan application strictly requires a physical fax modem and an analog telephone line. To send faxes over the internet, you must use a third-party online fax portal or software.

Does my digital home phone line work for faxing?

Often, no. While traditional analog landlines work perfectly, many modern home phone setups like VoIP (Voice over IP) or digital cable phone services do not reliably support the analog audio signals required for faxing without specialized adapters.

What is the most practical alternative to sending a fax?

The most common and cost-effective alternative is scanning your document into a PDF format using a desktop scanner or a mobile scanning app, and then sending that PDF as an attachment via email.

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