Windows Fax and Scan not working in Windows 11 computer. An error message appear when trying to send a fax.

Question

The Geek Squad installed Windows Fax and Scan in my new Windows 11 computer. However when I try to send a fax, an error message always pops up. Although Windows Fax and Scan does appear as an icon in my Task Bar and seems to have been properly installed, it does not show up in my list of installed programs. Is there a fix for this problem or should I simply reinstall,Windows Fax and Scan? If so, what is the procedure for reinstalling Windows Fax and Scan?

Answer 1

Hello Martian Conqueror

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A

Thank you for your feedback. If the software still does not work after being installed by a professional (such as Geek Squad), here are some troubleshooting solutions:

1. Press the Windows logo key + R key on your keyboard to open the “Run” dialog box.

Type optionalfeatures.exe and press Enter. This will open the “Windows Features” panel directly.

In the pop-up window, scroll down, find and expand “Print and Document Services” (Print and Document Services).

In the expanded list, locate “Windows Fax and Scan” (Windows Fax and Scan) and uncheck the checkbox next to it.

Click “OK.” Windows will begin uninstalling this feature, which may take a minute or two.

Once complete, the system may prompt you to restart your computer. Be sure to restart your computer. This step is very important to ensure that the feature is completely removed.

2. After restarting your computer, follow steps 1 and 2 above again to open the “Windows Features” panel.

Locate and expand “Print and Document Services” again.

Re-check the checkbox next to “Windows Fax and Scan.”

Click “OK.” Windows will begin reinstalling this feature.

After installation is complete, restart your computer again.

After completing the above steps, the Windows Fax and Scan feature has been completely reset and reinstalled. You can now try opening it again and sending a fax.

What if it still doesn't work after reinstallation?

If the issue persists and the error message still appears, the problem may not be with the “Fax and Scan” software itself, but with its dependencies, typically hardware or drivers.

Check the Fax Modem

To send a fax, your computer must be connected to a physical fax modem, which must be connected to a phone line. This can be an internal modem or an external USB device.

Please confirm that your new computer does indeed have a fax modem installed. You can open “Device Manager” (press Win+X, then select “Device Manager”) to check if there is a “Modems” category and if there are any devices listed below it.

Check Drivers

If the modem is visible in Device Manager, ensure that its driver is designed for Windows 11 and is correctly installed. You can right-click the device and select “Update Driver.”

Reconfigure the Fax Account

After reinstallation, you may need to reconfigure your fax account. Open “Windows Fax and Scan,” click ‘Tools’ on the menu bar, then select “Fax Accounts.” Follow the wizard to connect to your modem.

If the issue persists, the problem is likely with the hardware (missing modem) or its driver.

I look forward to your feedback.

Best Regards, 

Ami | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist