Electronic fax is a reliable way to send and receive faxes digitally, but like any technology, it’s not immune to errors. Whether your fax isn’t sending, you’re missing incoming faxes, or you’re running into file attachment issues, these problems can slow you down.
This guide breaks down the most common issues and the efax troubleshooting steps to fix them quickly. Let’s get straight to the solutions.
Table of Contents
What Does It Mean When My Efax Isn’t Sending Faxes?
There are several reasons why you experience an efax error. Understanding the cause will help you resolve these issues quickly.
Why Is My Efax Not Going Through?
If your efax service is not sending faxes, it can be due to several factors:
1. Incorrect fax number format: Ensure you use the correct format, including the country code, if faxing internationally. For example, you can use (1) + (area code) + (fax number) for US faxes.
2. Recipient’s fax machine is offline or busy: If the recipient’s fax machine is turned off or experiencing issues, the fax will not go through.
3. Exceeded page or file size limits: Your efax service may reject files that exceed its size limits. For example, some only allow you to send large files up to 3GB. If sending faxes as email attachments, you are usually restricted to 20-25 MB. You can compress large documents or split them into smaller files to resolve this.
4. Unsupported file type: Most electronic fax solutions support only certain file types, such as PDF, DOC, DOCX, JPG, PNG, TXT, and TIFF.
5. Account limitations or subscription issues: If you’ve exceeded your monthly fax quota or your account is inactive due to billing issues, faxes may fail to send.
Why Did My Efax Fail with No Answer?
A No Answer on your efax service typically means the recipient’s fax machine is turned off or out of service. You should also double-check if the fax number is incorrect or inactive. The fax machine may also be set to manual receive mode, where the recipient must pick it up for the fax to go through.
Alternatively, there might be a temporary network issue that delayed the connection. When these incidents happen, you can wait a few minutes before resending the fax.
Further Reading: Fax Machine Common Troubleshooting Steps
How Can I Address File or Attachment Problems When Sending Electronic Fax?
Internet fax supports multiple standard formats, including PDF, DOC, DOCX, JPG, TIFF, PNG, and TXT. However, you should still avoid unsupported ones like ZIP or RAR. Here’s a table of commonly supported file formats:
| File Type | Format | Notes |
Most widely accepted format for faxing | ||
| Microsoft Word | .doc, .docx | Ensure no complex formatting or macros |
| Microsoft Excel | .xls, .xlsx | Some services may convert spreadsheets into images |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | .ppt, .pptx | May be converted to PDF or image before sending |
| Text Files | .txt, .rtf | Simple text-based documents work well |
| Images | .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .bmp | Ensure images are clear and high resolution |
| TIFF (Fax Standard) | .tif, .tiff | Commonly used for fax transmission |
| OpenDocument | .odt | Supported by some fax services, but not all |
| HTML/Web Pages | .html, .htm | May require conversion to PDF before faxing |
Tip: Convert documents to PDF or TIFF before faxing for better compatibility and formatting consistency.
If you see an efax error that says the file is unsupported, check if the extension is among the supported ones above. If your attachment is rejected due to large file size, you can compress high-resolution images or split large documents into two or more faxes.
Avoid sending any password-protected or encrypted files. If your file is encrypted, remove the protection first. You don’t have to worry about unauthorized parties accessing your documents since electronic faxes are already encrypted during transmission.
Finally, ensure that the file isn’t corrupt. You can try opening the document before faxing it to ensure it displays correctly.
How Can I Troubleshoot Efax Network and Connectivity Issues?
If you suspect network issues are preventing your fax from being sent, check your internet connection first. Ensure you have a stable connection before faxing, and restart your router as needed.
While uncommon, it’s also probable that the efax service is experiencing an outage. You can check their status page or contact customer support to verify their status.
Alternatively, you can use a different browser or device to access your efax login page and web portal. Clearing your browser cache also sometimes helps resolve the issue. If you’re sending a fax via email, check that the recipient’s address is properly formatted. The correct format should be: [faxnumber]@[efaxservice].com.
When Should I Contact Customer Support?
Most efax services provide a comprehensive Help Center where you can find countless support articles to address the most common efax errors. Some offer live chat and a 24/7 phone helpdesk. You can call them anytime if the basic troubleshooting steps haven’t resolved your concern.
Common cases that an efax customer service can help with include:
- Delays in fax delivery beyond normal processing times
- Repeated failed faxes despite correct formatting and file type
- Login or access problems such as forgotten passwords or account suspension
- Billing discrepancies or subscription problems
- Canceling your efax subscription
- Unusual error messages not listed in the troubleshooting guides
What Preventive Measures Can I Take to Avoid Future Efax Errors?
To enjoy a smooth efax experience, you should always double-check the recipient’s fax number before sending it. Errors in fax numbers are the typical culprits for failed and no-answer faxes.
Check that your files are within the supported formats and allowable size limits. Since you’re using digital faxing, ensure you have a stable internet connection, either a strong Wi-Fi signal or a wired connection. For enterprises, you should check that firewalls or security settings aren’t blocking efax services.
You should also check your junk/spam folder for any missed incoming faxes and ensure that your efax’s email address is in your email whitelist. Finally, keep your efax subscription active and regularly check your efax dashboard to avoid any account-related errors.
