How to Fax From a Printer Without a Phone Line

The traditional fax machine is dead—and good riddance. Today, you can send faxes entirely over the internet using either an online fax service or a WiFi printer with internet fax features. No phone line required.

Method 1: Using an Online Fax Service

Online fax services let you send faxes from any device—computer, phone, or tablet—without connecting your printer to a phone line. The service converts your document to fax format and transmits it over the internet to the recipient’s fax machine or fax number.

a detailed workflow infographic showing how online faxing works without a phone line, from a user uploading a document on a computer, phone, or tablet, to the cloud fax service converting the file to fax format, to the recipient receiving it on a fax machine or fax number — How Online Faxing Works

Here’s how it works:

Choose an online fax service (5 minutes): Popular options include eFax, Fax.Plus, and Dropbox Fax. Most offer free trials or free tiers—Fax.Plus gives you 10 pages total, Dropbox Fax offers 5 pages free. If you only need to send one fax, ThirtyFax lets you send 1 fax (up to 5 pages) free with no account required.
Sign up or start sending: Most services require creating an account. The exception: ThirtyFax and FaxZero let you send immediately without signing up, though FaxZero adds branding to your cover page on free faxes.
Upload your document: Click “Send Fax” and upload the file you want to send. PDF works best for preserving formatting. Some services let you scan directly from your phone’s camera.
Enter the recipient’s fax number: Type the 10-digit fax number (or international format if sending abroad). Most services auto-format as you type.
Send and confirm delivery: Hit send. You’ll get a delivery confirmation by email—usually within 5-10 minutes. Keep this confirmation for your records.

Pro tip: Some online services can’t send to VoIP numbers, so if your fax fails to deliver, ask the recipient if they’re using a VoIP-based fax line.

Service	Best For	Cost	Free Option
ThirtyFax	One-time faxing	€4.99 (up to 20 pages)	Yes (1 fax, 5 pages)
Fax.Plus	Regular faxing, modern UI	$8.99/mo (200 pages)	Yes (10 pages total)
Dropbox Fax	Dropbox users	$0.99/fax (up to 10 pages)	Yes (5 pages)
eFax	Businesses needing HIPAA	$18.99/mo (170 pages)	14-day trial

Method 2: Using a WiFi-Enabled Printer With Internet Fax

Some business-class multifunction printers have built-in internet fax capabilities—often called I-Fax, eFax, or Internet FAX (SMTP). These printers send faxes over your WiFi network without needing a phone line.

a step-by-step infographic showing how to use a WiFi-enabled printer with internet fax capability in six stages: verify the printer supports Internet Fax or I-Fax, connect the printer to WiFi, configure SMTP and POP3 email server settings, scan the document, enter the recipient's fax number or email address, and send with confirmation — How To Use Internet Fax On A Printer

Here’s the setup:

Verify your printer supports internet fax (5 minutes): Check your printer’s manual or settings menu for “Internet Fax,” “I-Fax,” or “Email to Fax.” Most consumer printers don’t have this feature—it’s typically found on business models like Canon’s imageCLASS series or Brother multifunction printers.
Connect your printer to WiFi: Follow your printer’s WiFi setup process. This is usually under Network or Wireless settings on the printer’s display panel.
Configure internet fax settings (10-20 minutes): This is the technical part. You’ll need to enter your email server’s SMTP and POP3 settings—essentially teaching your printer how to send and receive email-based faxes. Your IT department or email provider can give you these details.
Scan your document: Place your document in the printer’s scanner or auto-feeder, just like you would for a regular scan or copy.
Enter recipient information: On the printer’s display, select the fax or I-Fax option, then enter the recipient’s fax number or email address (depending on your setup).
Send and confirm: Hit send. Depending on your printer, you’ll get confirmation on the display screen, via email, or both.

Printer brands with internet fax support:

Canon imageCLASS multifunction printers (MF series)
Brother MFC and DCP business models
Epson WorkForce Pro series
HP OfficeJet Pro models (via HP’s Mobile Fax app)

The catch: internet fax on printers is usually limited to business-class models and requires technical setup most consumers won’t want to deal with.

Comparison: Which Method Should You Choose?

a side-by-side comparison infographic of two ways to fax without a phone line — Online Fax Methods Comparison

Factor	Online Fax Service	WiFi Printer Internet Fax
Setup complexity	Very easy (5 minutes)	Technical (requires SMTP/POP3 config)
Cost	€5-25/month or pay-per-fax	Hardware cost ($300-800 printer)
Works with existing printer	Yes, any printer	No, need compatible model
Best for	Occasional faxing, one-off documents	Offices with regular fax volume
Can receive faxes	Yes (on paid plans)	Yes (if configured)

Here’s my recommendation: If you’re sending fewer than 10 faxes per month, use an online service. ThirtyFax is perfect for one-time faxing—no subscription, no account. If you fax occasionally but regularly, Fax.Plus or Dropbox Fax make more sense.

If you’re a business sending 50+ faxes per month and you already have a compatible printer, internet fax might save you money long-term. But be ready for the setup headache.

a decision-tree infographic that helps someone choose the right faxing method without a phone line — Choosing The Right Fax Method

Conclusion

Faxing without a phone line is not only possible—it’s often easier than the old phone-line method. Online fax services work with any printer and require zero technical setup, making them the smart choice for most people. WiFi-enabled printers with internet fax capability exist, but they’re typically business-class models that require SMTP configuration.

For one-time faxing, ThirtyFax is the fastest option—no account, no subscription, just send. For regular business faxing, Fax.Plus or eFax make more sense. Choose based on how often you fax and whether you already own compatible hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Fax From My Printer Over the Internet?

Yes, but only if your printer has internet fax capability or you use an online fax service. Most consumer printers require a traditional phone line for their built-in fax features. The workaround is either using an online service that works with any printer, or buying a business-class multifunction printer with I-Fax or SMTP-based fax support—like Canon’s imageCLASS or Brother’s MFC models.

Can I Fax From My Printer Using WiFi?

Yes, but WiFi alone isn’t enough. You need either an online fax service (which uses WiFi to upload your document) or a printer with built-in internet fax capability. Most consumer printers with WiFi still require a phone line for their fax hardware to work. HP explicitly states that fax-capable printers typically need a landline unless you’re using a separate service like HP’s Mobile Fax app.

Written by

Bernard Bado

I created ThirtyFax after needing to send a single fax and refusing to pay for a monthly subscription to do it. I write here about faxing, document workflows, and the surprisingly stubborn role fax still plays in modern business.

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