Troubleshooting

Enter the fax number correctly

The right format for national and international fax numbers

Tested solutions

Quick fix

Quick diagnosis

90% of errors

Incorrect formatting or missing country code

Use the format +49 (DE), +43 (AT), +41 (CH) without the leading zero in the area code.

Quick check

Check these points first

Country code included? (+49 for DE, +43 for AT, +41 for CH)
Leading zero of the area code omitted?
No spaces or special characters?
Complete number with all digits?

Possible causes and solutions

Click a cause to see the solution

1

Missing country code

Cause

With international faxes the country code is often forgotten

Symptoms

Fax is not sent or reaches the wrong recipient

Solution

Always include the country code: +49 (Germany), +43 (Austria), +41 (Switzerland), +1 (USA/Canada) etc.

2

Double zero in area code

Cause

When using the country code the leading zero of the area code is kept

Symptoms

Fax fails with 'Invalid number'

Solution

Omit the zero after the country code: +49 30 instead of +49 030 (Berlin)

3

Special characters in the number

Cause

Slashes, brackets or hyphens are interpreted incorrectly

Symptoms

Error message or wrong number dialled

Solution

Use digits and the plus sign only: +4930123456789

4

Confusion with phone number

Cause

Some lines have separate fax and phone numbers

Symptoms

Fax is not received

Solution

Make sure you have the fax number, not the phone number. If in doubt, ask.

How to avoid the issue

Always enter international numbers with + and country code, for example +49 for Germany.
Omit the zero after the country code: +49 30, not +49 030.
If in doubt, enter the number without formatting, only digits and the plus sign.

Entering the fax number correctly is the most important step for a successful delivery. Here is how to format fax numbers properly.

The international format

Always use the international format for maximum compatibility:

Plus sign: Starts with +
Country code: 49 for Germany, 43 for Austria, 41 for Switzerland
Area code: Without leading zero
Subscriber number: All digits

Example: +49 30 123456789 (Berlin)

Common country codes

+49 - Germany
+43 - Austria
+41 - Switzerland
+33 - France
+44 - United Kingdom
+1 - USA / Canada
+39 - Italy
+34 - Spain
+31 - Netherlands

Tips for error-free entry

How to avoid the most common mistakes:

Double-check: Read the number again
Copy & Paste: If possible, copy the number directly
Digits only: Avoid formatting characters
If unsure: Make a quick call to the number (not a fax)

Frequently asked questions

How do I enter a German fax number correctly?

For German numbers use the format: +49 [area code without leading zero] [subscriber number]

Examples:

Berlin: +49 30 123456789
Munich: +49 89 123456789
Hamburg: +49 40 123456789

Do I always need a country code?

Yes, we always recommend using the country code. The international format works worldwide and avoids ambiguity. Even for faxes within Germany, +49 is the safest choice.

What is the difference between a fax number and a phone number?

Many businesses have separate numbers for phone and fax. The fax number is directly connected to a fax machine. If you send a fax to a phone number, it will not arrive. Always check that it is the fax number.

Can FaxMonkey correct incorrect formats?

FaxMonkey checks the format of your input and warns you about obvious errors. We cannot detect typos in the actual number though, so always double-check the number.

Problem still not solved?

If none of the solutions worked, it may be due to a technical issue. Our support team will be happy to help.

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