Troubleshooting

Enter fax number correctly

The right format for national and international fax numbers

Tested solutions

Fixed quickly

Quick diagnosis

90% of errors

Incorrect formatting or missing country code

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

Quick check

Check these points first

Country code included? (+49 for DE, +43 for AT, +41 for CH)
Left out the leading zero of the area code?
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

For 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 the 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 misinterpreted

Symptoms

Error message or wrong number dialled

Solution

Use digits and the plus sign only: +4930123456789

4

Confusing it with a 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 prevent the issue

Always enter international numbers with + and country code (e.g. +49 for Germany).
Leave out the zero after the country code: +49 30, not +49 030.
If in doubt, enter the number without formatting, digits and the plus sign only.

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

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 and paste: if possible, copy the number directly
Digits only: avoid formatting characters
If unsure: place a brief 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 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 option.

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

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

Can FaxMonkey correct incorrect formats?

FaxMonkey checks the format of your input and warns you about obvious mistakes. However, we cannot detect typing errors in the actual number - so always double-check the number.

Problem still not solved?

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

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