Troubleshooting

Enter fax number correctly

The correct format for domestic and international fax numbers

Tested solutions

Quickly resolved

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 items 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 view the solution

1

Missing country code

Cause

For international faxes, the country code is often omitted

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 retained

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, parentheses, or hyphens are interpreted incorrectly

Symptoms

Error message or dialed the wrong number

Solution

Use only digits and the plus sign: +4930123456789

4

Confusion with telephone number

Cause

Some lines have separate fax and telephone numbers

Symptoms

Fax is not received

Solution

Make sure you have the fax number, not the telephone number. If unsure, ask.

How to prevent the issue

Always enter international numbers with + and country code (e.g., +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 successful delivery. Here you will learn 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

Here is 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: Call the number briefly (no fax)

Frequently asked questions

How do I correctly enter a German fax number?

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 telephone number?

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

Can FaxMonkey correct invalid formats?

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

Problem still not solved?

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

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