How to Find Out If a Fax Modem Is Installed on My PC?

i Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

You can usually find out if your PC has a fax modem by looking for two side-by-side telephone jacks on the back or side of the computer. But before you can use the modem to send and receive fax documents, the modem must also be installed in Windows. In most cases Windows automatically detects fax modems and installs the correct drivers. You can view a list of any fax modems installed in Windows using the Device Manager application.

Click the “Search” option on the Charms bar and type in “device manager” (without the quotations). Select “Device Manager” from the results, and then click “Yes” to allow Windows to run the app.

Click the “View” menu in the Device Manager window and make sure “Devices By Type” is selected.

Look for a Modems category. If you don’t see the category, it means no modems are installed on your system.

Click the arrow next to the Modems category to display a detailed list of modems installed in your computer. Fax modems usually include the word “fax” in the device description.