How to Resend a Fax

Steps to resend a failed or unsuccessful fax

If your fax failed or you need to send it again, here’s what you need to know about PayPerFax’s retry system and how to resubmit.

One-Click Resubmit

PayPerFax now offers One-Click Resubmit - easily resend any fax within 72 hours without re-entering details.

After sending a fax (whether it succeeds or fails), you’ll find a resubmit link on the confirmation page and in the confirmation email.

Clicking this link takes you to a pre-populated fax form with all your previous details:

• Destination fax number
• Your email address
• Attached documents
• Cover page (if used)

You can edit any of these before resubmitting - update the document, change the cover page, or correct the fax number.

Use cases for One-Click Resubmit:

• Fax failed after 3 automatic attempts
• Recipient asks you to resend
• Need to correct the fax number or update the document
• Send the same fax to a different recipient
• Recipient lost a successfully delivered fax

The resubmit link expires after 72 hours. After that, you’ll need to start a new fax from scratch.

Automatic retry system

PayPerFax automatically attempts to send your fax up to 3 times before marking it as failed.

1. First attempt

   Immediately when you submit and pay

2. Second attempt

   A few minutes later if first attempt fails

3. Third attempt

   A few minutes after second attempt if still failing

You don’t need to do anything - these retries happen automatically.

Why automatic retries?

Common temporary failures that retries can solve:

• Destination fax line busy
• Temporary line quality issues
• Fax machine temporarily offline (paper jam, refilling)
• Momentary connection problems

You’re only charged once, even if it takes multiple attempts to succeed.

If fax fails after 3 attempts

When a fax fails after all automatic attempts, you have two options:

One-Click Resubmit

Use the resubmit link in your failure email or confirmation page (available for 72 hours)

Start Fresh

Begin a new fax at fax.payperfax.com if the link has expired

Before resubmitting

1. Check the failure reason

   Your failure notification email explains why it failed:

   • Line busy: Destination was constantly busy
   • No answer: Fax machine didn’t pick up
   • Transmission error: Connection dropped during sending

   This helps you address the problem before retrying.

2. Wait before retrying

   Give it some time:

   • Line busy: Wait 15-30 minutes
   • No answer: Verify machine is on, then retry
   • Transmission error: Wait a few minutes and try again

   Trying immediately may hit the same problem. Brief waiting often helps.

3. Verify fax number

   Double-check:

   • Correct country selected
   • Area code included
   • No extra digits or missing numbers
   • It’s actually a fax line (not voice phone)

   Contact recipient to confirm the number if uncertain.

4. Resubmit

   Click the resubmit link from your email or confirmation page. Your details will be pre-filled - review, make any changes needed, and pay.

Common failure reasons and solutions

Line busy

Problem: Destination fax line is occupied

Solutions:

• Try during off-peak hours
• Wait 15-30 minutes
• Ask recipient if they’re receiving high fax volume
• Verify you have the correct fax line (not main phone)

No answer

Problem: Fax machine not answering

Solutions:

• Confirm fax machine is powered on
• Verify number is correct
• Try during business hours
• Check if it’s a dedicated fax line
• Ask recipient to verify their fax machine status

Transmission error

Problem: Connection interrupted during sending

Solutions:

• Wait a few minutes and retry
• Try with fewer pages to test
• Ask recipient to check their fax machine (paper, toner, errors)
• Verify line quality with recipient
• Consider simplifying document (smaller file)

Invalid number

Problem: Number format incorrect or doesn’t exist

Solutions:

• Verify country selection
• Confirm area code is included
• Check for typos
• Get number directly from recipient
• Ensure it’s a fax number, not voice line

No charge for failed faxes

You won’t be charged for failed faxes.

When a fax fails:

• The authorization hold is released
• No permanent charge appears
• You can try again without having paid for the failure

See Pricing & Payment for details.

Tips for successful resending

1. Address the root cause

Don’t just blindly resend. Figure out why it failed:

• Contact the recipient
• Verify the fax number
• Check their machine status
• Consider timing (business hours)

2. Improve your document

If there were transmission errors:

• Reduce file size
• Simplify complex pages
• Split large faxes into smaller ones
• Ensure high contrast (black on white)

3. Use a better cover page

Include on your cover page:

• “RESEND - Previous attempt failed”
• Your contact info in case of issues
• Specific recipient name/department
• Urgency level if time-sensitive

4. Try different timing

• Avoid peak business hours
• Try early morning or late afternoon
• For international faxes, consider recipient’s time zone
• Avoid lunch hours or shift changes

Alternative options

If faxing repeatedly fails:

Contact the recipient

• Call to troubleshoot together
• Verify their fax machine is working
• Ask them to send a test fax to you
• Coordinate timing for your next attempt

Try a different fax number

• Ask if they have an alternative fax line
• Try their main office line if previously using direct fax
• Some locations have multiple fax machines

Use email instead

If acceptable for your purpose:

• Send PDF via email
• Use secure file sharing
• Electronic signature services
• Confirm they’ll accept non-fax delivery

Some legal/medical/government processes specifically require fax. Verify email is acceptable before switching.

Physical mail

As a last resort:

• Print and mail via post
• Use certified mail if proof needed
• Courier service for urgent documents

Tracking your resubmission

Each fax submission is independent:

• New tracking page
• New transaction ID
• New confirmation email
• Separate from previous attempt

Tip: Keep the tracking URL from each attempt to compare results.

When to contact support

Contact PayPerFax support if:

• Fax consistently fails to the same number (multiple resend attempts)
• Error message is unclear or technical
• Suspecting a system issue on PayPerFax side
• Need help interpreting failure reasons
• Urgent fax and need guidance

Support hours: Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00 GMT

Summary

1. PayPerFax tries 3 times automatically

   No action needed during automatic retries

2. If all 3 fail, use One-Click Resubmit

   Click the resubmit link in your email or confirmation page (valid for 72 hours)

3. You weren't charged for the failure

   Safe to try again without losing money

4. Address the failure reason before resubmitting

   Wait, verify number, contact recipient

5. Review and pay

   Your details are pre-filled - just confirm and pay

Related topics

Common Issues

Troubleshoot fax failures

Pricing & Payment

Why you won’t be charged for failures

How It Works

Understanding retry attempts

Step-by-Step Guide

Complete sending instructions