Fax Service Defaults in Windows 11

Enables you to send and receive faxes, utilizing fax resources available on your computer or on the network.

The Fax service exists only in:

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Fax
Service name:Fax
Service type:own
Error control:normal
Object:NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\fxssvc.exe
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Fax
Privileges:
  • SeAssignPrimaryTokenPrivilege
  • SeAuditPrivilege
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege
  • SeCreateGlobalPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege
  • SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege

Default Behavior

Fax is a Win32 service. In Windows 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. When the Fax service is started, it logs on as NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService and running in its own process of fxssvc.exe. If Fax fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the Fax service startup failure.

Dependencies

Fax cannot be started, if the following services won't start:

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Fax

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Fax depends are configured by default and function properly. See the list of dependencies above.

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Copy the command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config Fax start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The Fax service is using the fxssvc.exe file that is located in the C:\Windows\system32 directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 11 installation media.