How to Troubleshoot and Restart a Fax Server in Windows Server 2019

If you’re experiencing issues with your fax server in Windows Server 2019, such as the fax service not starting automatically on reboot or faxes getting stuck in the queue, you may need to troubleshoot and restart the fax server. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to diagnose and resolve common fax server problems, as well as how to properly restart the fax service to get your faxing back up and running.

Diagnosing Fax Server Issues
Before restarting the fax server, it’s important to identify the root cause of the problem. Here are some steps to diagnose common fax server issues:

Check the Fax Service Status

Open the Services management console by pressing the Windows key R, typing “services.msc”, and pressing Enter
Locate the “Fax” service in the list
Check the “Status” column to see if the service is running
If the service is stopped, right-click on it and select “Start” to start the service

Review the Fax Service Event Log

Open the Event Viewer by pressing the Windows key R, typing “eventvwr.msc”, and pressing Enter
Navigate to “Windows Logs” > “Application” in the left pane
Look for any errors or warnings related to the “Fax” service
Double-click on an event to view more details about the error

Inspect the Fax Queue

Open the Fax Service Manager by pressing the Windows key R, typing “fxsadmin.exe”, and pressing Enter
In the left pane, expand “Fax” and select “Outgoing Queues”
Check if there are any stuck or failed faxes in the queue
If a fax is stuck, you can try canceling it by right-clicking on it and selecting “Cancel”
Restarting the Fax Service
If the fax service is not starting automatically or you’ve made configuration changes, you may need to restart the service. Here’s how to do it:

Using the Services Management Console

Open the Services management console by pressing the Windows key R, typing “services.msc”, and pressing Enter
Locate the “Fax” service in the list
Right-click on the “Fax” service and select “Stop” to stop the service
Wait a few seconds, then right-click on the “Fax” service again and select “Start” to restart the service

Using the Fax Service Manager

Open the Fax Service Manager by pressing the Windows key R, typing “fxsadmin.exe”, and pressing Enter
In the left pane, right-click on “Fax” and select “Stop” to stop the service
Wait a few seconds, then right-click on “Fax” again and select “Start” to restart the service
Advanced Troubleshooting Steps
If restarting the fax service doesn’t resolve the issue, you may need to try some more advanced troubleshooting steps:

Check for Dependency Service Failures

Open the Services management console by pressing the Windows key R, typing “services.msc”, and pressing Enter
Locate the “Fax” service in the list
Right-click on the “Fax” service and select “Properties”
Click on the “Dependencies” tab to see if any other services are required for the “Fax” service to run
If a dependency service is stopped or failing, start or troubleshoot that service first

Clear the Fax Queue Manually

Open File Explorer and navigate to “C:\Windows\System32\spool\Fax”
Delete all files in this folder to clear the fax queue
Restart the “Fax” service and see if the issue is resolved

Reinstall the Fax Server Role

Open the Server Manager by pressing the Windows key R, typing “servermanager.exe”, and pressing Enter
Click on “Manage” in the top right corner and select “Remove Roles and Features”
Follow the wizard to remove the “Fax Server” role
Once the role is removed, follow the wizard again to add the “Fax Server” role back
Restart the server and see if the issue is resolved
By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve most common fax server issues in Windows Server 2019. If you’re still experiencing problems after trying these troubleshooting steps, it’s recommended to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.