Print this pagePrint this page

Windows 8 and 8.1 Windows Fax and Scan issue update


28 Oct 2014, 11:30 AM
Windows 8 and 8.1 Windows Fax and Scan issue update FXST30.dll located in c:\windows\system32 is the problem. Pls download the correct version below and replace it.



  1. Navigate to c:\windows\system32 on the computer with the problem and find the FXST30.dll file. Right click on the file and choose properties. Go to the security tab and then click on advanced. Click on the “Change” button next to the owner and change the owner from “TrustedInstaller” to the administrator account you are using to make these changes.
  2. Back in Windows explorer rename the file to “FXST30-original.dll”.
  3. Copy FXST30.dll you downloaded and paste it into the system32 folder of your computer. The file size is different so you could tell whether you have replaced the Win 8 file w/ the Win 7 one or not.
  4. Once the new file is in place, FAX should work normally.

Be aware if you run the system file checker (SFC), the bad file will be restored, so keep the W7 DLL on hand.
http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/27582-fax-service-broken.html

If you can't change ownership using the above method, an easy way to achieve that is to download the following which will create a right-click "take ownership" context menu item. Though the site offers this for "Vista" it's good for Win 8.1 8 as well.
Add "Take Ownership" to Explorer Right-Click Menu, http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/add-take-ownership-to-explorer-right-click-menu-in-vista/

"take ownership" (have permission) of the file.
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-files/how-to-delete-files-protected-by-trusted-installer/e62adea1-1b82-4770-8d6c-ddd9bf4fb85c


**Pls connect the modem to an USB 2.0 port. (Not USB 3.0 since some of the USB 3.0 chipsets are not 100% USB 2.0 backward compatible when using modem)

**Pls shut down the fax service so that the DLL is not in use. The service is called “Fax” located at  Task Manager under Services.

1/22/15 Successfully helping customer J'Marinde S. (651) xxx-xxxx getting Windows Fax and Scan to send and receive fax after replaced the correct version (Win 8.1 64-bit) of FXST30.dll file to the designated folder C:\Windows\System32\

12/12/14 Successfully helping customer William W. (407) xxx-xxxx getting Windows Fax and Scan to send and receive fax after replaced the correct version of FXST30.dll file to the designated folder C:\Windows\System32\

11/20/14 Successfully helping customer Terry B. (513) xxx-xxxx getting Windows Fax and Scan to send and receive fax after replaced the correct version of FXST30.dll file to the designated folder C:\Windows\System32\

11/12/14 Successfully helping customer Norman C. (401) xxx-xxxx getting Windows Fax and Scan to send and receive fax after replaced the correct version of FXST30.dll file to the designated folder C:\Windows\System32\

10/28/14 Successfully helping customer Kirit P. (804) xxx-xxxx getting Windows Fax and Scan to send and receive fax after plugging the H50113 Ext. USB modem directly to the front USB 2.0 port and replaced the FXST30.dll file into the System32 folder.

Related articles

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/57611007-4d60-4fe6-b81d-4b2c809e3a2a/81-broke-my-windows-fax

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Fax-and-Scan-Tools-No-Longer-Working-After-Windows-8-1-Update-410171.shtml

http://blogs.msmvps.com/mikehall/2013/12/30/windows-8-1-and-fax/

http://www.tachytelic.net/2014/05/unable-receive-faxes-windows-server-2012-r2/