


This hardware-based 56k USB fax modem lets you access the internet through a dial-up service, when broadband connections are not available. The compact 56k modem is powered through USB, making it a perfect accessory to have on hand when you’re traveling with your laptop or need to have a backup connection to the internet for your desktop.
Reliable and versatile internet connectivity
You can use this versatile USB modem as a backup internet connection, for traveling to remote locations, or in rural areas where broadband connections are not available. It supports transfer rates up to 56Kbps (data) and 14.4Kbps (fax) and is compatible with the latest transmission standards (V.92, V.90, and so on).
The controller-based modem uses on-chip processing to deliver dial-up access without taxing your computer’s performance, saving your system’s resources and minimizing the load on the CPU.
Send and receive faxes from your computer
The USB modem also enables your laptop or desktop computer to function like a fax machine, capable of sending and receiving faxes. It supports the latest fax transmission modes, providing fax transfer rates at 14.4Kbps.
Easy portability
With a compact and lightweight design, the USB modem is portable, tucking easily into your laptop bag or travel case. It’s powered through the USB host connection, making it fast and easy to connect without requiring an external power adapter.
The USB56KEMH2 is backed by a StarTech.
DIAL-UP & FAX SUPPORT: Hardware-based USB 2.0 Fax modem adds data and fax functionality to your computer / laptop via USB without putting additional load on your CPU; For faxing, rural internet access, security systems, POS credit authorization
VOICE AND CALLER ID SUPPORT: Make and receive phone calls through your desktop / laptop computer; This portable USB modem supports Caller ID functionality and is compatible with most dial-up ISP (Internet Service Provider) networks
DATA/FAX MODE SUPPORT: Data: V.92, V.90, V.34, V.32bis, V.32, V.22bis, V.22, V.23, V.21 Bell 212A & Bell 103; Fax: V.17, V.29, V.27, V.21 Ch 2, EIA/TIA 578 Class 1 and T.31 Fax Class 1.0; DTMF support
TECH SPECS: External 56K Modem; Data Fax; USB Type A; 1 x RJ11 Telephone Jack; 56 Kbps Down, 33.6 Kbps Up Data; 14.4 Kbps Fax V.92; V.44 Compression; Conexant CX93010-21Z; USB Powered; TAA Compliant
COMPATIBILITY: Drivers available for Windows, Windows Server, macOS (10.9 to 12.x) and Linux (kernel 3.16 and up); Windows Drivers available for download
13 reviews for StarTech.com 56K USB Dial-up & Fax Modem – V.92, External – Hardware Based USB Modem – Transfer rates up to 56Kbps (data) / 14.4Kbps (fax)
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$6.99

Webster K Olmstead –
Windows 11 security problem fix
Just a heads up! This modem has always worked great, but in June of 2025, it stopped working with a Windows 11 security problem. I did the optional Windows update with no luck. I just fixed it by moving the USB plug from a USB hub to an empty USB on the PC. Works great again!!!
Polar Bear –
Works with MacOS 10.8.5 (Mountain Lion)
The documentation is a bit sketchy one location says it works for 10.6 and below, other location says it works for 10.9 through 10.12. I had 10.8.5 installed on an old Mac and it just works fine.Note – it will not appear in the list of printers when you open the printer setup – click the add printer and it will show up there as “fax”.I tested it with dropbox service (hellofax) and the resolution is quite high – both ways.The Mac can also receive faxes, save them, print them or email them automatically.One thing that is missing – it does not generates and official receipt as paper fax machines do (but there is a list of sent faxes if you click the fax “printer” icon (with the print queue etc.)Overall create value for Money.I can also see it appearing as /dev/ttyACM0 dialout without installing any drivers (Ububtu 22.04) but have tested it yet – would also be nice to see if it works on the Raspberry PiNote – it will not work with IP phone – but it does work with Vonage phone to IP adapter (no sure if they still make those) as it emulates analog phone, and does not filter out too much of the signal — speed may be affected though.
B. Burch –
Worked 1 time. Also, incompatible with Windows 11 if you want to enable Memory Integrity
Sent one fax. All attempts beyond that fail and says, “Fatal Error”. Outdated drivers prevent enabling Memory Integrity in Windows 11, leaving vulnerabilities to malicious code. Beyond the return window, so throwing it in the trash where it belongs. Do not buy.
Colin –
Dreampi Works! (Dreamcast and Raspberry Pi 4)
Dreampi compatible, I used a Pi 4 and built my own line voltage inducer cable. Now I’m playing Quake on a Dreamcast online.
wideglide_07 –
wont work with windows 11
will not work with windows 11 because microsoft dropped fax and modem application in 11. Did get it to work with a windows 7 machine.
Eric Nordin –
Install Windows 8 drivers for use with a Windows 10 computer
I purchased this device in order to be able to send FAXs securely and w/o charge or subscription. Installation was easy once I figured out which driver to install on my wife’s Windows 10 computer. Select “Windows 8” from the menu offerings on the installation utility (which should auto-run from the install CD that comes with the unit).Once the drivers were installed, Windows seemed to know how to connect to the device. We had a ten page PDF document that we needed to FAX. While viewing the document inside the PDF viewer, I just selected “File,” “Print” and then selected “Fax” from the available printers. A new dialog box popped up where I was able to enter the telephone number to send the fax to. I entered the number (digits only, no separating dashes) and pressed the “Send” button in the dialog box. After a few seconds a new box appeared on the screen where progress of the call and fax transmission was shown. The LEDs on the device also light up and the “Data” LED flashes to indicate when data is being transmitted.I saw it mentioned in some reviews that the sound of the handshake and/or the FAX transmission can be heard through the computer’s speaker(s). This does not seem to be the case for our installation, or at least not so far. I suppose it’s possible that I overlooked a setting to enable sound somewhere in the setup but, now that I know the thing works, I’m not really interested in hearing this anyway.I can’t comment on the dial-up modem capability of this unit because I no longer subscribe to any dial-up provider but this is a nice compact little device that would be easy to include in most laptop or netbook carry bags and it seems to work just fine for the purpose of sending documents by way of FAX and an analog telephone line. I also can’t comment (at least not so far) on this device’s capability of receiving FAXs. It’s doubtful we will ever need to use it for that purpose so that’s not something I’m interested in exploring at this time. If I ever have occassion to use it (or attempt to us it) for that purpose, I might post an update explaining how that went.I knock off one star because the installation program didn’t show a driver selection for Windows 10 and the printed instructions that came with the device didn’t explain which driver to select when installing on a Windows 10 machine either. It was only after visiting the support page on the StarTech website and seeing a driver there listed as “Windows 8/10” that I realized I should try selecting the Windows 8 driver in the install program. Had I not bothered to check further, I might have concluded from the supplied documentation and installer package options, that this device would not work with Windows 10 and would have returned it. StarTech would do well to update their install program or at least the printed instructions that they are packaging with this device.I hope this review is helpful.
Karen W –
Easy to use
Bought this little fax modem in August of 2022 but didn’t hook it up until May of 2023. Easy hook-up. Phone cable in one end, the computer in the other. Though it comes with a disk of drivers, it wasn’t required for my Windows 10 and 11 devices. They automatically recognized the modem. This is great as most newer computers do not have disk drives. Startech should update the enclosed Quick start guide.The modem worked on my Windows 10 devices, one being a Tablet. Not so lucky with Windows 11. I emailed Startech technical support and in a couple of days, received a reply with a list of suggestions of things to try. Once I had made contact with a tech guy, he responded overnight to my questions. I found their technical support was great to work with. It ended up the issue was not the Startech modem and Windows 11. It was Windows 11 and Windows Fax and Scan software compatibility.As for the modem, it’s small, appears well designed/made and “take it with you” compact. I would definitely purchase it again.For others having Windows 11 issues, before sending it back as defective, trying running Fax and Scan as Administrator. Solved my problems.
CMM7MMC –
super easy set-up and install – software works like a charm
super easy set-up and install – software works like a charm
Mister Bee –
Driver install failure window 10Ended up in the rubbish bin
Emile Farah –
Came on time. Excellent bran. Worked fine and easy with Fax talk Software.It is Plug and Play. You do not need to install its driver from the CD which came with it
OniKuno –
The price maybe high but you also get a robust customer service.You can use this to work on a dreampi set up straight out of the box without needing to update to the latest firmware, watch out for a sticker with rev 2, and you’re good to go.Despite having the modem and raspberry pi, you still need a line voltage inducer. To get your dreamcast online.
Tapsy –
Super einfach einzurichten, unter Windows 10 getestet!
Vmirv0games –
Non ero sicuro che una tecnologia così obsoleta e tuttora utilizzata fosse compatibile con Windows 11; occorre installare una componente aggiuntiva da facoltativi: fax e scanner. Dopo di che sarà possibile inviare e ricevere fax con il computer