Google Voice Not Working: 10 Common Issues (2024)

Although Google Voice is popular, it has some limitations that users complain about. These issues can disrupt workflow and overall business productivity. To better understand these limitations, it's important to know how Google Voice works and why certain aspects might affect daily operations.

Most of the users of Google Voice face the problem of incoming calls not ringing. If your device is not ringing, you will find a long list of missed calls and voicemails. These problems negatively affect businesses by generating low customer satisfaction and bad customer relationships.

Reasons:

• Sound setting: Your device is in silent mode.
• App Setting: Your app is in do not disturb mode, and the call setting turns off on Google Voice.

Solutions:

• Check sound setting: If it's in silent mode, switch to sound mode from the phone setting in the Sound section.
• Check for do not disturb: In the app setting, search for the "do not disturb" mode; if you've toggled it on, make it off.
• My device: Select the preferred device for the calls (Mobile or Web). Make sure you turn on the button for all the devices.

Receiving a “Failure to Send Messages” issue on Google Voice can disrupt effective communication and frustrate users. It also creates bad user experiences and fear of losing customers.

Reasons:

• Phone setting: Permission settings for apps with sound, storage, messages, and calls are not granted (Not Allowed).
• Bad network connectivity: The device is connected with a Limited Network (Wi-Fi) or low network signal (or no network signal).
  

Solutions:

• Check for app permissions: Go to the phone settings and then Google Voice app settings, search for permissions, and allow permissions (audio, storage, video, call, message).
• Check network connectivity: Check for network connectivity through the Wi-Fi settings and ensure your device is connected to a stable network. If not, change the network.

If it is not still fixed, update your app from a particular app gallery, such as Play Store (Android devices) and AppStore (IOS devices), and update your browser for web users.

Google Voice users sometimes face the issue of "could not complete your call," which leads to a bad customer experience and negatively impacts Google. You find Google Voice not working when you cannot make calls.

Reasons:

• Expiry of voice license: Google Voice offers a voice license for a certain period.
• Bad network connectivity: The device is connected with a limited and low signal network.

Solutions:

• Renew a voice license: To fix this problem, you must renew your voice license through your administrator or sign in to your Google Admin Console and upgrade your voice license.
• Use Wi-Fi or mobile data to call: Go to call settings and under calls. Make and receive calls to use Wi-Fi and mobile data.

If it's still not fixed, update your Google Voice app and web browser or find alternative Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service Providers for reliable communication.

• Total storage uses: Divides with full storage usage affect the apps to function correctly.
• The old version of the app: The old version could not perform well since it had glitches and compatibility issues.

Solutions:

• Clear your data and cache: To do so, go to your phone settings in the app section, choose Google Voice, force it to stop, clear its cache and data, and restart your phone.
• Clear device storage and RAM usage: Clear all the background run apps, delete unnecessary and duplicate files, and run Google Voice.

Sometimes, updating your Google Voice app and web browser fixes such a problem.

• Bad network connectivity: The device is connected to a limited network or has poor signal networks.
• Device's hardware and software defects.

Solutions:

• Check for network connection: Connect with a stable network, such as Wi-Fi or mobile data, with a high network signal via the Network setting.
• Check for device defects: Outdated sound drivers can often cause issues with device performance. Ensure your sound driver is up-to-date on your PC. For hardware-specific problems, consult with a local device technician for expert assistance.

• Bad network connection: Device connected with a limited or low signal network.
• Incorrect DNS: Devices connected with incorrect DNS (private DNS) cause network problems.
• Limited availability: Google Voice is available in limited countries.

Solutions:

• Check for the network: Ensure your device uses reliable Wi-Fi or mobile data. If not, turn on your Wi-Fi or mobile data.
• Check for DNS connectivity: Sometimes, users make private DNS for connectivity, which creates network connection problems. Switching your DNS from private to automatic might fix the problem.

Use the Virtual Private Network (VPN) app to access Google Voice, where it is not available.

Google Voice does not work on Android version 9 or below and IOS version 13 and below. Not having newer versions of devices creates compatibility issues with Google Voice.

Reasons:

• Device with Old version: Devices with old versions, such as Android 9 or below (Android Phones) or IOS 13 and below (iPhones), do not support Google Voice.

Solutions:

• Upgrading Your Devices: If you have a budget to buy a new device, then upgrade your device to one that supports Google Voice. Sometimes, updating your operating system (IOS/Android) might fix your problem.

Google Voice users who do not use the premier plan service can only make domestic calls. To make international calls with Google Voice, you must get its premier plan, which is expensive compared to other alternatives. You can buy call credits for international calls, but iPhone users can't buy calling credits from the app.

Reasons:

• No calling credit: Google Voice account with no calling credit.
• No upgraded plan: International calling is only supported in the premier plan.

Solutions:

• Check calling credit: Before making international calls, check your calling credit. If you do not have calling credit, get it from the payment section and add credit.
• Getting phone numbers from other providers: You can get an online number from other VoIP alternatives.

• Software glitches: Software glitches occur due to old software versions that lead to unusual behaviour of Google Voice.
• Lost number due to inactivity: Google Voice number gets lost after 30 days of inactivity.

Solutions:

• Never go 30 days inactive: The number will automatically get lost if you become inactive for 30 days in Google Voice. So, we recommend you become active at least once in 30 days. Make payments for the service to prevent deactivation.

Updating your Google Voice app might fix the software bugs from particular app galleries (App Store, Play Store, and more).

Google Voice offers port number features but faces issues with ported numbers on this platform. It does not support porting toll-free numbers with the basic plan.

Reasons:

• Basic Google Voice Plan: Google Voice does not support port phone numbers in the basic plan.
• No number in mobile carrier: You haven't ported your landline number to a mobile carrier.

Solutions:

• Upgrading To Premier Plan: The Premier plan has the support of a port phone number, but you have to consider the extra cost of $30 per month.
• Port Your Phone Number to Better Providers: Consider porting your phone number to better providers like Calilio. Calilio offers seamless number porting with enhanced features and support, providing a more reliable and cost-effective solution.

Even though Google Voice offers free personal use and business features, it has some limitations. These include no call recording on the starter plan, no toll-free numbers, and limited integration with non-Google apps. Additionally, it requires a stable network connection, leading to disruptions and low-quality calls in areas with unreliable connectivity.

If your Google Voice is not working, worry no further. Here are some of the best alternatives that provide reliable and effective communication services with enhanced features. Some top Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers with cloud-based phone service are Calilio, RingCentral, Dialpad, etc. These alternatives to Google Voice offer better and enhanced features such as auto attendant, audio and video conferencing, call monitoring, voicemail, and more, with the enhanced use of artificial intelligence (AI).

• Customizable plans for every business
• 24/7 technical support for prompt reasons
• Offers toll-free numbers for every business plan
• Has VoIP services in multiple countries (100+ countries)

Google Voice is a widespread communication, but being popular does not mean it does not have issues. Troubleshooting and fixing those problems will be better but not best through the guide of this blog. If Google Voice does not satisfy your needs and improve your communication, then choose the alternative to Google Voice, such as Calilio, which offers reliable and effective communication features.

You can fix Google Voice's issue of not sending messages by having stable network connectivity and ensuring your app has permission to send messages.

Google Voice is not working on your Android for a couple of reasons, such as the outdated version of an app or the Android version (i.e., Android version 9 or below). Try updating your Google Voice app from the Play Store and use the latest version of Android devices.

Google Voice is not working on your iPhone for a couple of reasons, such as an old version of the app or an old version of IOS (i.e., IOS version 13 or below). To solve this problem, try updating the Google Voice app from the App Store or use the latest version of IOS devices.

No, Google Voice is incompatible with all devices that do not fulfil the requirements. Non-supporting devices: Android Devices with Android version 9 or below and Apple Devices with IOS version 13 and below.