Popularity isn't e'er a sign of a shine-functioning internet telephone service. Accept Google Voice for instance. It'south one of the most well-known options on the market, and all the same users oft report multiple issues per month. 😬 If you rely on the platform to manage all your business concern telephone calls and text messages, Google Voice not working tin reflect poorly on your brand.

As a professional or a pocket-sized business organization owner, y'all need to be aware of all the roadblocks y'all may face up (and if they tin can even be solved) before you choose your phone service. While you may be drawn in by how Google Vox works gratuitous for individuals, the service could end up costing you lot if it creates poor client experiences and inefficiencies within your team.

And then what Google Vocalism issues do users confront? And since Google doesn't even offer customer back up, how can you address them? We'll aid you troubleshoot nine common problems on the app, then explicate how switching to a Google Voice alternative like OpenPhone can exist a one-step remedy for all your GV woes.

ix Common Google Voice Issues

Google Voice doesn't have a flawless rails tape when it comes to VoIP calls — far from it. But entering "Google Vocalisation non working" on a Google search brings up a number of complaints, questions, and articles about known (and sometimes unresolved) problems. If you're currently using Google Vox and are having issues with crucial concern phone features, y'all're not the only one.

Google Voice not working: Screenshot of that query in Google search

We've identified ix common problems with the net telephone service below.

1. Unable to Access Google Voice Account

At minimum, your Vocalism over Net Protocol (VoIP) service should be one y'all can access. But if you're running into errors with Google Voice, this could be an internet connection issue. Or, you may need to go into your Google Play Store or App Store to update to the latest version of the Voice app. Y'all tin can also encounter issues if you lot are trying to have more than ane Google Voice number on your phone.

Otherwise, at that place is a pesky situation in which you or your squad members may not exist able to access Vox through your Google accounts.

If you're using Google Vocalization for Google Workspace, admins actually demand to assign each user a Google Voice license before assigning phone numbers (and each number tin only be assigned once). When admins forget to turn on Google Vox for each individual business relationship or accidentally re-assign a phone number, this could cause issues that squad members tin't fix on their own.

Though it'south a fairly easy fix — licenses and phone numbers tin be managed through the "Users" section of the Google Admin console — getting started with Google Vocalization for business concern tin can be a huge hassle.

2. No Ringing for Incoming Calls

Google Voice not working (double): woman in a yellow television

Y'all've fabricated it into Google Voice. So, why aren't yous actually getting alerted when you take incoming calls or SMS letters? A long list of missed calls or voicemails is never a good sign for client satisfaction.

Open the app settings to encounter if you lot've toggled on "Practice not disturb" mode (and turn it back off if and so).

Google Voice not working: Screenshot of do not disturb mode

If not, tap on the "Calls" section of your settings to see if you've accidentally turned off call answering on the web, Android device, or iPhone.

Google Voice not working: Screenshot of turned off call answering on the web

Only even if all your settings are perfect on the browser, Google Voice volition still instantly mute audio subsequently you stop interacting with the platform for a while — fifty-fifty if you're only on the next tab over! The but fix is to jump back on the tab and click effectually for around 10 seconds.

Google Vocalism won't reliably work in the groundwork. On busy workdays, when you're completely focused on tasks exterior your business telephone app, yous may forget to tap into the platform and end up missing a slew of calls.

3. Can't Make International Calls

Got a global team or international clientele? You need an internet phone service that lets y'all seamlessly make international calls. 🌎 With Google Voice, there are a few issues you can run into.

First, costless accounts cannot make any calls or texts exterior of the U.S. While you lot can purchase calling credits (non possible via the app for iPhone users), you're only allowed to have $seventy max in your account.

If you update to Voice for Google Workspace, you may pay as much as $20 per user per calendar month and still only be able to send texts inside the U.Southward. That's on top of the other texting limits for Google Voice.

Google Voice besides states that users may accept issues with international calls on their telephone if another app conflicts with the service. All the same, it doesn't specify what apps can crusade these problems, so it'll take some trial and error to figure out which app is at fault — if another app is even the issue. You lot may also need to effort restarting the Google Voice app in case it'south just a glitch.

4. Major Sound Quality Bug With Google Voice

When you lot're choosing your VoIP service, quality is key. Unfortunately, Google Vocalisation doesn't have a reputation for corking sound quality. A slew of users report sounding muffled or distorted on calls — which is definitely bad for business. After repeating "your audio is breaking upwardly" for the hundredth time, your clients may really break upward with your brand for skilful. 💔

Assuming that y'all're not facing any Wi-Fi or mobile data issues of your ain, this is a Google Phonation problem that users alone can't fix. But with no customer support for free users, getting help may not exist as possible every bit you lot'd promise. With no ane to inquire, information technology'southward difficult to say if what y'all're experiencing is an internet connectedness issue, a platform issue, or something else.

5. Google Voice Loading Slow on Browser

Google Voice not working (double): GIF of old Rose from Titanic

One perk of Google Vox is the ability to admission your phone from any computer or mobile device. The problem is, users written report issues when accessing the platform via a browser on vocalization.google.com.

"For the last calendar month or so, the Google Voice website acts like I'g on dialup. Fifty-fifty when I type text messages, the characters take ane-2 seconds to repeat to the screen." ( Reddit enquiry )

"Very slow to load into the browser." ( Review on GetApp )

There are a few potential causes that you tin can check:

  • Poor cyberspace connection
  • Incompatible browser (must use Chrome, Microsoft Border, Safari, or Mozilla Firefox)
  • Browser not updated

You lot tin also try a reboot if you experience Google Voice not working on your browser, or double check Google Phonation's arrangement and browser requirements. However, if none of these are at mistake and slow loading is a consistent issue, there's unfortunately not much that can be washed on your part. Switching to a Google Voice alternative like OpenPhone may be your best bet.

6. Google Vocalization Number Disappeared

GIF of Mrs. Maisel from Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

We admit, this event may audio a little weird. Merely it's true: These days, fifty-fifty your Google Voice number tin ghost you. 👻

There are more than ways this can happen than y'all call back. It makes sense for VoIP services to revoke access if you neglect to pay, just Google volition fifty-fifty take dorsum your telephone number in the following instances:

  • You don't make a call, ship a text, listen to your voicemail, or open the Voice app on an Apple or Android telephone in six months. You'll merely have 45 days to repossess the number earlier it's gone for expert.
  • You port in a number but don't pay a $20 fee to keep your Google-provided number as a secondary number within ninety days.

For business organisation owners, the adventure of losing a phone number is never platonic, even if information technology's easily avoidable. This event is pretty much unheard of with nigh legitimate paid internet phone services.

7. Can't Port Phone Number

Google Voice states that it's able to port phone numbers, but users may really run into a number of porting bug on the platform. For example, Vocalism does not support porting for Canadian or toll-gratis numbers. And yous'll become stuck if you don't pay a $20 porting fee per number. The process doesn't make it like shooting fish in a barrel either, equally users written report:

"Porting a number is super hard, there is zero customer support." ( Review from G2 )

"Shifting numbers you are already using was not very convenient for me." ( Review from GetApp )

A polish transition of all your business phone numbers into Google Voice isn't possible for every company, fifty-fifty when information technology should be.

eight. Not Receiving Voicemail Transcriptions

Google Voice not working: GIF of Terrence Howard from Empire

If you're not getting voicemail transcriptions, you wouldn't exist the commencement. Some users report issues with both delivery and transcription quality. At that place could be a few reasons for this:

  • You turned off "Get voicemail via electronic mail" in your settings.
  • You're looking for voicemail transcriptions via text (the Voice app permanently disabled this feature).
  • Your caller's audio quality was poor, and Google couldn't decipher the message.

Fifty-fifty if your issue is resolved, proceed in mind that Google Vocalism is even so pretty limited when it comes to options for receiving voicemail transcriptions. Google Voice alternatives like OpenPhone support more than integrations, allowing yous to get transcripts on more than user-friendly channels.

9. Unable to Make Vox Calls on Hangouts

Did yous cull Google Vocalism as your business phone service due to its integration with Hangouts? Google has bad news for y'all.

First, Hangouts volition be going to the growing Google Graveyard this year (RIP). ⚰️ Second, some users are already unable to brand Google Vox calls via Hangouts. This is a known issue that will not be fixed.

Using Google Voice means you'll have to switch between two different platforms to message your team and manage phone calls. Or, if you lot want to employ Google Voice for both your team and customer communications, things might get a fiddling messy. The platform doesn't offering a great way to organize your inbox or contacts — largely because the Google Voice app wasn't originally built for business organization use.

A Google Voice alternative that'due south created with business needs in mind (similar OpenPhone) can assistance you achieve much smoother communication direction.

Google Voice Non Working for You? Switch to OpenPhone

Screenshots of the OpenPhone mobile and desktop apps

Despite its popularity, Google Voice is riddled with issues that business owners tin't afford to deal with. Google Voice not working at a critical time — for example, during a telephone call — tin atomic number 82 to your brand losing a sale and losing trust.

Luckily, Google Vocalisation isn't the merely VoIP service around. In fact, VoIP providers similar OpenPhone are specifically built for business organization use, which means you won't just eliminate Google Vocalisation problems. Yous'll also become a number of features that Google's telephone app can't provide.

Here's how switching to OpenPhone can assist you overcome Google Vocalism's nine major problems for businesses.

1. Easy Setup and Access

Though Google Phonation admission bug can be pretty easily stock-still, the VoIP service leaves your team members far too susceptible to lost or delayed access. Plus, setting upwardly Vocalism for Google Workspace isn't exactly intuitive. Having to assign licenses before phone numbers is an unnecessary footstep — one that OpenPhone eliminates.

With OpenPhone, calculation a team member is easy. Just invite team members via email, assign a number, and they tin have! Unless you purposely caput to the members section of your settings to remove team members, your employees will never get booted for something as piddling as lack of licensing when they already have an account.

Plus, since users can share phone numbers, there's no chance of locking users out of their accounts when you double-assign a number. 🤩

ii. Rings on Every Incoming Call (When You lot Desire Them)

put a ring on it GIF of Beyonce

As much as we'd love for you to, we know you lot're not going to actively utilize OpenPhone (or whatever VoIP app) every second. If yous're not on a sales or customer back up team, you may not jump on your business phone app at all unless you get a call or text. And OpenPhone won't force you to.

OpenPhone won't stop alerting you about incoming calls just because you're non clicking around the platform, and so y'all'll never have to suspension focus just to interact and avoid missing calls.

If you cull OpenPhone, we really volition put a band on it. 💍

Of grade, yous can always set business organization hours to avert getting calls at the wrong times. Only let u.s. know when y'all're actually working, and we promise not to wake you in the heart of your sweet dreams.

3. Seamless International Calls

OpenPhone offers free, unlimited calls, SMS, and MMS in the U.S. and Canada with all plans, starting at but $10 per user per calendar month. ✨ It'southward affordable, and all users tin brand international calls at very low rates.

What'south more, yous tin go a U.S. number (or Canadian number) even if yous're living away and avoid paying international calling fees.

4. Crystal-Articulate Audio Quality

Different Google Vocalism, which lets downwards users when it comes to sound quality, OpenPhone offers top-notch audio for both incoming and outgoing calls. Take it from our users:

"The phone call quality is terrific and the features offered are crawly as well. Also, over the last year, they take continued to make improvements that only make the app ameliorate." ( Review on G2 )

"The design is make clean and the call quality is impressive. Would recommend. 👌" ( Review on Product Chase )

"I also experience loftier call quality using OpenPhone versus the competition." ( Review on G2 )

If you do run into issues, you can run through OpenPhone'south transparent VoIP troubleshooting guide or contact the support squad directly.

5. Fast-Loading Web App

Quicksilver Speeding GIF from X-Men

If you lot're using Google Vocalization because of its cross-platform compatibility, the skilful news is, yous can still get this perk when you switch to OpenPhone — only you won't take new wrinkles by the fourth dimension the platform's washed loading on your browser. 👴 With a solid uptime tape for the website (along with all iOS, Android, and web apps), OpenPhone is a service you can rely on, and one that offers back up if you do run into issues.

half-dozen. Telephone Numbers You Won't Lose

"I lost my number. Can I have yours?" is a cheesy pickup line at best and a genuine question afterwards a nightmarish Google Phonation situation at worst. Your business phone service should never cancel your telephone number just considering you're not using it — even with observe.

At OpenPhone, we know a consistent phone number is crucial for a good customer feel, and to avert updating all your online business pages at once. Nosotros won't retract your business number unless y'all purposely delete it from your account (or cancel your subscription). And to brand sure you don't do so on accident, nosotros've even labeled this part of your settings the "Danger Zone" and crave you to physically type "delete" earlier your number goes away. ⚠

7. Simple and Free Porting Process

When Google Voice (or some other internet telephone service, for that affair) isn't working out, we desire to make all your worries go away. 💆 That'southward why we brand porting your phone number to OpenPhone as easy equally possible.

If you want to make the switch from Google Voice, for example, all yous need to practise is:

  • Create an OpenPhone account.
  • Unlock your Google Voice number. (Notation: Google charges a onetime $three fee to transfer your number abroad from Google Vox.)
  • Submit this 1-minute porting asking course.

Switching from most other VoIP services is even simpler and only requires two steps: creating your OpenPhone business relationship and filling out the form.

OpenPhone won't charge you any porting fees. And to give you something else to celebrate, OpenPhone supports Canadian and toll-free numbers, besides. 🥳

8. Reliable Voicemail Transcriptions

Screenshot of an OpenPhone voicemail transcription

Your team members aren't e'er in a place where they can take business calls. But fifty-fifty in the middle of a loud music festival, a voicemail transcription tin can help them decide the urgency of a telephone call or remind them to recollect later on.

Missing voicemail transcriptions can lead to unhappy clients and missed opportunities.

Luckily, information technology's not an result with OpenPhone. One time you're on your OpenPhone Admin Dashboard, it only takes a infinitesimal to get voicemail transcripts (and the voicemail audio) via Gmail, other email providers, and fifty-fifty Slack. All users get voicemail transcriptions texted to them through the OpenPhone app.

Plus, since OpenPhone offers pristine sound quality, you may even get more than reliable and authentic transcripts than on Google Voice.

nine. Constructive Team Communication Tools

Screenshot of OpenPhone team communication

With Google Voice not working on Hangouts, you lot may be seeking out a platform that allows you to streamline your team and client communication — and do so well. Look no farther than OpenPhone.

OpenPhone is built with a dedicated section for all your team members. You tin hands keep rails of your internal communications and reach out to the right person fast. Just tap their names to start conversations and collaborate! 🙌

Plus, you tin organize your business organisation contacts based on everything from company to part, and then yous can easily search for clients when it'due south time to reach out. Using OpenPhone is a lot less hectic than Google Vox. While Google Voice spreads your calls, text messages, and voicemail across 3 different inboxes, OpenPhone uses one unified inbox.

If you do desire a dedicated team messaging platform, feel free to utilize Slack. OpenPhone allows you to see voicemails, texts, and missed calls on the platform when you integrate your business relationship with Slack, so you'll still get a fairly streamlined feel.

Want even more peace of heed? Instead of sending pop features to a graveyard like Google does every unmarried yr, OpenPhone is constantly adding new features to assist you improve your internal and external advice — many of which are suggested by business owners like you!

A Foolproof Set for Google Phonation Not Working: Making a Switch

Screenshot of the call screen in the OpenPhone app

Google Vocalization not working can be a costly event if you're using it as your concern phone. When seeking a VoIP service for professional use, using a platform that's built for reliable team and client communication tin can help you lot stay organized and efficient, without any downtime.

OpenPhone fits the pecker. With international call capabilities, fantabulous sound quality, and more than must-accept features, OpenPhone can make your team manage calls and texts better than e'er. And you lot won't have to spend actress only to port phone numbers when y'all make the switch.

Desire to test out the platform before yous commit? Offset your free trial of OpenPhone today.

FAQ

Why doesn't Google Voice work on Hangouts/Google Run across anymore?

A contempo update to the Google Come across (formerly Hangouts) app removed support for third-political party backups, which means your Google Voice messages and phone calls won't sync upwardly with your Hangouts app anymore.

Why is my Google Voice not ringing?

Beginning, check the "Do not disturb" toggle in your Google Voice settings. Adjacent, confirm that the "Calls" section of your settings has all phone options turned on. Tap around inside the "Calls" department for 10 seconds to brand sure everything is working properly. Finally, ostend you lot are signed into Google Voice make sure that the "Calls" section has all phone options turned on past toggling each option. Tap around within the "Calls" department for ten seconds to brand sure everything is working properly.

Why can't I make international calls using Google Voice?

In gild to brand international telephone calls, you have to have a Google Voice number with the required programme. The bones complimentary Google Voice business relationship can only text and call domestically. In-person calls and texts are no trouble, only international calling features require an upgraded subscription for at least $16/calendar month per user. The other choice is the more expensive Google Voice for G Suite (which also means making Android apps) which doesn't mention anything about international options without additional purchases.