Popularity isn't always a sign of a smooth-functioning net phone service. Take Google Voice for instance. It'due south one of the most well-known options on the market, and yet users often report multiple bug per month. 😬 If you rely on the platform to manage all your business phone calls and text messages, Google Voice not working can reflect poorly on your brand.

As a professional person or a small business organization possessor, you need to be aware of all the roadblocks yous may face (and if they can even be solved) before you choose your phone service. While you may be drawn in by how Google Vox works gratis for individuals, the service could end upward costing you if information technology creates poor customer experiences and inefficiencies within your squad.

So what Google Vocalization issues do users face? And since Google doesn't even offer customer support, how can you address them? We'll help you troubleshoot nine mutual problems on the app, then explicate how switching to a Google Vocalisation culling like OpenPhone can be a one-footstep remedy for all your GV woes.

9 Common Google Voice Issues

Google Voice doesn't accept a flawless track tape when it comes to VoIP calls — far from information technology. Just entering "Google Vocalization non working" on a Google search brings up a number of complaints, questions, and articles nearly known (and sometimes unresolved) problems. If you're currently using Google Voice and are having issues with crucial business telephone features, you lot're not the just i.

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

We've identified nine common issues with the internet phone service below.

1. Unable to Access Google Vocalisation Business relationship

At minimum, your Vocalization over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service should be one you tin can access. Only if you're running into errors with Google Vocalization, this could be an cyberspace connection upshot. Or, y'all may demand to become into your Google Play Store or App Store to update to the latest version of the Vox app. You can also run into issues if you are trying to have more than 1 Google Voice number on your phone.

Otherwise, there is a pesky state of affairs in which you or your team members may non exist able to admission Voice through your Google accounts.

If yous're using Google Voice for Google Workspace, admins actually need to assign each user a Google Voice license before assigning phone numbers (and each number can only be assigned once). When admins forget to turn on Google Voice for each individual business relationship or accidentally re-assign a phone number, this could cause problems that team members can't set up on their own.

Though it's a fairly easy fix — licenses and phone numbers can be managed through the "Users" department of the Google Admin panel — getting started with Google Voice for business can exist a huge hassle.

2. No Ringing for Incoming Calls

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

You've made it into Google Voice. So, why aren't you really getting alerted when y'all have incoming calls or SMS messages? A long list of missed calls or voicemails is never a good sign for customer satisfaction.

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

Google Voice not working: Having Do not disturb mode enabled can prevent incoming calls

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: Fix issue not receiving incoming calls by going into Voice settings

Merely even if all your settings are perfect on the browser, Google Voice will all the same instantly mute sound later yous stop interacting with the platform for a while — even if y'all're merely on the next tab over! The only fix is to jump back on the tab and click around for around x seconds.

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

3. Can't Make International Calls

Got a global squad or international clientele? You demand an net phone service that lets yous seamlessly make international calls. 🌎 With Google Vocalisation, there are a few issues you tin can run across.

Beginning, free accounts cannot make any calls or texts outside of the The states While y'all can purchase calling credits (not possible via the app for iPhone users), yous're only allowed to have $70 max in your account.

If yous update to Voice for Google Workspace, you may pay every bit much as $20 per user per month and still only exist able to send texts within the U.s.a. That's on summit of the other texting limits for Google Phonation.

Google Voice likewise states that users may have issues with international calls on their phone if another app conflicts with the service. Even so, it doesn't specify what apps can crusade these bug, so it'll have some trial and mistake to effigy out which app is at fault — if another app is even the issue. You may also need to effort restarting the Google Vocalism app in instance it'south just a glitch.

4. Major Audio Quality Bug With Google Voice

When you're choosing your VoIP service, quality is key. Unfortunately, Google Phonation doesn't have a reputation for great sound quality. A slew of users report sounding muffled or distorted on calls — which is definitely bad for business. Later repeating "your audio is breaking upwards" for the hundredth fourth dimension, your clients may actually suspension up with your brand for skillful. 💔

Assuming that you're non facing whatever Wi-Fi or mobile data issues of your ain, this is a Google Phonation trouble that users alone can't prepare. Merely with no customer support for free users, getting aid may not be as possible as yous'd hope. With no one to ask, information technology's difficult to say if what you're experiencing is an net connection issue, a platform issue, or something else.

5. Google Voice Loading Boring on Browser

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

One perk of Google Phonation is the ability to access your phone from any reckoner or mobile device. The trouble is, users study bug when accessing the platform via a browser on voice.google.com.

"For the final month or so, the Google Voice website acts similar I'm on dialup. Even when I type text messages, the characters take 1-2 seconds to echo to the screen." ( Reddit inquiry )

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

In that location are a few potential causes that you can check:

  • Poor internet connection
  • Incompatible browser (must employ Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, or Mozilla Firefox)
  • Browser not updated

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

vi. Google Voice Number Disappeared

GIF of Mrs. Maisel from Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

We admit, this issue may sound a little weird. Just it'southward truthful: These days, even your Google Vocalism number can ghost you. 👻

In that location are more than ways this can happen than you think. It makes sense for VoIP services to revoke admission if you neglect to pay, but Google volition even take dorsum your phone number in the following instances:

  • You don't make a call, send a text, listen to your voicemail, or open the Vocalisation app on an Apple tree or Android phone in six months. Yous'll only have 45 days to repossess the number before information technology'due south gone for good.
  • You port in a number but don't pay a $xx fee to keep your Google-provided number equally a secondary number inside 90 days.

For concern owners, the risk of losing a telephone number is never ideal, even if it's easily avoidable. This upshot is pretty much unheard of with virtually legitimate paid net phone services.

7. Tin't Port Telephone Number

Google Voice states that it's able to port phone numbers, but users may actually encounter a number of porting issues on the platform. For instance, Voice does non support porting for Canadian or toll-gratis numbers. And you'll go stuck if you don't pay a $xx porting fee per number. The process doesn't make information technology easy either, as users study:

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

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

A smooth transition of all your business organization phone numbers into Google Voice isn't possible for every company, even when it should be.

8. Not Receiving Voicemail Transcriptions

Google Voice not working: GIF of Terrence Howard from Empire

If yous're not getting voicemail transcriptions, you wouldn't be the first. Some users study issues with both delivery and transcription quality. In that location could exist a few reasons for this:

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

Fifty-fifty if your effect is resolved, keep in heed that Google Voice is still pretty limited when it comes to options for receiving voicemail transcriptions. Google Voice alternatives like OpenPhone support more integrations, allowing you to go transcripts on more convenient channels.

nine. Unable to Make Voice Calls on Hangouts

Did you choose Google Vocalisation every bit your concern telephone service due to its integration with Hangouts? Google has bad news for you.

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

Using Google Voice means y'all'll have to switch between ii different platforms to bulletin your team and manage phone calls. Or, if yous want to use Google Voice for both your team and client communications, things might get a little messy. The platform doesn't offering a peachy mode to organize your inbox or contacts — largely because the Google Phonation app wasn't originally built for business use.

A Google Vocalism alternative that's created with concern needs in heed (like OpenPhone) tin can help you achieve much smoother advice management.

Google Voice Not Working for You lot? 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 Vox non working at a critical time — for example, during a phone call — can lead to your brand losing a auction and losing trust.

Luckily, Google Voice isn't the simply VoIP service around. In fact, VoIP providers like OpenPhone are specifically built for business use, which means you won't just eliminate Google Voice bug. Yous'll besides get a number of features that Google'due south telephone app can't provide.

Here's how switching to OpenPhone can help you lot overcome Google Voice's nine major issues for businesses.

i. Easy Setup and Access

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

With OpenPhone, adding a squad fellow member is piece of cake. Merely invite team members via email, assign a number, and they can accept! Unless yous purposely head to the members section of your settings to remove team members, your employees volition never get booted for something as trivial every bit lack of licensing when they already have an business relationship.

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

2. Rings on Every Incoming Call (When Yous Want Them)

put a ring on it GIF of Beyonce

As much every bit we'd beloved for you to, we know you're non going to actively apply OpenPhone (or whatever VoIP app) every second. If yous're not on a sales or customer support team, you may not jump on your business concern phone app at all unless yous get a call or text. And OpenPhone won't force you to.

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

If you choose OpenPhone, we really will put a ring on information technology. 💍

Of course, you can always prepare business hours to avert getting calls at the wrong times. Merely let the states know when yous're actually working, and we promise not to wake you in the heart of your sugariness dreams.

three. Seamless International Calls

OpenPhone offers free, unlimited calls, SMS, and MMS in the US and Canada with all plans, starting at just $ten per user per calendar month. ✨ It'due south affordable, and all users can make international calls at very low rates.

What's more, y'all tin can go a United states of america number (or Canadian number) even if you're living abroad and avoid paying international calling fees.

4. Crystal-Clear Sound Quality

Unlike Google Phonation, which lets down users when it comes to sound quality, OpenPhone offers pinnacle-notch audio for both incoming and outgoing calls. Have it from our users:

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

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

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

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

five. Fast-Loading Spider web App

Quicksilver Speeding GIF from X-Men

If you're using Google Voice considering of its cantankerous-platform compatibility, the adept news is, y'all can still get this perk when you switch to OpenPhone — but you won't take new wrinkles past the time the platform's done loading on your browser. 👴 With a solid uptime record for the website (forth with all iOS, Android, and web apps), OpenPhone is a service you can rely on, and ane that offers support if you exercise come across issues.

6. Telephone Numbers You Won't Lose

"I lost my number. Can I have yours?" is a cheesy pickup line at best and a 18-carat question after a nightmarish Google Voice situation at worst. Your business phone service should never cancel your telephone number just considering you're not using it — fifty-fifty with observe.

At OpenPhone, we know a consistent phone number is crucial for a expert customer experience, and to avert updating all your online business pages at once. We won't retract your business number unless you purposely delete it from your account (or cancel your subscription). And to make sure you don't practice so on accident, nosotros've fifty-fifty labeled this part of your settings the "Danger Zone" and require you to physically blazon "delete" before your number goes abroad. ⚠

vii. Simple and Free Porting Process

When Google Voice (or another internet phone service, for that matter) isn't working out, we want to make all your worries become away. 💆 That'due south why we make porting your telephone number to OpenPhone equally easy as possible.

If you want to port your number from Google Voice, for case, all yous need to do is:

  • Create an OpenPhone account.
  • Unlock your Google Voice number. (Note: Google charges a one-time $3 fee to transfer your number away from Google Voice.)
  • Submit this 1-minute porting request grade.

Switching from almost other VoIP services is even simpler and only requires ii steps: creating your OpenPhone account and filling out the form.

OpenPhone won't charge you any porting fees. And to give you something else to gloat, OpenPhone supports Canadian and toll-gratis numbers, as well. 🥳

viii. 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 even in the middle of a loud music festival, a voicemail transcription tin aid them determine the urgency of a call or remind them to call back later.

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

Luckily, information technology's non an result with OpenPhone. Once you're on your OpenPhone Admin Dashboard, it but takes a minute to get voicemail transcripts (and the voicemail audio) via Gmail, other email providers, and even Slack. All users go voicemail transcriptions texted to them through the OpenPhone app.

Plus, since OpenPhone offers pristine sound quality, you may fifty-fifty go more than reliable and accurate transcripts than on Google Voice.

nine. Constructive Team Communication Tools

Screenshot of OpenPhone team communication

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

OpenPhone is built with a defended department for all your team members. You tin easily 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 can organize your business contacts based on everything from visitor to office, so you lot tin easily search for clients when it'southward time to accomplish out. Using OpenPhone is a lot less hectic than Google Vocalism. While Google Voice spreads your calls, text messages, and voicemail across iii dissimilar inboxes, OpenPhone uses ane unified inbox.

If you do want a dedicated team messaging platform, feel free to employ Slack. OpenPhone allows you to run into voicemails, texts, and missed calls on the platform when you lot integrate your account with Slack, and so you'll still get a fairly streamlined experience.

Want even more peace of mind? Instead of sending pop features to a graveyard like Google does every single year, OpenPhone is constantly calculation new features to help you improve your internal and external communication — many of which are suggested by business owners like yous!

A Foolproof Set up for Google Voice Not Working: Making a Switch

Screenshot of the call screen in the OpenPhone app

Google Vocalisation non working can be a costly issue if you're using it equally your business concern phone. When seeking a VoIP service for professional employ, using a platform that's built for reliable squad and client communication can help y'all stay organized and efficient, without any downtime.

OpenPhone fits the neb. With international call capabilities, excellent sound quality, and more must-take features, OpenPhone can make your squad manage calls and texts better than ever. And y'all won't have to spend extra but to port phone numbers when you make the switch.

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

FAQ

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

A recent update to the Google Run across (formerly Hangouts) app removed support for tertiary-party backups, which means your Google Phonation messages and telephone calls won't sync up with your Hangouts app anymore.

Why is my Google Voice not ringing?

Showtime, cheque the "Practise not disturb" toggle in your Google Voice settings. Next, confirm that the "Calls" department of your settings has all telephone options turned on. Tap around inside the "Calls" section for x seconds to make sure everything is working properly. Finally, ostend y'all are signed into Google Voice make sure that the "Calls" section has all phone options turned on by toggling each pick. Tap effectually inside the "Calls" section for 10 seconds to make sure everything is working properly.

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

In order to make international phone calls, you have to have a Google Voice number with the required plan. The bones free Google Voice account tin simply text and call domestically. In-person calls and texts are no problem, only international calling features crave an upgraded subscription for at to the lowest degree $sixteen/month per user. The other pick is the more expensive Google Voice for G Suite (which also means making Android apps) which doesn't mention anything about international options without boosted purchases.