Popularity isn't ever a sign of a smooth-functioning cyberspace phone service. Have Google Voice for instance. It's ane of the most well-known options on the market, and yet users often report multiple issues per calendar month. 😬 If you rely on the platform to manage all your business phone calls and text messages, Google Vocalization not working tin can reflect poorly on your make.

As a professional person or a small business possessor, you need to be enlightened of all the roadblocks yous may face (and if they tin even be solved) before you choose your telephone service. While you may be drawn in by how Google Voice works free for individuals, the service could end upwardly costing you if it creates poor customer experiences and inefficiencies within your team.

So what Google Vocalisation problems do users face? And since Google doesn't even offer customer back up, how can y'all address them? We'll help you troubleshoot nine common problems on the app, then explain how switching to a Google Vox alternative like OpenPhone can be a one-footstep remedy for all your GV woes.

ix Common Google Vocalism Issues

Google Vocalism doesn't have a flawless track tape when information technology comes to VoIP calls — far from it. Just entering "Google Voice not working" on a Google search brings up a number of complaints, questions, and manufactures about known (and sometimes unresolved) bug. If you're currently using Google Phonation and are having problems with crucial business telephone features, y'all're not the only ane.

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

Nosotros've identified ix common issues with the internet phone service below.

ane. Unable to Access Google Vocalisation Account

At minimum, your Vocalization over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service should exist one you can access. But if you're running into errors with Google Vocalism, this could be an internet connexion upshot. Or, you lot may demand to become into your Google Play Shop or App Store to update to the latest version of the Voice app. Yous can besides run across issues if you lot are trying to take more than than one Google Voice number on your phone.

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

If you lot're using Google Voice for Google Workspace, admins really demand 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 Phonation for each private business relationship or accidentally re-assign a phone number, this could cause problems that team members can't fix on their own.

Though information technology's a adequately easy fix — licenses and phone numbers tin can be managed through the "Users" section of the Google Admin console — getting started with Google Phonation for business organisation tin exist a huge hassle.

ii. No Ringing for Incoming Calls

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

You've made information technology into Google Voice. And so, why aren't you really getting alerted when you lot accept incoming calls or SMS messages? A long list of missed calls or voicemails is never a good sign for customer satisfaction.

Open up the app settings to run into if you've toggled on "Do not disturb" mode (and turn information technology back off if so).

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

If non, tap on the "Calls" section of your settings to run into 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

But even if all your settings are perfect on the browser, Google Vox will notwithstanding instantly mute sound subsequently you stop interacting with the platform for a while — even if you're just on the next tab over! The simply set up is to jump back on the tab and click around for around 10 seconds.

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

iii. Can't Make International Calls

Got a global team or international clientele? You demand an internet phone service that lets you seamlessly make international calls. 🌎 With Google Vocalism, there are a few problems you can run into.

First, free accounts cannot make any calls or texts exterior of the Us While you can purchase calling credits (not possible via the app for iPhone users), y'all're but immune to have $70 max in your account.

If yous update to Voice for Google Workspace, you may pay as much every bit $20 per user per calendar month and still merely exist able to send texts within the Us That's on top of the other texting limits for Google Vox.

Google Voice also states that users may have issues with international calls on their telephone if another app conflicts with the service. Notwithstanding, it doesn't specify what apps can cause these issues, so it'll accept some trial and error to figure out which app is at fault — if another app is fifty-fifty the issue. You may also demand to try restarting the Google Vocalisation app in instance it's just a glitch.

4. Major Sound Quality Issues With Google Voice

When you lot're choosing your VoIP service, quality is fundamental. Unfortunately, Google Vocalization doesn't have a reputation for great sound quality. A slew of users study sounding muffled or distorted on calls — which is definitely bad for business organisation. Subsequently repeating "your audio is breaking upwards" for the hundredth time, your clients may really break up with your brand for good. 💔

Assuming that you're not facing any Wi-Fi or mobile data issues of your own, this is a Google Phonation problem that users solitary can't fix. But with no customer support for gratis users, getting assistance may non be every bit possible as you'd hope. With no one to ask, information technology'south hard to say if what y'all're experiencing is an internet connection issue, a platform issue, or something else.

5. Google Vocalism Loading Slow on Browser

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

1 perk of Google Voice is the ability to access your phone from any computer or mobile device. The trouble is, users report issues when accessing the platform via a browser on voice.google.com.

"For the last month or and so, the Google Voice website acts like I'thousand on dialup. Even when I type text letters, the characters take 1-2 seconds to echo to the screen." ( Reddit inquiry )

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

There are a few potential causes that yous can check:

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

Y'all can also try a reboot if yous experience Google Voice not working on your browser, or double cheque Google Voice'south system and browser requirements. Nevertheless, if none of these are at fault and irksome loading is a consistent issue, there's unfortunately not much that can be done on your part. Switching to a Google Voice culling like OpenPhone may be your best bet.

six. Google Voice Number Disappeared

GIF of Mrs. Maisel from Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

We admit, this issue may audio a little weird. Simply it's true: These days, even your Google Voice number can ghost you lot. 👻

There are more ways this can happen than you recollect. It makes sense for VoIP services to revoke access if y'all fail to pay, merely Google volition even take dorsum your phone number in the following instances:

  • Y'all don't make a phone call, transport a text, listen to your voicemail, or open the Vocalisation app on an Apple tree or Android phone in six months. You'll simply have 45 days to reclaim the number before it's gone for skillful.
  • You port in a number but don't pay a $twenty fee to keep your Google-provided number as a secondary number within xc days.

For business owners, the risk of losing a telephone number is never platonic, even if it's easily avoidable. This consequence is pretty much unheard of with most legitimate paid internet phone services.

7. Can't Port Phone Number

Google Vocalism states that it's able to port phone numbers, only users may actually see a number of porting issues on the platform. For example, Voice does not support porting for Canadian or toll-free numbers. And you'll get stuck if yous don't pay a $20 porting fee per number. The process doesn't make it like shooting fish in a barrel either, every bit users written report:

"Porting a number is super hard, at that place is zero customer back up." ( Review from G2 )

"Shifting numbers you are already using was non very user-friendly for me." ( Review from GetApp )

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

8. Not Receiving Voicemail Transcriptions

Google Voice not working: GIF of Terrence Howard from Empire

If you're not getting voicemail transcriptions, you wouldn't be the showtime. Some users report problems with both commitment and transcription quality. In that location could be a few reasons for this:

  • You lot 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's audio quality was poor, and Google couldn't decipher the message.

Even if your issue is resolved, keep in mind that Google Voice is still pretty limited when it comes to options for receiving voicemail transcriptions. Google Vocalisation alternatives like OpenPhone support more than integrations, assuasive you to become transcripts on more user-friendly channels.

9. Unable to Make Voice Calls on Hangouts

Did y'all choose Google Vocalization equally your business phone service due to its integration with Hangouts? Google has bad news for you lot.

Outset, Hangouts volition be going to the growing Google Graveyard this year (RIP). ⚰️ 2nd, some users are already unable to make Google Voice calls via Hangouts. This is a known outcome that will non 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 want to utilize Google Vocalization for both your team and client communications, things might get a little messy. The platform doesn't offering a great way to organize your inbox or contacts — largely because the Google Vox app wasn't originally built for business use.

A Google Voice culling that's created with concern needs in mind (similar OpenPhone) can assist you accomplish much smoother communication management.

Google Vocalization Not Working for You? Switch to OpenPhone

Screenshots of the OpenPhone mobile and desktop apps

Despite its popularity, Google Voice is riddled with problems that business concern owners can't beget to deal with. Google Voice non working at a critical fourth dimension — for example, during a phone phone call — can lead to your brand losing a sale and losing trust.

Luckily, Google Phonation isn't the but VoIP service effectually. In fact, VoIP providers like OpenPhone are specifically built for concern employ, which means you won't just eliminate Google Vocalization issues. You'll besides get a number of features that Google's phone app tin't provide.

Hither's how switching to OpenPhone can help you overcome Google Phonation'south nine major issues for businesses.

i. Easy Setup and Admission

Though Google Voice access issues can be pretty hands fixed, the VoIP service leaves your squad members far likewise susceptible to lost or delayed admission. Plus, setting up Vox for Google Workspace isn't exactly intuitive. Having to assign licenses before phone numbers is an unnecessary stride — one that OpenPhone eliminates.

With OpenPhone, calculation a team fellow member is like shooting fish in a barrel. Just invite squad members via email, assign a number, and they can accept! Unless you purposely head to the members section of your settings to remove squad members, your employees will never get booted for something equally trivial as lack of licensing when they already have an account.

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

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

put a ring on it GIF of Beyonce

Every bit much equally we'd love for you to, we know you're non going to actively use OpenPhone (or any VoIP app) every 2nd. If you're not on a sales or customer support team, you may not jump on your business phone app at all unless y'all get a phone call or text. And OpenPhone won't force you lot to.

OpenPhone won't stop alerting you about incoming calls just considering you're not clicking around the platform, so you'll never take to pause focus just to interact and avoid missing calls.

If you cull OpenPhone, nosotros really will put a ring on it. 💍

Of course, you tin can always set business hours to avoid getting calls at the wrong times. Just permit united states of america know when y'all're actually working, and we hope not to wake yous in the middle of your sweet dreams.

3. Seamless International Calls

OpenPhone offers costless, unlimited calls, SMS, and MMS in the US and Canada with all plans, starting at just $x per user per month. ✨ It's affordable, and all users can brand international calls at very low rates.

What'south more than, you can get a US number (or Canadian number) even if you're living away and avert paying international calling fees.

iv. Crystal-Clear Audio Quality

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

"The call quality is terrific and the features offered are awesome likewise. As well, over the terminal year, they have continued to make improvements that only make the app better." ( Review on G2 )

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

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

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

five. Fast-Loading Web App

Quicksilver Speeding GIF from X-Men

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

6. Telephone Numbers You Won't Lose

"I lost my number. Can I take yours?" is a cheesy pickup line at all-time and a 18-carat question later on a nightmarish Google Vocalization situation at worst. Your business concern phone service should never cancel your phone number just because you lot're not using it — even with notice.

At OpenPhone, nosotros know a consequent phone number is crucial for a practiced client experience, and to avoid updating all your online business organisation pages at in one case. Nosotros won't retract your concern number unless you purposely delete information technology from your account (or cancel your subscription). And to make sure yous don't do and so on accident, nosotros've even labeled this function of your settings the "Danger Zone" and require you to physically type "delete" before your number goes away. ⚠

7. Simple and Complimentary Porting Process

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

If y'all want to port your number from Google Voice, for example, all yous need to do is:

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

Switching from most 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 yous something else to gloat, OpenPhone supports Canadian and toll-free numbers, besides. 🥳

8. Reliable Voicemail Transcriptions

Screenshot of an OpenPhone voicemail transcription

Your team members aren't always in a place where they can have business calls. Simply even in the centre of a loud music festival, a voicemail transcription tin can assist them determine the urgency of a call or remind them to recollect after.

Missing voicemail transcriptions tin atomic number 82 to unhappy clients and missed opportunities.

Luckily, it's not an issue with OpenPhone. In one case you're on your OpenPhone Admin Dashboard, it merely takes a minute to get voicemail transcripts (and the voicemail audio) via Gmail, other e-mail providers, and fifty-fifty Slack. All users get voicemail transcriptions texted to them through the OpenPhone app.

Plus, since OpenPhone offers pristine sound quality, y'all may even become more than reliable and accurate transcripts than on Google Phonation.

9. Effective Squad Communication Tools

Screenshot of OpenPhone team communication

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

OpenPhone is congenital with a dedicated section for all your team members. You tin easily proceed runway of your internal communications and achieve out to the right person fast. Just tap their names to showtime conversations and interact! 🙌

Plus, you can organize your business contacts based on everything from company to role, so you tin can easily search for clients when information technology'southward fourth dimension to attain out. Using OpenPhone is a lot less hectic than Google Voice. While Google Voice spreads your calls, text messages, and voicemail across iii different inboxes, OpenPhone uses one unified inbox.

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

Want even more peace of mind? Instead of sending popular features to a graveyard similar Google does every single year, OpenPhone is constantly adding new features to assist yous improve your internal and external advice — many of which are suggested past business owners like you!

A Foolproof Fix for Google Vocalization Not Working: Making a Switch

Screenshot of the call screen in the OpenPhone app

Google Vox not working can be a plush upshot if you're using information technology as your business concern phone. When seeking a VoIP service for professional use, using a platform that's built for reliable team and client communication can assistance y'all stay organized and efficient, without any downtime.

OpenPhone fits the beak. With international call capabilities, excellent sound quality, and more must-have features, OpenPhone tin brand your team manage calls and texts better than e'er. And you won't have to spend extra just to port phone numbers when you brand the switch.

Want to examination out the platform before yous commit? Start your free trial of OpenPhone today.

FAQ

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

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

Why is my Google Vocalism not ringing?

Kickoff, check the "Do not disturb" toggle in your Google Voice settings. Side by side, confirm that the "Calls" department of your settings has all telephone options turned on. Tap effectually inside the "Calls" department for x seconds to brand sure everything is working properly. Finally, ostend you are signed into Google Voice brand sure that the "Calls" department has all telephone options turned on by toggling each option. Tap around within the "Calls" section for 10 seconds to make sure everything is working properly.

Why tin can't I make international calls using Google Vocalism?

In lodge to make international phone calls, yous have to accept a Google Voice number with the required plan. The basic gratuitous Google Voice account can only text and call domestically. In-person calls and texts are no problem, but international calling features require an upgraded subscription for at least $xvi/month per user. The other choice is the more expensive Google Vocalism for G Suite (which also ways making Android apps) which doesn't mention annihilation about international options without additional purchases.