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

Equally a professional or a small-scale business owner, yous need to be aware of all the roadblocks you may confront (and if they can even be solved) earlier you choose your phone service. While you lot may be fatigued in past how Google Voice works free for individuals, the service could finish upwards costing you if information technology creates poor client experiences and inefficiencies inside your team.

So what Google Voice issues do users confront? And since Google doesn't even offer client back up, how tin you address them? We'll help you troubleshoot nine common problems on the app, then explain how switching to a Google Vocalization alternative like OpenPhone tin can be a 1-stride remedy for all your GV woes.

nine Common Google Voice Issues

Google Vocalization doesn't have a flawless track tape when information technology comes to VoIP calls — far from information technology. Just entering "Google Phonation not 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 bug with crucial business concern phone features, you're not the merely one.

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

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

1. Unable to Access Google Voice Business relationship

At minimum, your Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service should be one you lot can admission. 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 Vocalisation app. You tin can besides encounter issues if you are trying to have more than than ane Google Vox number on your phone.

Otherwise, in that location is a pesky situation in which you or your squad members may not be able to access Voice through your Google accounts.

If you're using Google Voice for Google Workspace, admins really need to assign each user a Google Voice license earlier assigning telephone numbers (and each number can but be assigned once). When admins forget to plow on Google Phonation for each individual account or accidentally re-assign a phone number, this could cause problems that team members can't prepare on their own.

Though information technology'due south a fairly piece of cake fix — licenses and phone numbers can be managed through the "Users" department of the Google Admin console — getting started with Google Voice for business tin can be 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. So, why aren't you actually getting alerted when yous take 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 lot've toggled on "Practise non disturb" mode (and plow information technology back off if then).

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

Merely even if all your settings are perfect on the browser, Google Voice will withal instantly mute audio later you cease interacting with the platform for a while — even if you're merely on the next tab over! The only set is to jump back on the tab and click around for effectually 10 seconds.

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

3. Can't Brand International Calls

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

Showtime, gratuitous accounts cannot make whatever calls or texts outside of the U.S. While yous can buy calling credits (not possible via the app for iPhone users), you're just allowed to have $70 max in your account.

If yous update to Phonation for Google Workspace, you may pay as much equally $twenty per user per calendar month and still simply exist able to transport texts inside the U.Due south. That'southward on top of the other texting limits for Google Voice.

Google Vocalisation also states that users may have issues with international calls on their telephone if another app conflicts with the service. However, it doesn't specify what apps tin cause these issues, so it'll take some trial and fault to effigy out which app is at fault — if another app is even the issue. You may also need to try restarting the Google Vox app in case it's simply a glitch.

4. Major Sound Quality Issues With Google Vocalism

When you're choosing your VoIP service, quality is key. Unfortunately, Google Vox 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. Afterwards repeating "your audio is breaking upwards" for the hundredth time, your clients may actually suspension up with your brand for skilful. 💔

Assuming that you're non facing any Wi-Fi or mobile data issues of your own, this is a Google Vocalism problem that users lone can't fix. But with no client support for complimentary users, getting help may non be as possible as y'all'd promise. With no ane to enquire, information technology'south hard to say if what you're experiencing is an internet connection issue, a platform effect, or something else.

5. Google Voice Loading Wearisome on Browser

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

1 perk of Google Voice is the power to access your phone from whatever estimator or mobile device. The trouble is, users report bug when accessing the platform via a browser on vocalism.google.com.

"For the last month or and then, the Google Vox website acts like I'1000 on dialup. Even when I blazon text letters, the characters take i-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 can bank check:

  • Poor cyberspace connexion
  • Incompatible browser (must utilise Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, or Mozilla Firefox)
  • Browser non updated

You can likewise try a reboot if y'all feel Google Voice not working on your browser, or double bank check Google Vocalism'southward system and browser requirements. However, if none of these are at mistake and slow loading is a consistent event, there'southward unfortunately not much that tin can be done on your part. Switching to a Google Voice culling like OpenPhone may exist your best bet.

6. Google Voice Number Disappeared

GIF of Mrs. Maisel from Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

We acknowledge, this issue may sound a little weird. Merely it's true: These days, fifty-fifty your Google Voice number tin can ghost you lot. 👻

There are more ways this tin can happen than yous think. It makes sense for VoIP services to revoke access if y'all fail to pay, but Google will fifty-fifty have dorsum your phone number in the following instances:

  • Y'all don't make a telephone call, send a text, listen to your voicemail, or open the Voice app on an Apple or Android phone in six months. You'll merely have 45 days to reclaim the number earlier it's gone for practiced.
  • You lot port in a number but don't pay a $20 fee to keep your Google-provided number every bit a secondary number inside 90 days.

For business owners, the chance of losing a phone number is never ideal, even if it's easily avoidable. This outcome is pretty much unheard of with well-nigh legitimate paid internet phone services.

vii. Can't Port Phone Number

Google Voice states that it's able to port telephone numbers, but users may actually run into a number of porting issues on the platform. For case, Voice does non support porting for Canadian or toll-free numbers. And you lot'll go stuck if you don't pay a $twenty porting fee per number. The process doesn't get in easy either, as users study:

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

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

A smooth transition of all your business phone numbers into Google Vocalization isn't possible for every visitor, even 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, y'all wouldn't be the first. Some users report issues with both delivery and transcription quality. At that place could be a few reasons for this:

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

Even if your consequence is resolved, keep in mind that Google Voice is all the same pretty limited when it comes to options for receiving voicemail transcriptions. Google Voice alternatives like OpenPhone support more integrations, assuasive you to get transcripts on more convenient channels.

9. Unable to Make Vox Calls on Hangouts

Did y'all choose Google Vocalisation as your concern phone service due to its integration with Hangouts? Google has bad news for you.

First, Hangouts will be going to the growing Google Graveyard this yr (RIP). ⚰️ 2nd, some users are already unable to make Google Vox calls via Hangouts. This is a known result that will not be fixed.

Using Google Vocalisation means you'll accept to switch between two different platforms to bulletin your team and manage phone calls. Or, if you lot desire to utilise Google Voice for both your squad and customer communications, things might get a little messy. The platform doesn't offer a neat way to organize your inbox or contacts — largely considering the Google Voice app wasn't originally built for business concern use.

A Google Vocalization alternative that's created with concern needs in mind (like OpenPhone) tin help yous reach much smoother communication management.

Google Vocalization Not Working for Yous? Switch to OpenPhone

Screenshots of the OpenPhone mobile and desktop apps

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

Luckily, Google Vocalism isn't the merely VoIP service effectually. In fact, VoIP providers like OpenPhone are specifically built for business organization use, which means yous won't only eliminate Google Voice problems. You'll besides get a number of features that Google's phone app can't provide.

Here'due south how switching to OpenPhone tin assistance you overcome Google Voice'south nine major issues for businesses.

one. Like shooting fish in a barrel Setup and Access

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

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

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

two. Rings on Every Incoming Telephone call (When You lot Want Them)

put a ring on it GIF of Beyonce

As much as we'd love for yous to, we know you're non going to actively employ OpenPhone (or any VoIP app) every 2d. If you're not on a sales or customer support team, you lot may not jump on your business organization phone app at all unless you become a call or text. And OpenPhone won't forcefulness y'all to.

OpenPhone won't stop alerting you almost incoming calls but because you're not clicking around the platform, and then yous'll never have to break focus only to collaborate and avoid missing calls.

If yous cull OpenPhone, we really will put a ring on it. 💍

Of course, you can ever fix business hours to avoid getting calls at the incorrect times. Just let us know when y'all're really working, and we promise not to wake you in the middle of your sweet dreams.

three. Seamless International Calls

OpenPhone offers gratis, unlimited calls, SMS, and MMS in the U.S. and Canada with all plans, starting at only $10 per user per month. ✨ It's affordable, and all users tin make international calls at very low rates.

What's more than, you lot can get a U.S. number (or Canadian number) even if you're living abroad and avoid paying international calling fees.

4. Crystal-Clear Sound Quality

Unlike Google Vocalisation, which lets downward users when information technology comes to sound quality, OpenPhone offers top-notch sound for both incoming and outgoing calls. Have information technology 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 merely make the app better." ( Review on G2 )

"The pattern is clean and the phone 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 meet issues, you lot tin run through OpenPhone'southward transparent VoIP troubleshooting guide or contact the support team directly.

v. Fast-Loading Web App

Quicksilver Speeding GIF from X-Men

If yous're using Google Vocalisation because of its cantankerous-platform compatibility, the good news is, you can still get this perk when yous switch to OpenPhone — only you won't accept new wrinkles by the fourth dimension the platform's 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 you lot can rely on, and 1 that offers support if yous do run across problems.

6. Phone Numbers You Won't Lose

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

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

vii. Simple and Free Porting Process

When Google Phonation (or another internet telephone service, for that affair) isn't working out, we want to brand all your worries go abroad. 💆 That's why we make porting your phone number to OpenPhone equally piece of cake every bit possible.

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

  • Create an OpenPhone account.
  • Unlock your Google Vocalism number. (Note: Google charges a i-fourth dimension $3 fee to transfer your number away from Google Vocalisation.)
  • Submit this ane-minute porting request course.

Switching from most other VoIP services is even simpler and only requires two 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 celebrate, OpenPhone supports Canadian and price-free numbers, too. 🥳

8. Reliable Voicemail Transcriptions

Screenshot of an OpenPhone voicemail transcription

Your team members aren't always in a place where they can accept concern calls. But even in the middle of a loud music festival, a voicemail transcription can aid them decide the urgency of a call or remind them to recollect afterward.

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

Luckily, information technology'southward not an upshot with OpenPhone. In one case you lot're on your OpenPhone Admin Dashboard, it simply takes a infinitesimal to get voicemail transcripts (and the voicemail audio) via Gmail, other email providers, and fifty-fifty Slack. All users become voicemail transcriptions texted to them through the OpenPhone app.

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

nine. Constructive Team Communication Tools

Screenshot of OpenPhone team communication

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

OpenPhone is congenital with a dedicated section for all your team members. You can easily keep track of your internal communications and reach out to the right person fast. Just tap their names to starting time conversations and collaborate! 🙌

Plus, y'all can organize your business contacts based on everything from company to function, and so you can easily search for clients when it's fourth dimension to reach out. Using OpenPhone is a lot less hectic than Google Voice. While Google Voice spreads your calls, text letters, and voicemail across three unlike inboxes, OpenPhone uses one unified inbox.

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

Desire even more than peace of mind? Instead of sending pop features to a graveyard like Google does every unmarried year, OpenPhone is constantly adding new features to aid you improve your internal and external advice — many of which are suggested by business organization owners like you!

A Foolproof Prepare for Google Vox Not Working: Making a Switch

Screenshot of the call screen in the OpenPhone app

Google Voice not working can be a costly issue if you're using it as your concern telephone. When seeking a VoIP service for professional use, using a platform that'southward built for reliable team and client communication can help you stay organized and efficient, without whatever reanimation.

OpenPhone fits the pecker. With international call capabilities, splendid audio quality, and more must-have features, OpenPhone tin can brand your squad manage calls and texts better than e'er. And you lot won't take to spend extra merely to port telephone numbers when you lot 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 piece of work on Hangouts/Google Meet anymore?

A recent update to the Google Run into (formerly Hangouts) app removed support for third-political party backups, which means your Google Vox letters and phone calls won't sync upwardly with your Hangouts app anymore.

Why is my Google Vocalisation not ringing?

First, check the "Exercise not disturb" toggle in your Google Vocalism settings. Side by side, confirm that the "Calls" department of your settings has all phone options turned on. Tap effectually within the "Calls" department for 10 seconds to make sure everything is working properly. Finally, confirm you are signed into Google Voice make certain that the "Calls" department has all phone options turned on by toggling each option. Tap effectually within the "Calls" department 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 lot have to have a Google Vocalism number with the required plan. The bones free Google Phonation account tin can only text and call domestically. In-person calls and texts are no problem, just international calling features require an upgraded subscription for at least $16/month per user. The other option is the more expensive Google Voice for G Suite (which too means making Android apps) which doesn't mention annihilation well-nigh international options without boosted purchases.