Popularity isn't e'er a sign of a smooth-functioning internet phone service. Take Google Voice for instance. It'due south one of the near 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 Voice not working can reverberate poorly on your brand.

Every bit a professional person or a minor business organization owner, you need to be aware of all the roadblocks you may confront (and if they tin can even be solved) before you choose your phone 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 client experiences and inefficiencies within your team.

So what Google Vox issues practice users face? And since Google doesn't even offering client back up, how can you accost them? Nosotros'll assistance you lot troubleshoot nine common problems on the app, and then explicate how switching to a Google Voice alternative similar OpenPhone can exist a one-step remedy for all your GV woes.

nine Common Google Voice Bug

Google Vocalisation doesn't have a flawless track record when information technology comes to VoIP calls — far from it. But entering "Google Vocalism non working" on a Google search brings upward a number of complaints, questions, and articles about known (and sometimes unresolved) problems. If you're currently using Google Voice and are having issues with crucial concern phone features, y'all're non the simply ane.

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

Nosotros've identified nine common bug with the internet phone service below.

1. Unable to Access Google Voice Account

At minimum, your Vocalization over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service should be one you lot can access. Just if you're running into errors with Google Voice, this could be an cyberspace connection issue. Or, yous may need to go into your Google Play Store or App Store to update to the latest version of the Voice app. Y'all can also run into issues if you are trying to accept 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 not be able to access Vox through your Google accounts.

If you lot're using Google Vocalisation for Google Workspace, admins actually demand to assign each user a Google Voice license before assigning telephone numbers (and each number tin can only be assigned once). When admins forget to turn on Google Voice for each individual business relationship or accidentally re-assign a telephone number, this could crusade problems that team members can't prepare on their own.

Though information technology'southward a fairly easy fix — licenses and phone numbers can be managed through the "Users" section of the Google Admin console — getting started with Google Vocalism for business can be a huge hassle.

two. No Ringing for Incoming Calls

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

You've made information technology into Google Vox. So, why aren't you actually getting alerted when you have incoming calls or SMS messages? A long listing of missed calls or voicemails is never a skilful sign for customer satisfaction.

Open the app settings to run into if you've toggled on "Practice not disturb" mode (and plough it back off if then).

Google Voice not working: Screenshot of do not disturb mode

If non, tap on the "Calls" section of your settings to see if you've accidentally turned off call answering on the spider web, Android device, or iPhone.

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

But even if all your settings are perfect on the browser, Google Voice will however instantly mute audio after you lot stop interacting with the platform for a while — even if you're just on the side by side tab over! The only fix is to jump back on the tab and click around for effectually ten seconds.

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

iii. Tin't Make International Calls

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

Kickoff, free accounts cannot make any calls or texts outside of the U.S. While you tin can purchase calling credits (not possible via the app for iPhone users), you're only allowed to take $70 max in your account.

If you lot update to Voice for Google Workspace, you may pay every bit much as $20 per user per month and withal merely be able to send texts within the U.Due south. That's on elevation of the other texting limits for Google Voice.

Google Vocalism also states that users may have bug with international calls on their phone if another app conflicts with the service. However, it doesn't specify what apps can cause these bug, so it'll take some trial and error to figure out which app is at fault — if another app is even the issue. You may also need to attempt restarting the Google Voice app in case it's just a glitch.

iv. Major Sound Quality Issues With Google Vocalisation

When you lot'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 concern. Later on repeating "your audio is breaking up" for the hundredth time, your clients may actually suspension up with your brand for proficient. 💔

Bold that y'all're not facing any Wi-Fi or mobile data bug of your own, this is a Google Voice problem that users lonely tin't fix. But with no customer support for complimentary users, getting help may not be as possible as you'd hope. With no one to ask, information technology's hard to say if what you're experiencing is an internet connection event, a platform issue, or something else.

five. Google Vocalization Loading Dull on Browser

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

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

"For the last calendar month or so, the Google Vox website acts similar I'thousand on dialup. Even when I blazon text messages, the characters take 1-ii seconds to echo to the screen." ( Reddit research )

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

In that location are a few potential causes that y'all can check:

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

You can as well endeavour a reboot if you experience Google Voice not working on your browser, or double check Google Voice'southward system and browser requirements. However, if none of these are at fault and wearisome loading is a consistent result, in that location's unfortunately not much that can exist done on your part. Switching to a Google Voice alternative like OpenPhone may be your best bet.

six. Google Vocalism Number Disappeared

GIF of Mrs. Maisel from Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

We admit, this issue may sound a little weird. But information technology's truthful: These days, fifty-fifty your Google Phonation number tin ghost you. 👻

There are more means this can happen than you think. It makes sense for VoIP services to revoke access if you fail to pay, but Google volition even take back your telephone number in the following instances:

  • You lot don't brand a call, ship a text, mind to your voicemail, or open the Voice app on an Apple tree or Android phone in six months. Yous'll only have 45 days to reclaim the number before it's gone for skilful.
  • You port in a number only don't pay a $20 fee to proceed your Google-provided number as a secondary number inside xc days.

For business owners, the gamble of losing a telephone number is never ideal, fifty-fifty if it's easily avoidable. This effect is pretty much unheard of with most legitimate paid internet phone services.

7. Can't Port Telephone Number

Google Vocalisation states that it's able to port phone numbers, but users may really encounter a number of porting issues on the platform. For example, Vocalization does not support porting for Canadian or toll-gratis numbers. And y'all'll get stuck if yous don't pay a $20 porting fee per number. The process doesn't make information technology easy either, as users report:

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

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

A smooth transition of all your business organization phone numbers into Google Vox 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 yous're not getting voicemail transcriptions, you lot wouldn't be the offset. Some users written report issues with both commitment and transcription quality. At that place could be a few reasons for this:

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

Even if your upshot is resolved, go on in mind that Google Voice is still pretty express when it comes to options for receiving voicemail transcriptions. Google Voice alternatives similar OpenPhone support more than integrations, allowing you lot to get transcripts on more than convenient channels.

9. Unable to Make Vox Calls on Hangouts

Did you choose Google Vocalism as your business concern phone service due to its integration with Hangouts? Google has bad news for yous.

Starting time, Hangouts will be going to the growing Google Graveyard this yr (RIP). ⚰️ 2d, some users are already unable to make Google Voice calls via Hangouts. This is a known issue that volition not be fixed.

Using Google Voice means you'll accept to switch between two different platforms to message your team and manage phone calls. Or, if you want to employ Google Vocalism for both your squad and customer communications, things might go a niggling messy. The platform doesn't offer a bang-up way to organize your inbox or contacts — largely because the Google Voice app wasn't originally built for business use.

A Google Voice culling that's created with business needs in mind (like OpenPhone) tin can help yous achieve much smoother advice management.

Google Vocalisation Not 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 organisation owners tin can't beget to deal with. Google Voice not working at a critical time — for example, during a phone call — can lead to your make losing a sale and losing trust.

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

Hither'southward how switching to OpenPhone can help you overcome Google Voice's nine major bug for businesses.

i. Easy Setup and Admission

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

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

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

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

put a ring on it GIF of Beyonce

Equally much as we'd beloved for you to, we know you're not going to actively use OpenPhone (or any VoIP app) every second. If you're not on a sales or client back up squad, you may non jump on your business organization telephone app at all unless y'all get a call or text. And OpenPhone won't force y'all to.

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

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

Of course, you tin always prepare business hours to avoid getting calls at the incorrect times. But let us know when you're actually working, and nosotros promise not to wake yous in the middle of your sweet dreams.

iii. Seamless International Calls

OpenPhone offers free, unlimited calls, SMS, and MMS in the U.S. and Canada with all plans, starting at just $10 per user per month. ✨ Information technology's affordable, and all users can make international calls at very depression rates.

What'south more, you tin can get a U.Due south. number (or Canadian number) fifty-fifty if you lot're living abroad and avoid paying international calling fees.

4. Crystal-Clear Audio Quality

Dissimilar Google Voice, which lets down users when it comes to sound quality, OpenPhone offers superlative-notch audio for both incoming and approachable calls. Take it from our users:

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

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

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

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

5. Fast-Loading Web App

Quicksilver Speeding GIF from X-Men

If you lot're using Google Vocalism considering of its cross-platform compatibility, the adept news is, you tin withal become this perk when you switch to OpenPhone — only you won't have new wrinkles by the time 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 can rely on, and one that offers back up if you lot exercise run into issues.

half dozen. Phone Numbers Yous 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 Vox situation at worst. Your business concern phone service should never cancel your phone number merely because you're not using information technology — even with notice.

At OpenPhone, we know a consistent phone number is crucial for a good 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 brand sure yous don't do and then on accident, we've even labeled this part of your settings the "Danger Zone" and require y'all to physically type "delete" earlier your number goes away. ⚠

7. Simple and Gratuitous Porting Process

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

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

  • Create an OpenPhone business relationship.
  • Unlock your Google Vox number. (Annotation: Google charges a one-fourth dimension $3 fee to transfer your number away from Google Voice.)
  • Submit this 1-minute porting asking form.

Switching from most other VoIP services is even simpler and merely requires 2 steps: creating your OpenPhone account and filling out the course.

OpenPhone won't charge you any porting fees. And to requite you something else to celebrate, OpenPhone supports Canadian and cost-costless numbers, too. 🥳

viii. Reliable Voicemail Transcriptions

Screenshot of an OpenPhone voicemail transcription

Your team members aren't always in a place where they tin have business calls. Only even in the middle of a loud music festival, a voicemail transcription can help them determine the urgency of a telephone call or remind them to recollect later.

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 lot're on your OpenPhone Admin Dashboard, information technology only takes a minute to go voicemail transcripts (and the voicemail sound) 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, yous may even go more reliable and authentic transcripts than on Google Voice.

9. Effective Team Advice Tools

Screenshot of OpenPhone team communication

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

OpenPhone is congenital with a dedicated section for all your team members. You can easily continue rail of your internal communications and attain out to the right person fast. Merely tap their names to start conversations and interact! 🙌

Plus, you can organize your business contacts based on everything from visitor to part, so yous can hands search for clients when information technology's time to reach out. Using OpenPhone is a lot less hectic than Google Voice. While Google Vox spreads your calls, text messages, and voicemail across 3 different inboxes, OpenPhone uses one unified inbox.

If you do want a dedicated team messaging platform, feel free to use Slack. OpenPhone allows you to encounter voicemails, texts, and missed calls on the platform when you integrate your business relationship with Slack, then you'll still get a fairly streamlined experience.

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

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

Screenshot of the call screen in the OpenPhone app

Google Vox not working tin be a costly issue if you're using it as your business phone. When seeking a VoIP service for professional employ, using a platform that'south built for reliable team and client communication can help yous stay organized and efficient, without any downtime.

OpenPhone fits the bill. With international call capabilities, first-class sound quality, and more must-take features, OpenPhone can make your team manage calls and texts better than e'er. And you won't accept to spend extra just 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 contempo update to the Google Meet (formerly Hangouts) app removed support for third-party backups, which means your Google Vox messages and phone calls won't sync up with your Hangouts app anymore.

Why is my Google Vocalization non ringing?

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

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

In gild to make international phone calls, you lot have to accept a Google Vocalization number with the required program. The basic gratuitous Google Voice account can merely text and phone call domestically. In-person calls and texts are no trouble, simply international calling features crave an upgraded subscription for at least $16/month per user. The other selection is the more than expensive Google Voice for G Suite (which besides ways making Android apps) which doesn't mention anything nearly international options without additional purchases.