Google Voice Not Working: 10 Common Issues And Solutions

Google Voice is a popular communication telephony solution available on the market. The system is loaded with cutting-edge features, such as desk phone compatibility, call blocking, spam detection, etc., which help agents tackle day-to-day communication. 

However, many users report multiple issues each month, ranging from poor audio quality, inability to make international calls, and failure to send messages to incoming calls not connecting. When Google Voice is not working well, it will negatively impact your brand’s communication.

In addition to these issues, Google Voice’s call forwarding and auto-attendant features are only available to higher-tier subscribers. So, it is only a good option for small businesses. 

If you are a large-scale entrepreneur, don’t settle for less. There are numerous alternatives to Google Voice, like Dialaxy. Dialaxy is one of the leading business phone systems, trusted by leading experts worldwide for excellence and innovation. 

This blog highlights the common issues in Google Voice with simple solutions. So, let’s get started. 🚀

What is Google Voice?

Google Voice is one of the most well-known VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) communication services offered by Google. It uses the Internet to manage and transmit all business phone calls and text messages across multiple touchpoints. 

The telephone service, Google Voice, is an affordable international calling option. It has a user-friendly interface that is loaded with advanced features such as call blocking, SMS forwarding, call forwarding, and voicemail transcription. These features make business communications more efficient, accessible, and professional.  

10 Most Common Issues with Solutions for Google Voice Not Working

Google Voice for Business is a versatile telecommunication tool that offers a range of functions, including free calls within the US, compatibility with Google Workspace products, number porting, and team call forwarding. Thus, it is ideal for small businesses, freelancers, and startups. However, like any other business communication technology, Google Voice also has multiple issues and glitches. The top 10 most common problems that you encounter are: 

1. Incoming Call Does Not Ring

Remember to keep an eye on your Google Voice tab. If you are inactive on your computer for a while, Google Voice may mute incoming calls. This could lead to missed calls and missed opportunities to communicate with potential prospects.

On the other hand, Google Voice may not work on iPhones and Android if the “do not disturb” mode is activated or if the call answering options are turned off.

To resolve such issues, follow these steps:

• Check your app settings to ensure that “incoming phone calls” are enabled.
• Verify that your device’s ringtone volume is turned up and that “do not disturb” mode is disabled in your device settings.
• Reinstall the latest app to eliminate any potential software glitches.

2. Google Voice not receiving calls 

Not receiving incoming calls is an unpleasant issue with Google Voice. It leads to missed calls and causes frustration among agents and callers. Poor internet connectivity or call forwarding settings can cause such problems. 

Users can follow the easily provided steps to resolve the issues effectively. 

• Configure your call-forwarding settings correctly and ensure that the call-forwarding is enabled. 
• Test with a different device to check if the issue is specific to your current device.

3. Google Voice not working on the iPhone

Some iPhone users may not be able to use Google Voice properly. They may experience issues such as crashes, incorrect app launching, or unexpected app behavior.  

You can easily troubleshoot problems in the following ways.

• Ensure your Google Voice app is updated to the latest version for compatibility with your iPhone’s operating system.
• Make sure the Google Voice app has the necessary permissions enabled, such as access to your microphone, contacts, and notifications.
• Sometimes, minor bugs can be fixed with a simple restart. Try restarting your iPhone to see if the problem still exists.

4. Google Voice call quality issues

Call quality is usually far better in VoIP phone service than in conventional phones. However, many people complain about Google Voice’s poor call quality.  

Such issues have greatly affected the effectiveness of communication. They are one of the key pain points driving customers towards other phone systems. 

To minimize the call quality issues, consider the following solutions. 

• Make sure you have a stable and fast internet connection for clear calls.
• Consider closing any unnecessary applications or browser tabs that may be using bandwidth and affecting your call quality.
• Switch to an Ethernet connection for a more reliable internet connection when using Google Voice on a computer.

5. Google Voice transcription errors 

Although Google Voice offers a transcription feature, transcription errors frequently occur. Such errors adversely affect the accuracy of the transcribed messages. To avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretations of information, it is critical to recognize the consequences of these mistakes. 

Here are a few steps to address such issues and they are:

• Always check your voicemail settings and ensure the voicemail transcription features are enabled. 
• Configure the language settings correctly in your Google Voice settings, which might be the result of transcription errors. 
• If you continuously encounter transcription errors, please report them to the Google Voice support team. They will address your concerns effectively. 

6. Google Voice account suspension

Your Google Voice account gets suspended if you violate any of Google’s terms of service. Then, you are restricted to the access of service. 

Here are a few steps to recover from an account. 

• Visit the Google Voice Help Center and review Google’s policies to ensure that you haven’t violated any rules. 
• If you think your account suspension was due to an error or need more explanation, contact Google support.

7. Google Voice Number Disappeared

One of the major issues of Google Vice is the sudden deletion of the phone number. This condition greatly affects the communication workflow, making it difficult to make inbound and outbound calls. 

Here are a few steps on how you can address this frustrating issue. 

• Verify that your number is still displayed under the “Account” section in your Google Voice settings to make sure it hasn’t been changed or erased.
• Simple steps such as restarting your phone or computer devices can clear temporary glitches and resolve the issues promptly. 
• After verifying the Google Voice settings and restarting your devices, if your number is still missing, get in touch with the Google Support team. 

💡 You might also like to read the “How to delete Google Voice account” blog if you want to discontinue with Google Voice.  

8. Unable to attach images to texts

Occasionally, visual help is necessary to convey your point. For example, an image could demonstrate how you handled a client concern or show the location of a product delivery.

When using Google Voice for texting, it’s not possible to copy and paste photos into SMS. Also, only .jpg, .png, and .gif files under 2 MB can be sent. GIFs larger than 2 MB cannot be sent.

Update your Google Voice app to fix image attachment issues. If that doesn’t work, consider using a phone system with more flexibility for file types and size restrictions. 

9. Google Voice integration problems

Google Voice lets you interact with various services and apps to enhance communication. However, it does not integrate with Google services such as Google Chat or Google Meet. It further lacks functionalities like invoice template integration for streamlined financial operations, which can negatively impact productivity. 

You can follow the simple provided issues to tackle the integration problems. 

• Verify the update status of the app you are trying to integrate with Google Voice. 
• Reconfigure integration settings as needed by opening a Google Voice website.
• Reach out to the support team if the integration issues are not solved. 

10. Google Voice is not sending messages

Failure to send a message is one of Google Voice’s most frustrating issues. These issues arise from various factors, such as poor internet connectivity, app settings, and software glitches that disturb business communication. 

Here are easy steps to address such issues:

• Ensure you have a stable connection to send messages through Google Voice. 
• Locate Google Voice and clear its cache and data. 
• Reinstall the Google Voice from the Google Play Store (for Android) or the App Store (for iOS). 

5 Google Voice Drawbacks You Should Know

The top five Google Voice Drawbacks are: 

I. Dependence on Internet Quality

Google Voice requires a reliable Internet connection to work correctly. Even small disruptions can lead to issues such as dropped calls or low audio quality. This reliance on the internet can be a drawback, especially in areas with limited internet access.

II. Integration limitation with other Google services

Google Voice is a Google product; however, it doesn’t work well with other Google services such as  Google Meet or Chat. It lacks advanced and essential features, such as the ability to integrate invoice templates for more efficient financial operations. 

III. Limited global availability

Google Voice is not available in many countries worldwide, which can make it more challenging for users in these countries to access its services. Thus, individuals and business agents must make sure that Google Voice is not banned in their country before using it as a main form of communication. 

IV. Privacy Concerns

Google Voice collects, retains, and uses various user data, including call history, recorded conversations, SMS messages, and voicemail greetings data to provide personalized customer service. This may raise certain privacy issues, and the data are prone to risks if strong security is not provided.

V. Strictly permitted to Premium Rate Numbers

Remember, you can’t use Google Voice for Business to call overseas premium rate numbers, like US numbers starting with “900.” The caller needs to pay extra for long-distance national and international calls. Thus, to cut down unnecessary expenses, it’s better to use a different phone provider. 

Is Google Voice not working for you? Consider switching to Dialaxy

Consider switching to Dialaxy for the following reasons. 

A. Affordable pricing

Dialaxy is affordable for your business compared to other available VoIP platforms. Our pricing plans are divided into three components to make them accessible for companies of all sizes. Rest assured, there are no hidden fees or additional service charges while using our cloud-based phone system. 

Our pricing plans include:

• Essential: $20 per user per month
• Plus Plan: $40 per user per month
• Pro Plan(popular): $60 per user per month

B. Wide Coverage 

Top industry leaders trust Dialaxy for their top-notch contact center solution services. It provides local, toll-free, or virtual numbers to more than 100 countries with call and text capabilities and ensures smooth communication across all levels regardless of distance. 

C. Advanced VoIP Features

Dialaxy is complete call center software loaded with advanced VoIP features that monitor and optimize communication from startups to enterprises. Cutting-edge features such as global calling, call transfer, unified callbox, call transfer, shared phone number, and interactive voice response (IVR) help agents refine communication workflow strategies to foster seamless teamwork and boost productivity. 

D. CRM Integrations

Popular CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems like Salesforce and HubSpot, including messaging, storage, sales, and marketing tools, can be easily integrated with Dialaxy.

The integration capabilities with your existing system help you eliminate manual data entry and potential errors. You can also view client data, such as call history, call logs, and notes, within their CRM interface to provide customized service. 

E. Exceptional customer support

With Dialaxy, you can expect only exceptional customer service to assist your companies at every stage. The support team is always ready to offer technical support, onboarding, and troubleshooting to ensure a seamless experience.

Additionally, the integration of Chatbot will provide around-the-clock service, even outside working hours, to address customer queries. Thus, switching to Dialaxy is the most effective and successful solution if Google Voice is not working for you. 

Conclusion

Businesses use Google Voice, a voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) phone service, to make and receive calls at any time and from any location. Its powerful features, such as Google Calendar integration, voicemail transcription, and spam detection, ensure smooth communication.  

However, Businesses should be aware of Google Voice’s common problems, such as missed rings or poor-quality business calls. They will receive inadequate customer support and face multiple issues while porting numbers, even after paying a huge sum of money. 

Losing a Google Voice number is a nightmare for any entrepreneur. Your number might get deleted at any time, greatly affecting the communication workflow. But don’t worry, the world doesn’t end here because Dialaxy has got your back. 

FAQs

Does Google Voice work without a phone number?

No, Google Voice does not work without a phone number. You must have a US-based phone number to get started with Google Voice. 

What are some common technical issues with Google Voice?

The common technical issues with Google Voice are:

1. The incoming call does not ring
2. Can’t access the Google Voice Account
3. Failure to send messages
4. Inability to make international calls
5. Google Voice Sound Quality Issues
6. Can’t find your number

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

If you have a Google Voice number with the necessary plan, you can make international calls. With a basic free Google Voice account, you can only text and call within the US. You can make in-person calls and send texts without any issues, but to make international calls, you’ll need to upgrade to a subscription that costs at least $20 per user per month.

Is Google Voice compatible with all devices?

No, Google Voice is not compatible with all devices. Here is the list of devices with which it is compatible.

1. Android
2. iPhone
3. Tablet
4. iPad
5. Personalized computer
6. Desk phone
7. Laptop

Why is Google Voice not working on my Android?

Connectivity issues, integration issues with existing software, and outdated app versions are some of the common reasons Google Voice does not work on Android. 

Here are the simple steps you can follow to overcome such issues. 

1. Make sure you have a reliable internet connection. 
2. Verify that your app is updated to the latest version. You can upgrade from the Play Store. Go to Google Voice settings and turn off the “Do Not Disturb” mode.
3. Make sure the Google Voice is linked to your connect number while switching your phone. 
4. In order to make international calls, make sure you have enough credit.
5. Study the current status of the Google Voice Service website. If Google Voice is down, you can simply check the website to ensure its status.