voicemail not working on iphone

How To Fix Voicemail Not Working On iPhone?

Did you know the fact that voicemail on iPhone was once the unique selling proposition of Apple over other Android phones? It has become more common nowadays for people that they don’t really take it into account. Voicemail is an electronically recorded voice message left by the caller for the receiver to retrieve it later. However, you can set this voicemail depending on your circumstances; for example, “I’m busy right now, will call you back”. So, what to do if you are unable to leave a voicemail on your iPhone? In this article, you can find the best fixes for voicemail not working on iPhone

The First Criterion For Voicemail On Iphone Not Working

The First Criterion For Voicemail On Iphone Not Working

Starting from the scratch: Check for voicemail enabled on your iPhone. You can have this method as the first stepping stone to fix voicemail not working on iPhone. Here is how to do this technique   

  • Go to iPhone Settings
  • Open the Phone option
  • Scroll down to see “Change Voicemail Password.” 

Look for the “Change Voicemail Password” option on your iPhone settings, it means the voicemail feature is active on your iPhone. Elseways, open the Phone app and tap the voicemail button to enable it on your iPhone. Contrastingly, force quit the Phone app & open it again to get rid of the voicemail issue on iPhone. Let’s see!   

The Phone App – Force Quit & Restart 

The Phone App - Force Quit & Restart 

If you’ve enabled voicemail on your iPhone and find it to be inactive yet, try this method instead. This is one of the vintage ideas that could seamlessly answer why voicemail is not working on iPhone

  • Slide down the iPhone screen from bottom to top
  • You’ll see each app on the floating window
  • Find and locate the phone app 
  • Tilt up the app to force close it

Next, return to the iPhone’s home screen and open the Phone app again. Then check for any new voicemails on your iPhone. However, troubleshooting the network is essential to overcome a voicemail issue, which is clearly explained in the forthcoming topics.

Turn Off And On Mobile Network

Turn Off And On Mobile Network

Having trouble with the iPhone voicemail not working again? Continue reading this content for more fixes. In particular, this is a simple method to do – turning off & on the iPhone’s internet can fix voicemail not working on it.

  • Go to iPhone Settings
  • Click Mobile Data
  • Tap once to turn it off
  • Again click the toggle bar to enable it

After completing these steps, your device’s internet resets, this might enhance your signal strength. The secret behind this method is it will clear any glitches in the network connectivity & refreshes the firmware. 

Restart iOS Device

Restart iOS Device

Restarting is an universally performed technique when the digital gadgets are inoperable or malfunctioning. Sometimes, even a small initiation could clear the obstacles in voicemail on iphone not working. Make use of the following steps to restart your iPhone

  • Press & hold the volume + side keys
  • Then, the Power-off slider pops in your screen
  • Push the slider to the right 
  • Wait for 30 sec to get your iPhone switched off
  • Tap & hold the side key until the Apple logo appears on the screen

Update iOS

Update iOS

Generally, updating the iPhone software is crucial in fastening the device’s performance. It also helps in fixing the voicemail on iphone not working. You can access added features on your iPhone after the iOS update.

  • Launch iPhone Settings
  • Go to General
  • Click Software Update

Look for any updates available now, and click Download to install automatically. Now, you need to restart your iOS device which helps to explore more features on the phone.

Disable The Call Forwarding

Disable The Call Forwarding

The call forwarding feature that is enabled on your iPhone could restrict voicemail on your iPhone. First, you’ve to know why voicemail not working on iPhone during call forwarding. It is because your cellular call gets switched to your alternative mobile number when someone calls you. To avoid this, do the actions given below

  • Open Settings App on your iPhone
  • Click on the Call options
  • Tap on the Call Forwarding

Check whether the toggle bar next to the call forwarding is green or grey. Make sure that it appears in grey colour that denotes the call forwarding is disabled on your iPhone.

Get Phone Carrier Support

Get Phone Carrier Support

Do you find the above techniques are less effective on voicemail not working on your iPhone? Then your telecom network might be the reason for the voicemail not working on iPhone. You can get support from the Phone Carrier to verify that the voicemail issue is not within the device. Also, you can enquire about the expected time for the active services. 

Clear Voicemail Box

Clear Voicemail Box

Generally, the voicemail box won’t receive any messages once it runs out of storage. The iPhone has more space to store files, whereas the voicemail has only limited storage. Receiving more spam calls on your iPhone leaves more voicemails & gets storage filled quickly. Get rid of the dumped voicemails by following the actions given below 

  • Open the Phone app on your iOS device
  • Click Voicemail
  • Tap on Edit(at the top right corner)
  • Delete the Voicemails that you find spammy

You can also get backups for your voicemails and save them for future purposes. Through this trick, you’ll get the voicemail feature to work back on your iPhone. After deleting all the voicemails & still not receiving further voicemails, update Carrier settings on your iPhone which is given below in detail.  

Update Carrier Settings

Update Carrier Settings

It is a less noticeable issue, but it can lead to voicemail not working on the iPhone. You need to update your iPhone’s carrier settings to eliminate iPhone voicemail not working. Take advantage of the steps below to update Carrier settings

  • Launch iPhone Settings
  • Open the “General” tab
  • Click About to see Carrier Settings
  • Get along with on-screen guidance to update Carrier settings

You need to download carrier update to modify your iPhone carrier settings. After completing these steps, test if the voicemail not working on iPhone is rectified.

Disable Cellular Network & Relaunch It

Disable Cellular Network & Relaunch It

Turning off and on the mobile network could fix the voicemail on iphone not working. This technique strengthens the network connection within your iPhone. Consequently, it will boost the voicemail feature, and you can receive voice messages on time. To help you with this method, here are the following steps

  • Open iPhone Settings
  • Click on “Cellular” option
  • Toggle off the Cellular Data
  • Wait a minute, then turn on the network

                         (or)

  • Head to Settings App on your iPhone 
  • Tap on the Airplane mode to turn on
  • Wait for a few seconds to disable it

After that, you could receive a voicemail again, which shows the method is successful on your iPhone. When the result is not positive, move on to the next methods, through which you can modify cellular network settings.

Check If The Cellular Network Is Strong

Check If The Cellular Network Is Strong

For voicemail not working on iPhone, it is vital to check whether your iPhone has a strong signal. At this point, you may ask, How is mobile network related to voicemail? The Visual voicemail feature allows reading the voicemails instead of listening to that, so a mobile Network is essential to use this feature. In the same way, disabling the mobile network will result in voicemail on iphone not working. To enable the cellular data, try the steps mentioned here

  • Establish iPhone Settings
  • Open Cellular
  • Enable the Cellular Data

In case you have less data on your iPhone, then try the below steps

  • Launch Settings app 
  • Tap on Cellular
  • Select Cellular Data Options
  • Switch to Low Data Mode

Take Advantage Of Wi-Fi Calling

Take Advantage Of Wi-Fi Calling

Out of network reach might be the reason for the voicemails not working on iPhone. Also, having a slow network on your iPhone might take more time to receive voicemails. In addition, calls on your iPhone end up with missed call notifications rather than ringing on your mobile.

Use Wi-Fi calling as the preferred method for phone calls on iPhone. Making calls this way can prevent your iPhone from disconnecting in the middle of the phone call. It also enhances the voicemail feature on your iPhone. You can also enjoy high audio clarity during phone calls and fast voicemail downloads. To enable the Wi-Fi calling feature on your iPhone, follow the steps below

  • Open Settings on your iPhone
  • Click on the “Phone” tab to view its options
  • Tap once on the Wi-Fi Calling to enable it

You can always enable this feature on your iPhone because it is free for calling. Ensure that you’re within the range to access the Wi-Fi Network.

Network Settings – Reset

Network Settings - Reset

Try this method when the above topics are not suitable for your iPhone voicemail not working. Resetting your iPhone network settings gives more possibilities for fixing your voicemail issues. On the contrary, facing issues during phone calls and mobile data errors could be sorted out by the iPhone reset. To make this method work on your device, 

  • Go through iPhone Settings > General
  • Click “Transfer or Reset iPhone.”
  • Tap on Reset>Reset Network Settings

Info: Reset Network Settings doesn’t modify any other settings on your iPhone.

Visual Voicemail Feature

Visual Voicemail Feature

Traditionally, iPhone users view their voicemails via the visual voicemail feature. This feature can be accessed only when the mobile network is enabled on your device. If the above techniques don’t fix iPhone voicemail not working, try to use visual voicemail feature.

  • Open the Phone app on your iOS device
  • Type your mobile number 
  • Enter the passcode (usually the last 4 digits of your mobile number)
  • Then click the pound key

Open the carrier through which you can view your voicemail in text format. If there is any problem while opening the voicemail, contact your phone carrier to know what causes the iPhone voicemail not working.

Switch To Custom Greeting

Switch To Custom Greeting

In any event, you might have neglected the custom greeting on your iPhone which later leads to voicemail not working on iPhone. If the default voicemail is enabled, then your callers will receive standard voice as “the subscriber is not available, and to leave a message…”. You can switch to custom for greeting your callers with your voice messages instead of the default.

  • Launch the iOS Phone app
  • Click the Voicemail
  • Click Greeting(on the top left corner of iPhone’s display)
  • Make sure that the Custom Greeting Message is enabled
  • Tap Record to register a new voice message
  • Click Save to make the changes

Reset Time Zone And Set Date & Time Automatically

Reset Time Zone And Set Date & Time Automatically

You must enable the “Set Date & Time Automatically” feature to repair iPhone voicemail not working. To check the time settings of your iPhone, stick with the below steps

  • Go to iPhone Settings
  • Click General
  • Open Date & Time
  • Switch to the “Set Date & Time Automatically” option

Turn Off Bluetooth

Turn Off Bluetooth

In some circumstances, Bluetooth interference might be the culprit in the issue of voicemail not working on iPhone. To overcome this condition, follow the actions mentioned below

  • Find the Settings App on your iPhone and open it
  • Tap on Bluetooth
  • Disable this feature

Once you complete all the steps,test if the voicemail not working on iPhone. Or else, it means the problem is other than the Bluetooth interference on your iPhone. So, you can toggle on the Bluetooth feature on your iPhone to get voicemails on your device.

Conclusion

When you’ve successfully fixed the voicemail not working on iphone, it means a lot to this article. Without the voicemail feature, there will be a significant loss to send/receive voice messages or greetings. You may not get intimations about formal meetings or family events, and it is possible to miss a business customer. Luckily, this article carries several fixes for your iPhone voicemail not working. Contacting the phone carrier to diagnose the issue with your iPhone’s voicemail would be an alternative solution. You need to contact the phone carrier as a last resort to fix your voicemail not working on iPhone.