How to Fix Voicemail Not Working On iPhone

Voicemail is an essential feature for iPhone users, allowing you to receive voice messages when you’re unavailable. However, if your voicemail suddenly stops working, it can feel frustrating—especially if you rely on it for important calls. Thankfully, most voicemail issues are minor and can be quickly fixed with some simple troubleshooting.

In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through step-by-step solutions to help you fix voicemail issues on both new and older iOS versions.

Why Your Voicemail Might Not Be Working

Before jumping into the fixes, it’s helpful to understand some of the common reasons why voicemail may stop working:

• Voicemail not set up correctly
• Network connection issues
• Software glitches in the Phone app
• Outdated carrier settings
• Call forwarding enabled
• iOS bugs or compatibility issues

Fix Voicemail Not Working On iPhone 

In this article, we will be discussing how you can fix voicemail not working on your iPhone.

1. Check If Voicemail Is Set Up Properly

Voicemail might not be working simply because it wasn’t set up correctly.

Steps to check and set up voicemail:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap Voicemail at the bottom-right corner.
3. If you see a Set Up Now option, tap it and follow the on-screen instructions.

If voicemail is already set up and still not working, move on to the next fix.

2. Close and Reopen the Phone App

The Phone app can sometimes glitch, causing voicemail to malfunction.

Steps to force close and reopen the app:

1. On iPhone X and newer models:
   • Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle to see all open apps.
2. On iPhone 8 and earlier models:
   • Double-press the home button to open the app switcher.
3. Find the Phone app and swipe it up to close it.
4. Reopen the Phone app and check if the voicemail is working.

3. Toggle Airplane Mode On and Off

Refreshing your cellular connection can fix voicemail issues.

Steps to toggle Airplane Mode:

1. Open Control Center:
   • On newer models: swipe down from the top-right corner.
   • On older models: swipe up from the bottom.
2. Tap the Airplane Mode icon to turn it on.
3. Wait 10 seconds.
4. Tap the Airplane Mode icon again to turn it off.

4. Turn Cellular Data Off and On

Voicemail relies on a stable cellular connection. Resetting cellular data can help.

Steps to reset cellular data:

1. Open Control Center.
2. Tap the Cellular Data icon to turn it off.
3. Wait for 30 seconds.
4. Tap the Cellular Data icon again to turn it on.

5. Check for Carrier Settings Update

Your carrier sends occasional updates to improve network connectivity and voicemail performance.

Steps to check for carrier updates:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap General and then About.
3. Wait a few seconds—if an update is available, a pop-up will appear.
4. Tap Update to install.

6. Disable Call Forwarding

If call forwarding is enabled, incoming calls may bypass voicemail.

Steps to disable call forwarding:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Phone.
3. Select Call Forwarding.
4. Make sure the toggle is off.

7. Reset Your Voicemail Password

Sometimes, voicemail issues are linked to your password.

Steps to reset voicemail password:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Phone.
3. Select Change Voicemail Password.
4. Enter a new password and confirm.

If you can’t remember your voicemail password, you may need to contact your carrier to reset it.

8. Enable Automatic Date and Time

Incorrect date and time settings can cause voicemail issues.

Steps to enable automatic date and time:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap General and then Date & Time.
3. Turn on the toggle for Set Automatically.

9. Reset Network Settings

Resetting your network settings can fix more complex voicemail-related issues.

Steps to reset network settings:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap General.
3. Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Tap Reset and select Reset Network Settings.
5. Enter your passcode if prompted and confirm.

Note: Resetting network settings will erase saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth connections, and VPN settings.

10. Update Your iPhone’s iOS

Apple regularly releases updates that address bugs and improve voicemail functionality.

Steps to update your iOS:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap General and then Software Update.
3. If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

11. Contact Your Carrier

If none of the above steps work, the issue may be with your carrier.

Steps to get carrier support:

• Call your carrier’s support number.
• Visit their website to check for service outages.
• Request a voicemail reset if necessary.

RELATED GUIDES:

• How To Fix Spotify Not Working On iOS
• How To Customize App Icons On iOS
• Is AppleCare Worth for Ma acBook Pro/Air or iPhone

Final Words

In most cases, voicemail issues can be resolved by following the steps in this guide. However, if the problem persists even after contacting your carrier, it might be time to visit an Apple Store for further assistance.

Have you tried any of these steps, or do you have another fix that worked for you? Let me know in the comments below or share your experience!