Google Voice Landline Phone Troubleshooting

Step 1

Sign in to Google Voice. Click on "Settings," select "Google Voice Settings" and click on the "Phone" tab to make a drop-down menu appear. In the drop-down menu, click on the box next to "Google Chat" to enable it. Look for the "Upgrade your Account" button located of the left side of the screen. Click on the button and follow the on-screen directions.

Step 2

Double-check your Google Voice account to make sure that it has the exact same user name as your Gmail user name. The names are linked for making and receiving phone calls in Gmail. If it is not the same, change your Google Voice account to match your Gmail account name. For instance, if your Gmail account name is JonD@gmail.com, your Google Voice account user name must be JonD@gmail.com in order for it to work.

Step 3

Try to make a phone call in Gmail with Google Voice. If it does not work, you may be connected to chat through a browser that does not have a voice and video chat plug-in installed. Click on "Settings" in Gmail and click on the "Chat tab." If it is installed, you will see the plug-in under the "Voice and Video Chat" section of the screen. If you don't see the plug-in, download the plug-in from google.com and install it. Google Voice should now work for you.

Step 4

Check your microphone and webcam if you are experiencing problems broadcasting video or audio during a phone call. Go to the "Start" menu located in the lower left corner of the screen. Select "Settings," select "Control Panel" and double-click on the "Sounds and Audio Devices" icon. The "Sounds and Audio Devices" window will open up. Click on the "Volume" tab, then click the "Advanced" tab located in the "Device Volume" box. Click on "Microphone" to enable it and turn up the volume if it is too low. Click on the webcam that you are using to enable it. Click the "x" to close the "Volume Control" box and click "OK."

Step 5

Go to "Google Voice Settings." Click the "Gear" icon located at the right of the screen. Click on "Voice Settings," then click the "Phones" tab. Add your landline phone number to the list by typing it in and clicking "Add" to get a phone call forwarded to your landline. While still in the "Phones" tab, click the "Edit" tab under the phone number. Click the "Show Advanced Settings" link to make a window appear. Look for the "Ring Schedule" section. You may have your landline scheduled not to ring. Click on the "Calls" tab. If "Do Not Disturb" is selected, any incoming landline calls will be directed straight to your voice mail. Click on the checkbox to deselect "Do Not Disturb" and click "Save" to save the changes.

Step 6

Call your phone provider to verify that your landline phone is still active and connected if no other step works for you. It may have been disconnected or interrupted due to technical difficulties or late payments.