Voicemails are a great feature that often go overlooked. It's nice being able to know who called and why, but if your voicemails aren't loading that can be a problem. In this article, I'll explain why your Google Pixel can't load voicemail and how to fix it.
How It Should Work
Normally you should be able to access and listen to any voicemails that have been left for you. There are multiple ways to do this. If you are seeing a Voicemail notification on your screen, you should be able to swipe down from the top of your screen and select Voicemail to listen. You can also try calling your voicemail by opening the Phone app, then pressing and holding 1 on the keypad.
Personally, I think the easiest way to check your voicemails is through the Phone app. In the app your can select the More option in the top right corner. Next, press Settings then Voicemail. Turn on Visual Voicemail and you should be able to access what you're looking for.
If these methods don't seem to be working, keep reading.
Make Sure Your Google Pixel Has Service
You can confirm the status of you Pixel's service connection in the Settings app or by swiping down from the top of your screen. Voicemails won't load without service. It's also possible that your voicemails are loading at a slower speed if you have poor connection.
Restart Your Google Pixel
A simple restart can be used to fix any minor software problems, including when your voicemails won't load! It's easy to do, simply press and hold the power button on your Pixel for 10-15 seconds. Your screen will prompt you with the option to Restart. Once you select Restart your phone will automatically power down.
Once the restart is complete you can power your Google Pixel back on and check to see if your voicemails are loading again.
Clear The Phone App Cache
Clearing out the cache from your calling app can fix a variety of issues often tied to the phone app. Just like the restart, cache clearing can be accomplished in a few simple steps.
- Open the Settings app.
- Select Apps and Notifications.
- Press See All, then Phone.
- In the Phone tab, click Storage then Clear Cache.
Clear Phone App Storage
Next let's clear up the storage on the Phone app to make sure you have enough space for any voicemails to load. It's possible your voicemails aren't loading right now because you don't have storage for it. There are a few ways to clear up storage.
You can set your phone to free up space automatically by opening the Settings app, going to the Storage tab and turning on Smart Storage. This will clear away any unnecessary data that's taking up space on your Pixel and continue to do so automatically.
You can also manually free up storage space by opening the Settings app going to the Storage tab and selecting Free Up Space. This will give you the option to select which items you'd like to delete. Pressing Free Up will delete any selected items and you'll have successfully cleared up storage space for your voicemails to load.
Reset Network Settings
Resetting the network settings on your Google Pixel is different from a soft reset because it resets your cellular, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi settings to their factory defaults. Before trying this fix it's important that you back-up your device first. It's also helpful to have your Wi-Fi passwords written down; you'll have to re-enter them when you power your phone back on.
Ideally this will fix the voicemail issue. To complete a network settings reset, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap System.
- Select Advanced.
- Tap Reset Options, then Wi-Fi, Mobile, and Bluetooth.
- Select Reset Settings to confirm the action. If you have a password or PIN you'll be prompted to enter it here. After entering it, your phone will automatically begin the reset.
Contact Your Wireless Carrier
If you've tried all of the steps above and your voicemail still isn't loading we recommend reaching out to your wireless carrier for additional help. You carrier controls your voicemail and they might be able to help. For more information on how to get in touch with your carrier click here.
You can also find the contact information for some of the major carriers below:
- Verizon: 1-(800)-922-0204
- Sprint: 1-(888)-211-4727
- AT&T: 1-(800)-331-0500
- T-Mobile: 1-(877)-746-0909
Enjoy Your Google Pixel's Voicemail!
I hope by now you've either been able to fix your Google Pixel so it's loading voicemails again, or have the information necessary to get additional assistance with the problem. Let us know which fix worked for you in the comments below!
