Voicemail, Visual Voicemail or voicemail app not working

Voicemail works the same way for nearly all phones that use the Verizon network. Here’s how to have the best Verizon voicemail experience:

• Android / other device users - Dial *86 from your phone to access your mailbox. For the best experience, try the Visual Voicemail app.
• iPhone and Google Pixel users - Use the Voicemail tab in the Phone app.

Also, make sure:

• You’re in a Verizon coverage area.
• You have a stable connection to the internet.
• You can make and receive calls and text messages.
• Your Voicemail box and/or app has been set up.
• Call Forwarding settings are turned off.

If you’re having trouble setting up your voicemail box for the first time, these may be reasons:

• Verizon Voicemail isn’t on your account - Check your My Verizon Services & Perks page to be sure voicemail shows as being on your account.
• Call Forwarding - This feature can interfere with your voicemail service. Make sure Call Forwarding settings are turned off.

If these suggestions don’t resolve your issue, visit our Troubleshooter.

Your Verizon voicemail service may not work as expected, or your voicemail messages fail to be delivered, for reasons including:

• You’re using your device in an area without Verizon network coverage.
• You don’t have a voicemail feature on your account.
• You didn’t set up your voicemail mailbox.
• Call Forwarding is on.
• Your voicemail mailbox is full.
• You’re trying to access the voicemail number from a phonebook contact you created, and the entry has “pause” or “wait” operators set up.

Here’s what you can do if voicemail isn’t working on your phone:

• Be sure your device is connected to the internet through the Verizon mobile data network or a Wi-Fi network.If your device can’t connect to the internet, it can’t connect to the Voicemail app.
• Try accessing voicemail by dialing the voicemail number *86 from your phone’s keypad. If you can’t make phone calls, you may also not be able to dial in to your mailbox.
• Make sure your Call Forwarding settings are turned off. This feature can interfere with your voicemail service.

If your Voicemail app isn’t working correctly, you can dial *86 to access your Voicemail box. Follow the voice prompts to get your messages.

If you can connect to your Voicemail box by dialing *86 then try to solve the Voicemail app issue by:

• Restarting your phone
• Clearing the cache on the Voicemail app
• Resetting the Voicemail app.

If this doesn't solve your issue, visit our Troubleshooter.

If you aren’t being notified when a new message is delivered:

• Make sure you’re able to receive text messages.
• Check the notification settings on your phone. Make sure Voicemail app notifications are on.

So voicemail messages can be delivered to your mailbox, you must set up your mailbox. Dial the voicemail number *86 and follow the voice prompts. Or, access the Voicemail app on your phone.

Keep in mind: If you reach the maximum number of messages in your mailbox, callers can’t leave messages until you delete some. Visit our Voicemail Comparison Chart to learn about storage capacity.

If you’re using your phone outside the Verizon network or roaming internationally, the voicemail number *86 may not work. If you can’t access your mailbox you may need to:

1. Dial your entire mobile phone number, making sure to follow any dialing patterns required by the country you’re visiting (e.g.,001+10-digit phone number if calling from the United Kingdom, etc.).
2. When you hear your recorded greeting, interrupt it by pressing the * key.
3. Enter your voicemail password and follow the prompts.

You set your voicemail password when you set up voicemail on your phone line. When you dial into your voicemail using the voicemail number “*86”, you may be asked for the password.

Visit these pages for steps if you forgot your voicemail password:

• Reset Voicemail Password from Device
• My Verizon Website - Reset Voicemail Password

Keep in mind: If you entered the wrong password too many times, your mailbox locks for 30 minutes. After that you can sign in again using the new password.

Here’s what to do if your Visual Voicemail app is not working as expected:

• Restart the device.
• Clear the app cache or reset the Voicemail app.
• Make sure you’re in a Verizon coverage area and mobile data is turned on. Or be sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi and can access websites or apps that rely on an internet connection.
• Make sure Call Forwarding settings are turned off. This feature can prevent callers from being able to leave messages.