Fixing the “Visual Voicemail Unavailable” Error on the iPhone
If you’ve ever encountered the “Visual Voicemail is currently unavailable” error on when going to check new voicemail on the iPhone, there are two quick tricks that almost always fix the problem. So before calling the actual voicemail number like you’re some kind of cave dweller in the stone age of cell phones, try these speedy fixes first.
1: Toggle AirPlane Mode ON & OFF
This often works for the same reason that it resolves troubles with the iPhone getting stuck on “No Service” or the EDGE or GPRS networks, it turns the cellular modem off and on again, forcing it to regain a signal to a cell tower:
- Open “Settings” and flip the switch next to “Airplane Mode” from OFF to ON, wait about 20 seconds then flip the switch OFF again
Airplane mode is obviously enabled because the normal wireless signal turns into a plane icon, then when turned off again it regains a signal. Again, the idea here is to reconnect to a cell tower, hopefully with a better signal which will then allow visual voicemail to function again. Head back to Voicemail and things should be working as normal again, without the error message:
The Airplane trick will usually resolve the unavailable voicemail issues, but if it doesn’t it may be something messed up with the actual iPhone network settings, and thus we move to the next fix.
2: Reset Network Settings
This will reset all network specific settings and in that process Be sure to make a note of Wi-Fi router passwords, as resetting network settings will ditch those in the process.
- Go to Settings and then to “General”
- Look for “Reset” and choose “Reset Network Settings”, confirm the reset
- Optional but recommended: Reboot the iPhone by holding down the power button to turn it off, then turn it back on again
Give the iPhone a minute or two to rejoin the cellular data network, then go back to the Phone app and Voicemail, where everything should be back in order.
You should then no longer see the visual voicemail unavailable error message:
This trick is fairly old and tends to resolve many issues with cellular data connections, wifi troubles, and other networking issues ranging from OTA update issues, iMessage activation errors, to the suddenly disappearing Personal Hotspot on iOS devices. You’ll find it recommended often because it almost always works, suggesting many of the network troubles of iOS are just a matter of network preferences getting corrupted or improperly configured somewhere along the lines, and just like on the desktop side of things, sometimes starting from scratch with a new preference set is all it takes.
Still Not Working? Call Voicemail Instead
Another possibility to consider is that you’re simply out of a reasonable signal range that is able to transfer data at all, thus rendering the visual voicemail feature completely inaccessible. If you’re in a rural location and can’t reconnect to a 3G, 4G, or LTE signal, this is certainly a possibility, and no amount of network tweaking is going to help. In that case just tapping the “Call Voicemail” button will allow you to check voicemail the old fashioned way through a phone call, though you will need to enter the account pin when doing so.
THANK YOU!!!!
#2 Reset Network Settings
Works like a charm. Thanks! I’m subscribing to OS X Daily right now.
Thanks very much for posting this information. I followed your advice and the problem is solved. Hurray!
Visual Voicemail had not operated since September when I updated iOS. I finally have the solution thanks to you!
#2 Reset Network Settings worked.
Thank you very much…
Reset the network setting did the trick
Number 2, reset network settings worked like a charm!! Thank you!
Option #2 – reset network settings – did the trick. Thanks very much for posting this.
Network settings reset worked!!! Thanks a million!
Thank you for the SIMPLE answer!
Not so fast! Under Virgin, it appears that the Visual Voicemail is disabled, and had to be subscribed to (for a price!) That’s right; an iPhone functionality is disabled and will be restored for a price. Clearly they want you to think that this is a feature they offer to enhance your phone (as would be the case with an Android or BB phone). Sucks, Virgin! Bad Form!
Thank you so much. Youir directions are easy to follow and worked instantly.
The thing that fixed it for me was force-quitting the phone app.
Another reason it might not work is if you’ve tried to minimize your data use by connecting to a wireless network and then switching cellular data to “off”. Personally, I did not expect a problem with any feature over my wi-fi.
That’s what I did and that’s what happened. And when I turned cellular data back on, I got the instant voicemail back.
It works!! Thank you!!
I had this problem until I found your page. I tried both and number two worked! Thanks!
ps: I’m still curious as to why this happens…..
Thanks so much. Excellent, very well detailed explained. Worked for me.
works like a charm, well done
Option #2 worked like a charm. Thank you very much.
If you do option #2, your WiFi network(s) will reset. Therefore you will need to reconnect to any WiFi network setup on your phone.
Make sure you can remember those network passwords, before resetting “Network Settings” or you will be screwed.
visual voivemail is currently unavailable and how to return to regular voicemail.
Had “vvm unavailable”. Believe it started when I upgraded to ios 7.1.
Doing the network reset followed by phone reboot worked for me. Thanks much.
Question:
Does the “Cell Data” have to be turned on in order for the Visual voicemail to work? I have wifi at home and at work.
If the solutions in this article do nto work for you, call voicemail, reset your password to a new one, and then do a reboot (hold home button and power button simultaneously until it turns off).
Thank you! Worked!
worked like magic once again
While this method of turning the cellular on does work, it then means you are using both wifi and cellular to regain your visual voicemail” but aren’t you then going to incur larger cell phone bills by using cellular data—especially using music, podcast apps, audible etc? Thank you in advance for any assistance regarding this issue.
Agreed. Both the trouble shooting step worked for me. However, now I still have the same issue (back to square 1) I don’t want to Turn off my phone or go to airplane mode or Network reset. Is there any permanent fix for this issue ?
I had this issue today:
Airplane mode didn’t work. Rather than try to reset all network settings and then having to input all wifi passwords again, instead I held Home and Power button to instant power off and then restarted which cleared the problem.
Thank you, #2 ‘reset network settings’ worked for me. Very easy, pefect!
Thank you! The reset network settings worked:)
Option 1 worked like a charm, thanks for the post!
I just turned the phone off and turned it back on! Worked like a charm.
You are a genius. Worked perfectly. Thanks
Thank you so much. Very good explanation, easy to follow and “Successful”!
I bought my 5c from Virgin Mobile USA after being assured by their customer service that VV would work with my new phone. It worked great for the 1st 30 days. When I called again they said after the 1st 30 there was a monthly fee. I agreed to pay the fee, but could not get it to work. I was sent to a technician who told me VV does not work with the iPhone. My daughter had just bought the Galaxy 3 and her VV was working. The tech said VV would absolutely work with the Galaxy 3. After 30 days VV stopped working on her phone too. When she called the same thing happened to her. It won’t work even if you pay the fee. Why are they getting away with telling people they can get VV when they only get it for a month. Conveniently, by the time it stops working the chance to return or exchange the phone has ended.
#2 worked, but I had to power off and on as well, because it didn’t quite work perfectly. I have an iPhone 4S.
Thank you! Great explanation and it worked!
Kill the phone app first!!!
If u just toggle airplane mode the voicemail setting in phone is still cached. You must restart the phone app.
THANK YOU !!!
Thank you for the Post. As the Airplane Mode Cycle and Turning my iPhone 4S off and on worked like a charm. All is well now. It occurred after they were working on our cell towers here.
thanks! i did the reset thing and it worked. had to reenter my long number for my modem again, but well worth it.
You’re my hero! Thanks.
Works like a charm, thank you.
How do I get the red dot of my iPhone voicemail it says I need to top up but I top up yesterday can u help me with it
Thank you. Red dot was annoying me and your clear explanation helped enormously.
Good work, much appreciated
Thanks! Just got a new iPhone and couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to do this! Airplane Mode did the trick. You’d think they’d make more obvious, but then this is Apple we’re talking about…
Make sure you turn your cellular data on because it wnt set up just with you wifi on for some reason
#1 worked right away. Thanks! 👍🏼🙌🏽
#1 worked, thank you.
it worked thank you!
#2 worked immediately…great info, thanks!
#2 solved it quickly and easily! Thank you! :)
#2 worked great it was very helpful!!! Thanks!!
Works for me, number 2.
Thanks
None of this worked for me I’ve very disappointed
This could happen if your cellular data is turned off. See this answer https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5577857?tstart=0
option 2 worked like a charm! Thank you
Thanks for your help. #2 worked for me and so others will know my visual voicemail had not been working for a couple of months and with your quick and easy help I resolved it instantly👍👍👍. Thank you very much!!!
Thank you very much, the no. 2 solution worked for me.
The second suggestion works but it seems I have to do it everyday!! Why??
Thank you so much. Very good explanation,“Successful”