The Google Subscriber Is Not Available? (How to Fix)

Hearing a message “the Google subscriber is not available” when calling someone or when someone is calling you?

Be informed that the message means that you or your target receiver did not set a custom voicemail message.

You can easily record your own and fix the problem. But if ALL calls are going straight to the voicemail, then there is definitely a problem.

Sometimes this message could occur in case you have blocked or marked the number calling as spam. The Google Voice DND feature should be disabled and in case the number is in the SPAM folder, you will be hearing the message.

There are quite a few possibilities so let’s check them out first, and then proceed with the actual solutions.

Why The Google Subscriber You Called Is Not Available?

As we’ve mentioned, this is the default Google voicemail.

If you don’t hear a ringing before the message that would mean that you’re sending directly to the voicemail.

Your call is being forwarded for some reason, so here is what might have happened:

Google Voice DND

If the Do Not Disturb feature is enabled on your GV, callers will be sent to your voicemail and if the message is the default, they will hear that message.

Number Blocked

If the number you’re calling is blocked, any call attempts will be forwarded straight to the voicemail.

The Number Marked as SPAM

In case the caller number is in the spam folder, the call would not reach, instead, they will be forwarded to the voicemail.

GV Not Available

In some countries including Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Google Voice calling is not available.

If your target is in one of these regions you would hear the voicemail message upon calling and vice versa.

Call Forwarded/Disabled

In your Google Voice (GV) settings, you can forward calls to other numbers or disable devices that you don’t like to receive calls on.

If when calling, there is no number to ring, the message might appear.

How To Fix When The Google Subscriber Is Not Available?

As you’ve learned, the message you’re hearing means that your call is being forwarded to the voicemail.

We’re going to start eliminating possibilities one by one, but after each of the solutions, you should try performing a call to determine the state of the issue.

In case someone is hearing the message when calling you, the solutions apply for both parties:

Solution #1 Disable GV DND Mode

The Do Not Disturb mode should be the very first Google Voice setting that you should inspect.

If enabled the DND mode will actively block ALL incoming calls, thus forwarding them to the voicemail.

To disable the DND mode follow the steps below:

1. Reach inside the Settings of your Google Account.
2. Locate the Voice Settings.
3. Search for a DND button.
4. Toggle [Do Not Disturb] mode OFF.

In case the DND mode is already disabled, make sure to toggle it ON and then OFF again. 

Then save the changes and try performing a call via the app or the web. In case the issue persists, proceed with the next solution.

Solution #2 Unblock ALL GV Numbers

If you’ve been using the web interface until now, it’s time to download the mobile application by the end of the guide.

If you already have the Google Voice application downloaded and set up, it’s time to check if you’ve accidentally blocked the number.

Follow the steps below to unblock numbers:

1. Open the GV mobile app.
2. Tap on Messages, Voicemail, or Calls.
3. Press on any message, call, or voicemail from the number you would like to unblock.
4. Press on More Options > Unblock Number.

Note: If the caller is being redirected to your voicemail, then ask them to check if they have blocked your number.

Feel free to start by unblocking one number and asking the owner to call you. If they are still being redirected to your voicemail, proceed with the next solution.

Solution #3 Remove GV Number From SPAM

If your number or the number trying to reach you has ended up in one of each other’s SPAM folders, the call would be redirected to the voicemail.

The annoying voicemail will continue to appear until the number is out of the spam filter so let’s learn how to reach the spawn folder:

1. Open the Google Voice application.
2. On the top left, open the Menu.
3. Choose Spam.
4. Tap on a call, message, or voicemail from the number.
5. Choose More Options.
6. Press on Unmark as SPAM.
7. Repeat for ALL numbers you would like cleared.

Now when you have no numbers marked as spam, the caller should be able to reach you instead of hearing your voicemail message. 

In case the problem appears again, continue with the next solution.

Solution #4 Try Reaching The Receiver Manually

Whether the voice message “the Google subscriber you have called is not available” appears when you’re calling or someone is calling you, make sure to try manually calling.

To call manually you would need to wait until the voice message starts and then execute the steps below:

1. Call the Google Voice number.
2. Wait until the voicemail greeting starts.
3. Press the (*) starts on your number pad.
4. Enter the PIN made when you’ve added your GV number.
5. Press the (#) sign.
6. Wait for about 10 seconds and press “2”.

By pressing the number “2” on your number pad you would initiate an action “make a call” and should manually initiate a call. 

The call should start even if your first attempt was redirected to the voicemail.

The same goes for the caller in case the problem appears when you’re being called.

Solution #5 Re-Add Your Number

Whether the issue appears when someone is calling you, or you’re calling someone, you should re-add your number in GV as an attempt to solve the problem.

Issues like that can occur, if you’ve copied and pasted your number, instead of writing it down manually.

In addition, your verification could be missing so here is the complete tutorial:

1. Open the Google Voice application.
2. Go to the menu on the top left.
3. Tap on Devices and numbers.
4. Choose New linked number.
5. Enter the mobile number you would like to add.
6. Google Voice will send you a verification code (text or call).
7. Choose an option and wait for the verification code.
8. Insert the code and tap Verify.

Note: If the GV voice number is already linked, you would need to remove it first and then re-add it. You can also use the web interface for this purpose.

Solution #6 Change Calls Settings

Maybe your calls are being forwarded to a non-active number, thus the voicemail message activates upon calling.

There is also another occasion in which, you would have no devices on which the call can be received, so you would have to add at least one.

Follow the steps below to set your GV call setting properly:

1. Open the Google Voice app.
2. Go to the Settings.
3. Choose Calls.
4. Under the incoming calls section, you should see My Devices.
5. Make sure to add at least one device in My Devices.
6. Under Call forwarding, you should not have anything.
7. Remove any number that your calls are being forwarded to.

Save the settings and restart the Google Voice app. At this point, the problem should be gone.

In case the issue persists, try opening Google Voice on your computer browser, and make someone call you while it’s open.

Now if the problem is still there then there is definitely something wrong with your Account and you should reach out to Google Voice customer service for help.

Read Next: How to Get a Google Voice Number for Free?

Bottom Line:

Thus, to fix the Google subscriber is not available voice message, you should disable the DND mode, unblock the number calling you and remove ALL numbers from the SPAM. Next, you should try calling manually and then re-add your number. If that does not help, check your call settings for any forwarding.

Now when you know what “the Google subscriber is not available” message means you should be able to solve the problem using our solutions.

Even if something is not quite right, you can always reach out to Google and solve potential account problems causing the issue.