Here’s how to fix the most common VoIP issues

Posted on Friday April 28, 2023

A piece of technology that claims to cut your expenses in half may seem too good to be true, and often, it is. But this isn't the case with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Its promise of significantly reducing phone expenses is real and well-documented. However, VoIP systems aren't perfect, and you're bound to experience some issues while using this technology. Fortunately, most of them are easy to fix and prevent.

Jitter

Jittery or crackly audio on VoIP calls may be caused by electromagnetic interference, damaged equipment, or insufficient bandwidth. Here are some solutions to fix this.

1. Check VoIP phones and cables for any signs of damage.
2. Keep your VoIP equipment at a safe distance from each other to prevent electromagnetic interference.
3. Conduct a bandwidth speed test to ensure optimal network performance.

Dropped calls

Do your phone calls suddenly disconnect after 11 minutes? This could be due to outdated firmware or a user datagram protocol (UDP) timeout. Luckily, there are ways to solve these problems.

1. Ensure that your phones have the latest firmware updates.
2. Adjust your router settings to prevent UDP timeouts, or switch to Transmission Control Protocol.

Echoes and audio delays

Experiencing echoes or audio delays during phone calls or video conferences is a widespread problem that can be caused by network latency, headset lag, device issues, or other factors. Don't fret, the following tips can help.

1. Ensure that your device is correctly plugged in and updated with the latest software.
2. Unplug your phone and reconnect it again. This will clear any buffers and allow your phone to re-sync with your internet connection.
3. Consider switching to a corded headset instead of a Bluetooth one. Bluetooth headsets tend to lag, which can result in audio delays.
4. Ensure that you have enough internet bandwidth for smooth communication.

No sound

Having trouble hearing the person on the other end of your phone calls? Your firewall may be blocking the transmission of Real-Time Transport Protocol packets. To solve this, you'll need to open up some ports on your firewall.

Unable to make calls

If you can't make calls from your VoIP phone or see a big X on the screen, it's possible that you're using two routers and they're dropping important data packets. This is typically caused by your network setup. To resolve the issue, disable Session Initiation Protocol Application-Level Gateway on your router and confirm that you're not using two routers. You could also connect your VoIP phones to a virtual local area network for a quick fix.

Calls sent to voicemail

If your VoIP phones aren't ringing, it may be because calls are being sent to voicemail. Check that your phone isn't in Do Not Disturb mode and confirm that your VoIP phones are still registered with your provider.

For guidance on installing a new VoIP system or repairing your existing one, don't hesitate to contact our team. We offer expert consultation, support, and service to help your business reap the benefits of VoIP's cost savings and capabilities.