TroubleshootingIntermediate6 min read

Call Forwarding Not Working? Check These Settings

Troubleshoot call forwarding issues between your business line and AI receptionist. Verify carrier settings, number format, and forwarding type.

Quick Answer: Call forwarding issues usually stem from incorrect number format (missing country code), wrong forwarding type selected, or carrier restrictions. Verify settings with your phone carrier and ensure the forwarding number matches exactly.

What You'll Learn

This guide helps you diagnose and fix call forwarding problems so calls reach your AI receptionist reliably.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

First, verify direct calls to your AI number work (call it from your mobile)
Check your carrier's call forwarding settings
Verify the forwarding number format includes country code if required (+1 for US)
Confirm the forwarding type matches your needs (unconditional vs conditional)
Disable and re-enable forwarding to reset
Test after each change

Common Causes

Wrong number format: Some carriers require +1 prefix, others don't accept it
Conditional instead of unconditional: Calls only forward on busy/no-answer
Carrier restrictions: Some carriers limit or block call forwarding to VoIP
Feature not enabled: Call forwarding may need to be activated with your carrier
Conflicting settings: Multiple forwarding rules interfering with each other

Carrier-Specific Instructions

Common carriers and their forwarding codes:

Carrier	Activate All Forwarding	Deactivate
AT&T	21[number]#	#21#
Verizon	*72 + number	*73
T-Mobile	*21[number]#	##21#
VoIP/PBX	Check admin portal	Check admin portal

Testing Your Forwarding

Set up forwarding using your carrier's method
Call your business line from a different phone (not your mobile if that's the business line)
The call should ring to your AI receptionist
If it doesn't forward, try calling from a different phone to rule out caller ID issues

When to Contact Your Carrier

Contact your phone carrier if:

Forwarding works to regular phones but not to your AI number
You get an error message when trying to set up forwarding
Forwarding worked before but suddenly stopped
You're on a business plan that may have restrictions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does call forwarding cost extra?
A: It depends on your carrier and plan. Most business plans include it, but check with your carrier.

Q: Will caller ID still work with forwarding?
A: Yes, your AI will see the original caller's number, not your business line number.

Q: Can I forward only some calls to the AI?
A: Yes, use conditional forwarding (busy/no-answer) to have AI handle overflow, or set up time-based rules in your phone system.