No voice instructions in Google maps

[Franco999]

Please can anyone help?  I have a Sony Xperia Z5 compact that I have started to use for navigating since my Garmin sat nav stopped working. 

The Maps app is version 9.51.1 (#951100223).  In navigation settings, I can only sometimes hear the voice when I 'play test sound' and it never gives voice instructions when I am navigating.  The voice setting is 'louder' and NOT muted.  The GPS works fine.

I considered uninstalling the app and then reinstalling, but I have only the choice of 'disable' or 'force stop'.

What can I do to solve the problem?

[MI5]

When you play the test sound press volume up at the same time as the volume may be muted.

[Franco999]

Thanks for the prompt reply.  I tried this again, even though the sound is shown as Not muted.  I hear the test voice, but I still do not receive voice instructions when navigating.

[MI5]

You have a conflict or a glitch somewhere I guess then.
Might be worth considering backing up and factory resetting.

[Marjo]

@Franco999 How are you getting on with the sound? Did you manage to fix it?

[Franco999]

I have an IT and phone savvy friend and I told him the problem over a drink.  I put in Home and immediately heard voice instructions to start the journey.  He laughed when I could not demonstrate the problem.  When I went to the car to go home, no voice instructions forthcoming.  I think that the voice has a mind of her own and I shall call her Chucky!

[MI5]

Does the phone connect to car via bluetooth?
If so, you'll need to increase the volume on the car system.

[Franco999]

The phone does connect via bluetooth.  I will crank up the volume for the radio and see if that makes a difference.

[MI5]

Mine has different volume settings for the phone from the radio but you can only adjust the phone volume when the phone is transmitting some voice or music.

[Franco999]

Tried the volume, but bluetooth is only active for calls.  I downloaded Waze as an alternative to Google maps, but the problem persists.  I sometimes hear voice instructions at the very start of navigation, but nothing once I am on the move.  This now appears to be a problem either with the phone or me, but I am no closer to solving it.