Phone not ringing when calls? Here's why and how to fix

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There are few things more frustrating than expecting a phone call that never rings — or dialing someone else and hearing nothing but silence on your end. In a world where our phones serve as lifelines for work, family, and emergencies, a phone that doesn’t ring when it should can cause confusion, missed opportunities, and unnecessary stress. Whether you’re using an iPhone, an Android device, or even an older model, this issue can happen for a variety of reasons — and, fortunately, it can almost always be fixed.

• Read also: My phone won't make calls, how to fix?
• How to fix a phone not receiving calls but can make them?

The truth is, when your phone isn’t ringing, the underlying cause might be something simple like silent mode being turned on or a volume setting that was accidentally adjusted. But sometimes, the culprit lies deeper — in software bugs, corrupted settings, app conflicts, or network issues. Similarly, if your phone doesn’t ring when you’re calling someone, the issue may have less to do with your device and more to do with theirs, the network, or the way the call is being placed.

In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into both sides of the problem:

1. Why your phone might not be ringing when you call someone.

2. Why your phone might not be ringing when someone calls you.
   By understanding both perspectives, you’ll gain a clearer picture of how calls actually connect, where things can go wrong, and — most importantly — what you can do to fix it.

Part 1: Phone Not Ringing When You Call Someone

If you’re dialing another person and their phone doesn’t ring, it can be confusing — especially if you’re used to hearing the typical ringing tone before the call connects or goes to voicemail. Let’s unpack why this happens and how to troubleshoot it.

1. The Recipient’s Phone Is Off or in Airplane Mode

When you place a call, your carrier attempts to locate the recipient’s device through the network. If their phone is off, in airplane mode, or has no signal, the call cannot reach it. In such cases, you may hear a few seconds of silence, one short ring, or be sent directly to voicemail. This can sometimes make you think your phone isn’t ringing, when in fact, the other person’s phone simply isn’t available.

Fix: Try sending a text message. If it doesn’t deliver, the recipient’s phone may be turned off or offline. You can also try calling later or reaching them through another communication app like WhatsApp or Messenger.

2. The Recipient Has “Do Not Disturb” or “Focus” Mode Enabled

Modern smartphones include features that silence incoming calls to prevent distractions. On iPhones, this is called Do Not Disturb or Focus Mode; on Android, it’s Do Not Disturb or Priority Mode. If the person you’re calling has this setting turned on, their phone will not ring even if your call technically connects. You might hear normal ringing sounds, but on their end, the phone remains silent.

Fix: There’s nothing wrong with your device in this scenario. Wait until later, or send a short text to ask them to disable Do Not Disturb if the matter is urgent.

3. The Recipient Blocked Your Number

If you’ve been blocked, you may still be able to call, but the experience is different. Depending on the carrier and device, you may hear one ring before the call is diverted to voicemail — or no ring at all. In some cases, your call may disconnect automatically without any feedback.

Fix: Try calling from another number or a different device. If your call goes through normally, it’s possible your number has been blocked.

4. Carrier or Network Issues

Sometimes, neither you nor the recipient are at fault — the problem lies with your mobile network. Temporary outages, poor signal coverage, or routing errors can cause calls to fail silently or not produce a ringing sound.

Fix: Check your signal strength. If it’s weak, move to a location with better reception. You can also toggle airplane mode on and off to refresh your connection or restart your phone. If the issue persists, contact your carrier to see if there’s an outage in your area.

5. Using Internet-Based Calls Instead of Cellular Calls

If you’re calling via Wi-Fi or an app like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Skype, the ringing process works differently from traditional cellular calls. Sometimes, internet congestion or app glitches can prevent the “ring” signal from being sent properly, even though the call attempt is made.

Fix: Check your internet connection. If you’re on Wi-Fi, try switching to mobile data, or vice versa. Update the app to the latest version, and restart it.

6. Your Phone’s Call Settings or Dialer App Is Malfunctioning

Occasionally, your phone itself might be the source of the issue — especially if you’ve recently updated your operating system or installed third-party apps that interfere with calling functions.

Fix: Clear the cache of your dialer app (on Android) or reset network settings (on both iPhone and Android). On iPhone, go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings. On Android, go to Settings → System → Reset Options → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.

Part 2: Phone Not Ringing When Someone Calls You

This is the more common and personally disruptive version of the issue. If your phone doesn’t ring when people try to call you, you could easily miss important conversations — even though your device appears to be working fine. Let’s examine the potential causes and how to resolve them.

1. Silent Mode or Low Volume

The most obvious explanation is sometimes the right one. If your phone is set to Silent or Vibrate, you won’t hear it ring. Even if you think you’ve turned the volume up, note that most phones have separate controls for media, notifications, and ringtones.

Fix: Use the volume buttons to raise the ringtone volume specifically. On iPhone, toggle the Ring/Silent switch on the left side of the device. On Android, go to Settings → Sound & vibration and ensure Ring volume is not muted.

2. Do Not Disturb or Focus Mode Is Enabled

If you’ve activated Do Not Disturb or a custom Focus Mode, all incoming calls may be muted except those from selected contacts. This is one of the most frequent reasons people miss calls without realizing it.

Fix:

• On iPhone: Go to Settings → Focus → Do Not Disturb, and either disable it or adjust Allowed Notifications.

• On Android: Navigate to Settings → Notifications → Do Not Disturb, and check the Exceptions section to allow calls from everyone or specific contacts.

3. Call Forwarding or “Send to Voicemail” Enabled

If your phone automatically redirects calls to voicemail, it will never ring. You might have enabled call forwarding intentionally, or a carrier update could have turned it on accidentally.

Fix:

• On iPhone: Go to Settings → Phone → Call Forwarding, and ensure it’s off.

• On Android: Open the Phone app → Settings → Calling accounts → Call forwarding, and turn off all forwarding options.

4. Network or SIM Card Problems

If you have poor signal strength or your SIM card is damaged, calls may not reach your phone at all. Sometimes, you might not even see missed call notifications because the network never delivered the call request.

Fix: Remove and reinsert your SIM card. Restart your device. If possible, try inserting your SIM card into another phone to test whether the issue persists. If it does, contact your carrier for a replacement SIM or technical support. Read more: How to fix a phone cannot detect sim card.

5. Bluetooth or Headphone Conflicts

Your phone might technically be ringing — just not where you can hear it. If it’s paired to a Bluetooth device such as earbuds, a car stereo, or a smart speaker, the ringtone sound may be routed there instead of your phone’s speaker.

Fix: Turn off Bluetooth temporarily and try calling your phone from another device. If you hear it ring, that confirms the issue. You can then adjust Bluetooth audio settings or unpair problematic devices.

6. Software Glitches or Outdated Firmware

Occasional software bugs can cause notification or audio issues, including muted ringtones. These may arise after OS updates or app installations.

Fix: Restart your phone, clear cache (on Android), and ensure your operating system is up to date. If the issue persists, back up your data and perform a factory reset.

7. App-Specific Notification Issues

Some calling or messaging apps (like WhatsApp, Messenger, or Telegram) may have their own notification settings independent of the main ringtone controls. If you’re missing calls on those platforms, check their in-app sound settings.

Fix: Open the app → Settings → Notifications or Calls, and ensure sound is enabled. You can also allow the app to bypass Do Not Disturb in your phone’s system settings.

Part 3: Advanced Solutions

If you’ve gone through all the basics and your phone still doesn’t ring properly, consider these deeper troubleshooting steps:

1. Reset All Settings – This preserves your data but restores all system preferences to default, often fixing hidden configuration conflicts.

   • iPhone: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings

   • Android: Settings → System → Reset Options → Reset All Settings

2. Check Third-Party Apps – Apps that manage notifications, sound profiles, or battery optimization can interfere with ringtone behavior. Temporarily uninstall or disable them.

3. Check for Malware or Corrupt Files – On Android, use Google Play Protect or a trusted antivirus app to scan for issues. Malware can sometimes hijack audio or phone functions.

4. Test in Safe Mode – Safe Mode starts your phone with only the essential apps running.

   • On Android, press and hold the power button, then long-press “Power off” to get the Safe Mode option.

   • On iPhone, this isn’t directly available, but you can simulate a similar environment by disabling third-party apps’ background refresh.

5. Contact Support or Service Center – If all else fails, the problem might be hardware-related, such as a damaged speaker or a defective ringer component. Your phone manufacturer or carrier can run diagnostics and replace faulty parts if necessary.

Part 4: Prevention Tips

Once your phone is ringing properly again, take a few precautions to prevent the problem from returning:

• Keep your OS and apps updated regularly.

• Avoid installing unknown or unverified system apps.

• Check your sound and Do Not Disturb settings periodically.

• Reboot your phone at least once a week to clear temporary bugs.

• Use a case that doesn’t obstruct your speaker holes.

• Back up your phone regularly in case you ever need to reset it.

Conclusion

A phone that doesn’t ring — whether you’re the caller or the recipient — can easily lead to confusion, missed calls, or even lost opportunities. However, as we’ve explored, most of these issues are not catastrophic. They usually stem from settings that can be adjusted, temporary network glitches, or software inconsistencies that are simple to fix.

By understanding how call signaling works and following a structured troubleshooting process, you can identify where the problem lies and resolve it quickly. Whether it’s ensuring your volume is up, disabling Do Not Disturb, checking your SIM card, or refreshing network settings, these steps will help you restore your phone’s reliability — and your peace of mind.

So next time your phone doesn’t ring, don’t panic. Instead, take a moment to go through this guide, one step at a time. With a bit of patience and awareness, you’ll have your device ringing loud and clear once again — just the way it should.