Like many of you, I’d rather text than call, but it’s frustrating when I need to call someone but can’t make calls on my Android. It’s happened multiple times, where I can’t make or receive calls, but I have discovered several fixes to quickly get things back to normal.
Content
- A Few Basic Checks
- Recent Update Issues
- Waiting Too Long Between Restarts
- Check Network Connection
- A Dirty SIM Card
- Issues With Third-Party Apps
- Virus Problems
- Perform a Factory Reset
A Few Basic Checks
Before you panic, the problem could be something extremely simple – you just don’t have a great signal. I have about a 10-mile strip of interstate that’s a complete dead zone. No calls get in or out. Check your bars at the top of your phone. A single bar, no bars, or a no connection symbol may leave you call-free.
Ensure Airplane Mode is off. Yes, I’ve done this. Dial, wait to connect, and nothing. Then, I remember. I turned on Airplane Mode. Switch it off, wait a minute or two for your phone to reconnect, and calling should work again.
Recent Update Issues
The first time I couldn’t make calls on my Android phone, my device had updated that morning. So far, this is the most common cause for me personally.
When I tried to call someone, I’d hear a click, and the number would never actually dial. I could text normally, so I asked someone to call me. It went straight to voicemail.
I tried restarting my phone, but that didn’t work. Instead, I had to completely shut it down, let it sit for about 10 minutes, then restart it.
If your phone’s recently updated, give it a brief timeout to reset itself. Plus, if you have a Samsung phone, it’s recommended to restart to sort out possible battery issues.
Waiting Too Long Between Restarts
There are various great reasons to restart your phone regularly – not just after updates. This helps boost performance, clears memory, fixes connectivity issues, and even helps protect against malware and tracking.
Even though I know to restart regularly, I forget just like everyone else. After leaving my phone on for almost a month, I suddenly couldn’t make calls one day. A quick restart was all it took for me to start dialing once again.
I recommend weekly restarts. It only takes about a minute and is great for your phone.
Check Network Connection
Though it’s more rare, phones glitch just like every other device. It’s possible your phone just got switched to the wrong network or connection type. This happens most often if you’re traveling and have roaming turned on. The network may switch, but then not switch back correctly.
I’m using a Samsung Galaxy S23+ for these steps, so they may vary slightly based on your device.
Go to Settings -> Connections -> Mobile networks. Check Access Point Names to ensure you’re on the correct network for your carrier. Tap Network operators. I have mine set to automatically choose the best network, but if you can’t make calls on Android, set it to manual, and try different networks (if available).
A Dirty SIM Card
If your phone’s had a particularly rough day and looks more like an off-road vehicle going down a muddy road, than a clean, shiny phone, you may have a dirty SIM card. If the card is dirty or damaged, you probably can’t make calls on your Android phone. Odds are, you’ll likely have other issues as well.
This cause should be fairly rare, but any physical damage to your phone warrants checking your SIM, just to be safe.
Removing the SIM card varies based on the device, but your phone should have come with a pin (a paperclip works too) to insert into a tiny hole that pops out the SIM card tray. Carefully remove the card and inspect it for damage. If you notice anything, head to your mobile carrier to get a replacement.
Image source:
Unsplash
Issues With Third-Party Apps
Many apps conflict with other apps and functions on your phone. I know when I was testing calling apps, I had a few that stopped me from being able to make and receive calls outside of their apps until I removed them.
If you’ve recently installed a new app and can’t make calls on your Android, try to force-stop the app to see if that helps. If not, remove it.
Go to Settings -> Apps. Tap the app you need to stop or remove. Tap Force stop. You may need to restart your phone. Then, repeat the process, and tap Uninstall if the previous step didn’t solve the issue.
Virus Problems
Viruses are capable of pretty much anything. If you can’t make calls on your Android and are experiencing other odd issues, such as sluggish apps, new apps you didn’t install, and sudden poor battery life, it’s likely a virus.
Scan your phone with an antivirus app. Avoid doing anything else online until the scan is complete, and the virus is gone.
Perform a Factory Reset
I hate to go for the nuclear option, but I had no choice last year after a particularly nasty virus. I couldn’t get rid of it any other way and I couldn’t make calls for several days.
If nothing else works, back up your files (if you’re dealing with a virus, back everything up to an external drive to scan with a computer later), and start the factory reset process.
Go to Settings -> General Management -> Reset. Depending on your device, the steps may vary slightly. You may also get options to back up your device before proceeding. Tap Factory data reset when you’re ready.
While not getting any spam calls is nice, I’d still prefer for my calls to work properly over other perks. After all, I can always block spam numbers. If you’re ready for a new phone, take a moment to really compare Android and iPhone to see which is best for you.
Image credit: Pexels
Crystal Crowder –
Staff Writer
Crystal Crowder has spent over 15 years working in the tech industry, first as an IT technician and then as a writer. She works to help teach others how to get the most from their devices, systems, and apps. She stays on top of the latest trends and is always finding solutions to common tech problems.
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