Problems making/receiving calls

After each troubleshooting step, check to see if your issue is fixed.

icon is missing

If disappeared from your home screen, you just need to add a shortcut for the Phone app.

SIM card not recognized

If you see or in the status bar or a message that the SIM is not recognized:

  1. Turn your phone off and then on again.

    Press and hold the Power button, then touch Power off. Then turn it on to establish a new connection with the network.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • If your phone allows one SIM card, turn your phone off, then remove and reinsert the SIM.
    • If your phone allows dual SIMs, disable the SIM, then enable it again. Go to Settings > SIM cards. Turn the SIM off . Then turn it on .
  3. If your phone has dual SIMs, turn your phone off, then remove the SIM that is not recognized and try it in the other SIM slot.
  4. Contact your carrier to make sure your account is set up properly.
  5. Ask your carrier to replace the SIM card.
  6. Perform an external phone reset.

No signal

  1. If you usually have a signal but the status bar shows in your current location, move to another area where you can receive a signal, like outdoors. If you’re uncertain whether your carrier provides service in that location, check the coverage map on your carrier’s website.
  2. If airplane mode is on, turn it off.
  3. Turn your phone off and then on again.
  4. Check for app updates.
  5. Check if a software update is available for your phone.
  6. Check that the Preferred network type is set to Global. (Settings > More > Cellular networks > Preferred network type.) If you’re experiencing service issues when it is set on Global, try a different setting.
  7. Manually set the network operator:

    1. Go to Settings > More > Cellular networks.
    2. Touch Network operators > Search networks.
    3. Wait 30 seconds for the search results.
    4. Choose your network operator (carrier).
    5. Wait 30 seconds for the network to refresh the signal.
  8. Use safe mode to see if apps you installed are causing the issue and uninstall as needed.
  9. Reset the phone.

Have signal, but can’t make calls

  1. Turn your phone off and then on again.

    Press and hold the Power button, then touch Power off. Then turn it on to establish a new connection with the network.

  2. Clear the cache for the Phone app.
  3. Use safe mode to see if apps you installed are causing the issue and uninstall as needed.
  4. Check if a software update is available for your phone.
  5. Clear the phone's cache partition.
  6. Reset the phone.

Phone doesn’t ring or ring loud enough

  1. Check your volume setting.
  2. Look for or in your status bar. If you see either:

    • Press the Volume Down button and touch End now to allow interruptions; your phone will ring for incoming calls.
    • Check your Do not disturb settings to make sure your phone is screening calls at the appropriate times.
  3. Check that your ringtone is not set to None.
  4. Is your phone connected with a Bluetooth device? If so, all audio is routed to the Bluetooth device.
  5. If you're using a ringtone that you installed, try using a ringtone that came with the phone.
  6. Use safe mode to see if apps you installed are causing the issue and uninstall as needed. Begin with application types like launchers, task killers, or anti-virus apps.

Can't answer ringing phone

Check that Phone app notifications haven't been disabled.

Go to Settings > Apps > Phone and touch Notifications. Turn off Block all.

Consistent busy signal

Outbound calls

  1. If you hear a fast busy signal when you call a number, all cellular circuits may be in use, preventing the call from going through. Try calling again later.
  2. If you hear a fast busy signal every time you call the same number, your number may be blocked by an app. Try calling from a different number.

Incoming calls

If you have a signal and can make calls, but callers tell you they consistently get a busy signal when calling you, check that you haven’t blocked their numbers.