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In the current day and age, smartphones are essentially an extension of ourselves, allowing us to communicate with friends, family, and business associates. So, when our phones won’t make calls but can still send text messages, it’s a huge inconvenience.

This not only disrupts communication but also creates unnecessary stress like missed opportunities or potential misunderstandings. It’s enough to drive anyone up the wall. That’s why we’re here to help you by discussing possible causes and solutions to get back on the line in no time.

Let’s explore what might be causing your phone woes and how you can turn them around for good. From outdated software updates to signal issues, there can be various reasons why your phone isn’t able to dial out, and we’ll discuss them all.

 

Reset Your Network Connection

The first step in fixing the issue with your smartphone not making calls is resetting your network connection. Sometimes, your phone’s network settings may become corrupted, which causes the calling feature to malfunction.

To reset your network connection, you just have to temporarily enable the Airplane mode on your Android and then disable it after a few seconds. Here are the steps required to do that:

  • Firstly, swipe down from the top of your Android phone’s home screen to access the notification shade
  • Then, expand the quick toggles menu by swiping down again
  • Look for the Airplane mode icon, which of course looks like a plane, and then tap it to enable it
  • Once done, wait for a few seconds and then tap the Airplane mode icon again to disable it

After following the aforementioned steps, you can try making some calls to check if the issue has been resolved. If the problem still persists, you can consider moving on to other potential solutions that we’ll be discussing next.

 

Check Your Carrier

There might be a possibility that the issue lies within your local carrier and there may be server-side issues that are preventing your smartphone from connecting to the network properly. There are many online tools available to check if your local carrier is facing any issues.

Unfortunately, if that’s the case, you’ll have no other option but to wait for them to fix the problem. The best thing to do in such a case is to be patient and wait for the network to come back. You may try making calls periodically to check if the issue has been resolved.

 

Reinsert Your SIM

Another potential solution is to reinsert your SIM card. Sometimes, the SIM card may have become loose or dislodged, which may cause the calling feature to malfunction. Here’s how you can reinsert your SIM card:

  • Locate the SIM tray on your phone whose location will vary based on your phone’s model, but it’s usually on the side of the phone
  • Use a SIM ejector tool, which usually comes with your phone’s retail box, to remove the tray. You can use a small pin or paperclip too
  • Then, carefully remove the SIM card from the tray
  • Inspect the card for any signs of damage, such as cracks or scratches. If the card is damaged, you may need to replace it
  • Reinsert the SIM card into the tray by aligning it to the slot and then gently push the tray back into the phone

Once you’ve reinserted your SIM card, wait for your phone to latch on to the network, and then try making some calls to check whether the issue has been resolved or not.

 

Modify Your Preferred Network Type

Sometimes, your phone’s preferred network type may be the reason why you’re unable to make calls. For instance, in challenging areas like tunnels or hills, the 5G or LTE network might not be much reliable, and hence, changing the preferred network type might solve the issue for you.

Follow the steps given below to change the preferred network type on your Android phone:

  • Swipe up from your home screen to access the app drawer
  • Then, locate and tap on the Settings app denoted with a gear icon
  • Scroll down and choose the “Network and Internet” option
  • Afterward, tap on the SIM for which you want to change the network type
  • Once done, select the “Preferred network type” option and choose your desired network type

After you’ve changed the preferred network type, wait for some time to let your phone detect a network connection and start making calls.

 

Reset Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Mobile

If you’re still not able to make or receive calls but can text, it could be a network-related issue that requires you to reset your network connection. You can follow the below steps to reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Network, and Bluetooth on your phone:

  • Access the Settings app on your phone
  • Scroll down and choose the “System” option
  • Then, tap the “Reset Options” option
  • Choose the “Reset Wi-Fi, mobile, and Bluetooth” option
  • Lastly, select the “Reset Wi-Fi, mobile, and Bluetooth” option and confirm your decision

Once you’ve reset your network, wait for a while to regain the network, and then try making calls to see if the issue has been resolved. Keep in mind that doing so will erase your saved Wi-Fi passwords, so make sure you reconnect them after the reset.

 

Contact Your Network Provider

If none of the previous fixes have resolved the issue, it might be time to contact your network provider directly. You can do this by calling from a different phone or using social media channels, depending on the available options.

One potential reason for the issue could be that the concerned SIM card isn’t activated or has been blocked by your provider. Contacting them will allow you to verify the status of the SIM card and gain helpful information to fix the issue.

In case you have access to another SIM card, you can check whether your phone can make and receive calls with it. If it works fine with another SIM card, then the issue is likely due to your original SIM card, and your network provider may need to replace it for you.

 

Disable The Do Not Disturb Mode

The Do Not Disturb mode silences your phone’s notifications, including phone calls as well. If this mode is enabled, chances are that you won’t be able to make or receive calls. Here’s how you can turn off the Do Not Disturb mode:

  • Open the Settings app on your phone and then tap on the “Sound and Vibration” option
  • Then, select the “Do Not Disturb” option and then toggle the switch to turn it off

Once done, check whether you’re able to make or receive calls or not. If you still aren’t able to make or receive calls, verify that the call forwarding is disabled by navigating to the Phone app > Tapping on the three dots > selecting Settings.

 

Force Close the Phone App

If your smartphone continues to malfunction, you can also try clearing the app’s cache and data to reset it to its default state. Here’s how you can do it:

  • Open Settings and tap on the “Apps” option 
  • Select Phone and tap on the “Storage” option
  • Then, select tap on Clear Cache and Clear Data one by one

After you’ve cleared the cache and data, launch the phone app again and try making a call.

 

Turn Off Wi-Fi Calling

Wi-Fi calling is a convenient feature that allows you to make calls over a wireless network on compatible devices. However, sometimes it may interfere with your phone’s ability to make and receive calls. In that case, you can try disabling Wi-Fi calling as a quick fix. Here’s how:

  • Access the Settings app on your smartphone and tap on the “Network and Internet” option
  • Then, scroll down and tap on the “Wi-Fi Calling” option
  • If it’s enabled, toggle the switch to disable it

Once you’ve disabled Wi-Fi calling, check whether you can receive calls again.

 

Install Pending Software Updates

Sometimes, issues with making and receiving calls can be due to bugs or glitches in your phone’s firmware. In such cases, the manufacturer may release a firmware update to fix the problem. Let’s take a look at how you can update your phone’s software:

  • Tap on the Settings app on your device and scroll down to find the “Software Update” option
  • On some devices, you can find the option under the “System Updates” section
  • Then, tap on the “Check for Updates” options and then tap OK to confirm your action

Now, the updater will check for available updates, and if one is available, you can proceed to download and install it. Note that the process may take a while based on your internet speed and your phone may also restart a few times.

 

Final Words

There are several reasons why your Android phone might not be able to make calls but can still send texts. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can troubleshoot the problem and fix it in no time

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