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Android Phone Not Receiving Calls? (Try these FIXES!)

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Writer, Android

Chizara is a technical writer who loves learning new things and sharing her knowledge with people in simple, clear terms. As part of her coursework, she is learning about Extended Reality and the Metaverse. She currently serves as a writer at Gotechtor covering all things Android.

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Having a phone that is not receiving calls might pose a safety problem if you’re stranded and need to communicate with people.

There are many reasons why your Android phone might be receiving calls. Fortunately, it’s an easy problem to fix as long as you know what to look for.

This guide explores all the possible causes and solutions to help you fix the Android phone not receiving calls issue.

Why Is Your Android Phone Not Receiving Calls

Network issues are the most common cause of an Android phone not receiving calls. Poor signal strength can stop calls from getting to your phone.

Other reasons why your Android phone might not receiving calls include the following:

  • Airplane mode is turned on.
  • The Phone is on Do Not Disturb (DND)
  • Call Forwarding is turned on.
  • Software issues.
  • A blocked number calling

How to Fix Android Phone Not Receiving Calls

If your Android phone is not receiving calls, you need to check the network signal. A low signal strength could be causing the problem. Move around and try different locations to see whether your network signal strength improves.

1. Restart Your Device

Restarting your phone might help restart the network signal on your device. It would also clear bugs and fix system glitches. It is advised to restart your phone regularly.

To restart your Android Device, please follow these steps:

  • Long-press the ON/OFF button on the side of your device until you get a prompt like the one below.
restart your device
Restart Your Phone. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Click on Restart to power off and power on the device.

Note: The interface you get may differ from the image above if you have a different Android brand. The buttons will still be the same.

2. Turn Off Airplane Mode

When your phone is in Airplane Mode (or Aeroplane Mode), you will be unable to receive or make calls. All you have to do to fix it is turn off Airplane mode to fix the problem.

To turn off Airplane Mode, swipe down from the top of your screen to show the menu. Click on the airplane icon to turn it off/on. Make sure it is deselected.

Turn off airplane mode.
Turn Off Airplane Mode. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

Ask someone to call you. You should now be able to receive calls on your phone.

3. Turn Off Wi-Fi Calling

If your Android phone is not receiving calls, you can try troubleshooting the issue by disabling the Wi-Fi Calling feature. While it’s useful, it may interfere with your phone’s ability to receive calls.

To disable Wi-Fi Calling on your device, follow the steps below:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Go to Network and internet.
  3. Select Wi-Fi Calling.
  4. Toggle the switch next to Wi-Fi Calling to disable the feature.

After disabling Wi-Fi calling, check to see if your phone can receive calls again.

4. Check Call Forwarding Settings

Call forwarding redirects or forwards your incoming calls to another phone number or, sometimes, voicemail. This could be why you are unable to receive calls on your phone.

To turn off call forwarding, follow these steps:

  • Open the Phone app.
  • Open the Phone Settings.
  • Goto Call Settings. You can also find these settings under Call Accounts.
  • Make sure that call forwarding is turned off in all the options.
turn off call forwarding in all sections
Turn Off Call Forwarding. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

5. Turn Off Do Not Disturb Mode

When your device is on Do Not Disturb (DND) mode, it stops all notifications, calls, alerts, and even vibrations from coming to your device.

This way, you are not disturbed or distracted. However, you will not be able to receive calls when this feature is turned on since your phone won’t ring.

To turn off Do Not Disturb Mode, open your settings and search for “Do Not Disturb“. It would be under Notifications or Sound & Vibration. When you find the feature, turn it off.

Turn Off Do Not Disturb. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

6. Turn Your SIM Off and Then On

Disabling and enabling your SIM can fix the network glitch causing the problem and allow your phone to receive calls.

To turn off a SIM card, follow these steps.

  • Go to Settings and then click on the Connections tab.
  • Select the SIM Card Manager on your Android device.
  • Turn off the SIM card.
  • Turn it back on.

Try to receive a call. The call will come through.

7. Clear Cache of the Phone App

Clearing the cache of the Phone app can solve the “Android Phone Not Receiving Calls” error. To clear the cache of the app, follow these steps:

  • Open Settings on your Android Device.
  • Go to Apps.
  • In the Apps list, click on Phone.
  • In the app info page, click on Storage.
  • Select Clear Cache.

Restart your phone. You will be able to receive calls without problems.

8. Reinsert Your SIM Card

Taking out your SIM card and placing it in the tray properly can help solve the “Android Phone Not Receiving Calls” issue.

Reinsert your SIM card into your phone
Reinsert your SIM card into your phone. Herby Jasmin

Taking out your SIM card might just be the fix to reset whatever problems are stopping you from receiving phone calls.

Also, if your SIM card isn’t sitting properly in the tray, it will not work effectively, and sometimes, it will not even show on your device.

To remove and insert your SIM card, you must remove the SIM tray with the SIM ejector tool (a pin-like object). Push the pin gently into the hole beside the SIM tray to release.

Take out your SIM card and check for damages to the card. If there are none, put the SIM card and tray back in properly.

9. Update Your Android Device

An out-of-date Android version can cause problems for your phone. This might cause the problem with your phone being unable to receive phone calls. Regular updates allow your phone to work optimally and get rid of bugs.

To update your Operating System, follow these steps:

  • Go to Settings and select Software Update.
  • Click on Download and Install.
  • Click on the Download to start updating

10. Reset Network Settings on Your Android Phone

If your mobile network connectivity is corrupt, it might cause your Android phone to stop receiving calls. You will have to reset your network.

Resetting your network does not clear your data, such as photos, videos, messages, or contacts, nor will it delete your mobile carrier functionality or account information.

Here’s what a network settings reset deletes:

  • Wi-Fi network names and passwords.
  • Bluetooth device connections and preferences.
  • VPN configurations and preferences.
  • Cellular network settings.

Follow these steps to reset your network settings:

  • Go to Settings and click on General Management.
  • Click on the Reset panel.
  • Select Reset Network Settings.
  • Click the Reset Settings button to completely reset your device’s network settings.

Now that your network settings have been reset, you can start receiving calls on your Android phone.

11. Use a Different SIM Card

You can use another SIM Card to test if the issue comes from your Android device or your SIM card.

Sim card next to Android phone
Sim card next to an Android phone. Herby Jasmin/Gotechtor

Try another SIM card in your tray and see if you can receive calls. If you can, the problem may be with your SIM or the network provider.

12. Contact Your Network Provider

If all these fixes fail, you should contact your network provider to confirm if the issue is from their side. There could be a general downtime or problem causing calls to not get to your device.

13. Take Your Phone to a Repair Centre

After confirming that the problem is not general and from your network provider, it is safe to say that it is hardware-related. Take your phone to a repairer to get it checked and fixed.

Wrap-Up: Android Phone Not Receiving Calls

If your phone isn’t receiving calls, you don’t have t abandon the device. You can use one of our fixes to get it working normally and receiving calls in a few minutes.

Try these fixes to solve the “Android Phone Not Receiving Calls” issue.

  • Restart your Android phone
  • Turn off Airplane Mode
  • Turn off Wi-Fi Calling
  • Check Call Forwarding settings
  • Turn off the “Do Not Disturb” mode
  • Turn your SIM off and then On
  • Clear the cache of the phone app
  • Reinsert your SIM card
  • Update your Android device
  • Reset your network settings
  • Use a different SIM card
  • Contact your network provider
  • Take your phone to a repair center

We hope our fixes helped solve your call-receiving problems. If you fixed the problem with any other solution, please share it in the comments section.

Writer, Android

Chizara is a technical writer who loves learning new things and sharing her knowledge with people in simple, clear terms. As part of her coursework, she is learning about Extended Reality and the Metaverse. She currently serves as a writer at Gotechtor covering all things Android.

Chizara Ibeakanma

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