There are a few possible reasons why your WhatsApp call just keeps ringing when you try to call someone:
They aren’t connected to the internet
For a WhatsApp call to connect, both you and the recipient need to be connected to the internet. If the person you are calling is in an area with poor internet connection or has turned off their mobile data or WiFi, your call will be unable to connect and will just keep ringing on your end. This is likely the most common reason you can’t get through to someone on WhatsApp.
Their phone is off or on Do Not Disturb
If the recipient’s phone is turned off or set to Do Not Disturb mode, your WhatsApp call will go unanswered. Just like a normal phone call, it will ring on your end but not notify the recipient. This means you’ll be waiting for them to pick up but the call is never actually going to connect.
They declined or ignored the call
WhatsApp gives users the option to decline an incoming WhatsApp call. If the person sees your call coming in and presses decline, it will ring on your end but be rejected on their end. Similarly, they can simply ignore or miss your call, which will also result in it continuing to ring unanswered on your end.
Their phone is out of cellular coverage
If you’re trying to call someone who is in an area with no cellular coverage, such as a remote rural location or underground, your call won’t be able to reach their phone. You’ll hear it ringing from your end, but their phone likely won’t ring at all and they won’t know you are trying to call.
They have you blocked
If someone has blocked you on WhatsApp, your calls to them will not go through. Instead, they will ring unanswered on your end, giving the appearance that the call is going through when in fact it is being blocked. This prevents you from knowing definitively that they have blocked you.
When the ringing will stop
When your WhatsApp call just keeps ringing, you’re probably wondering how long it will ring before stopping. Here’s what will happen:
After 20 rings
WhatsApp will only allow a call to ring for up to 20 rings (approximately 1 minute) before automatically ending the call attempt. So if you call someone and it rings 20 times, you’ll then hear a busy signal indicating the call has ended.
When you hang up
You can manually end the call attempt at any time by pressing the “End Call” button on your phone’s screen. The call will immediately stop ringing.
If they reject the call
If the recipient sees your call and clicks to reject or decline it, the ringing will stop on your end and you’ll likely get a notification that your call was rejected.
If you lose internet
As WhatsApp calls require an internet connection, if you enter an area with poor service where you lose your WiFi or mobile data connection, the call will drop and stop ringing.
If you switch apps
The WhatsApp call will end if you navigate away from the WhatsApp app, such as switching to another app on your phone. This causes the ringing to stop.
Why your call may not be going through
Assuming you have a good internet connection, there are some potential reasons why your WhatsApp call is not actually reaching the person you are trying to call:
Outdated app version
Make sure both you and the recipient have the latest version of WhatsApp installed. Using an outdated version can prevent calls from connecting properly.
Do Not Disturb settings
Check that the person you’re calling hasn’t enabled Do Not Disturb mode during certain times or set custom notifications that mute new WhatsApp calls.
Phone software issues
On rare occasions, bugs or glitches with a phone’s software can interfere with WhatsApp call functionality. Restarting the device usually resolves this.
Restricted by their cell carrier
Some cell phone carriers restrict or limit the use of internet-based calls like WhatsApp. Check with the recipient’s carrier to see if any limitations are in place.
Phone number verification issue
WhatsApp may fail to place calls if there is an issue verifying your phone number or the recipient’s number. Re-verify your number in WhatsApp’s settings.
Temporary WhatsApp outage
In the event of a temporary outage or disruption of WhatsApp’s servers, calls may not go through for the duration of the outage. Trying again later often resolves this.
Their account was banned
If the person you are trying to call had their WhatsApp account banned for violating terms of service, your calls and messages will no longer reach their device.
You’re blocked
The most likely reason your call just rings with no answer is that the person has blocked you, preventing your call from ever reaching them. There is no definitive way to confirm if you’ve been blocked.
How to tell if you’re blocked on WhatsApp
If your WhatsApp calls to someone are going unanswered and you think you may be blocked, here are some signs to look for:
Your messages remain unread
If your sent messages continue to show just one checkmark indicating they haven’t been read, this can mean you’re blocked.
Your calls go straight to voicemail
If the calls ring but then quickly go to voicemail, that voicemail greeting may indicate the person blocked your number.
Your profile photo disappears
If you can no longer see the recipient’s profile photo, they may have blocked you. However, this can also just mean their privacy settings changed.
You’re removed from groups
If you get removed from groups with that person, they may have blocked you from seeing group info. Or other members blocked you.
Your messages stop being delivered
If your messages used to show “delivered” but now don’t, you may be blocked. But messages can also fail to deliver due to other issues.
You can no longer see their “last seen” status
If you can’t view the person’s “last seen” time anymore, it could be because you’re blocked, as blockers are removed from a user’s contacts who can view this.
What to do if you think you’re blocked
If you suspect you have been blocked on WhatsApp by someone, here are some constructive ways to respond:
Don’t bombard them with messages
Flooding someone who blocked you with a barrage of messages will only reaffirm why they felt the need to block you in the first place.
Consider why you may have been blocked
Reflect on your past conversations and behavior that could have made them want to block you. Understanding this can help you avoid repeating mistakes.
Move on and focus on other relationships
Dwelling on being blocked will just generate more negative feelings. Shift your time and energy to nurturing other fulfilling relationships in your life.
Do not try contacting them from other numbers
Getting around their block by calling or messaging from different numbers will come across as desperate and invasive and likely make the situation worse.
Accept their decision
Ultimately, you have to accept and respect their choice to block you, as difficult as that may be. Pushing the matter will only drive them further away.
Examine your own behavior
Take some time for self-reflection to see if there are any patterns in your communication that are problematic and may be pushing people away.
Give them space
Rather than incessantly trying to contact someone who blocked you, give them sufficient space and time. In some cases, the situation may improve organically.
Request feedback from a mutual connection
If there are mutual friends you share, politely ask them for feedback about what may have gone wrong between you and the person who blocked you.
Write a sincere apology if appropriate
If your actions clearly crossed a line and hurt them, consider writing a genuine apology explaining how you are committed to improving your future behavior.
When to move on from a blocked contact
It can be difficult to know when is the right time to stop attempting to reconnect with someone who blocked you on WhatsApp. Here are some signs it may be time to move on:
They directly tell you not to contact them again
If they inform you outright not to message or call them anymore in any way, it’s best to respect their wishes and cease contact.
They block you across multiple platforms
If they have blocked your number and social media accounts, they are sending a clear message they want no contact. Continuing to reach out will likely be perceived as harassment.
They block you again after unblocking
If the person temporarily unblocks you but then blocks you again, they do not actually want you contacting them and you should stop entirely.
It’s been more than 6 months
If 6 months or longer have passed with no response from a blocked contact, the relationship likely cannot be salvaged and it’s healthiest to focus your energy elsewhere.
The relationship was abusive
If the blocker ended an abusive or toxic relationship, any attempts to reconnect could threaten their mental health and safety. Permanently cutting contact is warranted.
You have made multiple sincere apologies
If you have apologized thoroughly but they maintain the block, they likely need more time before they are ready to interact with you again.
They have moved on
Clear signs they have moved on, like entering a new relationship or relocating, indicate unequivocally that you should accept the block and stop contact attempts.
They request a restraining order
Any legal action meant to prohibit contact is a serious sign you must cease all communication permanently for ethical and legal reasons.
Coping with being blocked
Being blocked can be very distressing. Here are some tips for managing your emotions and moving forward if you have been blocked:
Talk to trusted friends and family
Confide in close loved ones for reassurance. They can remind you of your worth.
Reflect on lessons learned
Think about what you can take away from the experience so it’s not all in vain.
Remove reminders of the person
Delete old messages, photos and hide social media posts to avoid obsessively dwelling on the block.
Focus your energy elsewhere
Immerse yourself in hobbies, work, exercise or new connections to take your mind off the situation.
Be patient with yourself
Recognize that processing these emotions takes time. Don’t beat yourself up.
Practice self-care and self-love
Make sure to do healthy activities that lift your mood like taking a nature walk or enjoying a fancy coffee.
Seek professional counseling if needed
If the blocking has severely impacted your mental health, see a counselor qualified to help you heal and gain closure.
Learn from the experience
As painful as it is, use this as an opportunity to grow and nurture healthier relationships moving forward.
Limit social media use if it’s distressing
Seeing their posts or if they’ve unblocked others can stir up emotions. Temporarily limit exposure.
When to seek help
In some cases, being blocked may lead to symptoms of depression or anxiety that disrupt your daily functioning. If you experience:
Extreme loss of appetite
Inability to focus at work or school
Withdrawl from normal activities
Constant feelings of despair or worthlessness
Difficulty getting out of bed
Then it may be time to seek professional help from a:
- Psychologist or therapist
- Mental health hotline
- Support group
There are effective strategies and treatments to overcome emotional distress and regain a sense of control and optimism. With time and care, the pain of being blocked will subside.
Conclusion
Being blocked on WhatsApp can be puzzling and disheartening. But there are constructive ways to respond and eventually move on if a contact continually blocks you. Focus on self-care, personal growth and forming new connections. With patience, you will feel better in time. The experience can even teach important lessons about boundaries and healthy relationships. While difficult, try viewing the block as an opportunity to reflect, learn and improve yourself.