There are a few common reasons why your phone may not be ringing when someone calls you. Here are some things to check if your phone doesn’t ring for incoming calls:
1. Do Not Disturb mode is enabled
One of the most common reasons a phone won’t ring for incoming calls is that Do Not Disturb mode is turned on. This mutes all calls and notifications so your phone stays silent. Check your settings to see if Do Not Disturb is enabled and turn it off.
2. Ringer volume is turned down or muted
Make sure the ringer volume on your phone is turned up. Press the volume buttons on the side of the phone to bring up the volume slider and raise it higher. Also check that the ringtone itself isn’t muted.
3. Issues with phone hardware or software
Faulty hardware or glitchy software can prevent your phone from ringing properly. Try restarting your phone – turn it off completely, wait a few minutes, then turn it back on. This resets the phone and often resolves minor software bugs that could be preventing the ringer from working.
If restarting doesn’t help, you may need to check for hardware issues. Make sure the ringtone speaker is not blocked or damaged. Try using headphone mode to see if calls come through to headphones. If the phone still won’t ring, it likely requires service from the manufacturer.
4. Cell signal or wireless connection issues
Weak cell signal in your area can interfere with call connectivity and prevent your phone from ringing. Go outside or near a window where signal is stronger and see if calls start coming through. Moving to a new location for better signal often resolves the issue.
For wireless or VoIP (Voice over IP) phones, connectivity problems with your Internet network can also block incoming calls. Make sure your router is working properly and reset connections on the phone.
5. Issues with your SIM card
Damaged or invalid SIM cards can prevent calls from coming through. Eject the SIM card and check it for damage or dirt. Clean it with rubbing alcohol if needed. Then reinsert the SIM card into your phone.
Also make sure you have an active cellular plan. If your service expired, incoming calls won’t ring. Contact your carrier to resume service if needed.
6. Problems with your phone carrier or number
Network outages or technical issues with your phone carrier can interrupt service and block calls. Check the carrier website or call customer support to see if there are any reported outages in your area.
You may also have call forwarding enabled, sending calls to a different number. Dial *73 on your phone to disable call forwarding. Contact your carrier if you didn’t set up forwarding.
In rare cases, there may be issues with your phone number itself. Working with your carrier to get a new phone number could resolve ongoing problems receiving calls.
7. Blocked callers or numbers
If you have blocked certain contacts or phone numbers, calls from those individuals will go straight to voicemail. Check your blocked calls list under Settings or Phone app options. Remove any numbers you want to receive calls from again.
Some apps like TrueCaller also block spam calls and solicitors. If enabled, these may prevent wanted calls from ringing your phone.
8. Issues with third-party apps
Third-party apps can sometimes disrupt your normal phone settings and functions. If you started having issues after downloading a new app, try uninstalling it. See if the problems persist without the app. Narrow down which app might be causing conflicts.
Restarting your device after uninstalling apps can clear any remaining bugs affecting your ringer and incoming calls.
9. Your phone is in Silent or Vibrate mode
Make sure your phone is not set to Silent mode (no audio) or Vibrate mode. These settings mute the ringer for incoming calls. Check your volume buttons or Settings to switch back to a Normal ringer mode.
10. Issues with your phone jack or connector
Damaged phone jacks and connector ports can cause problems with audio and inbound calls. Check for bent pins, debris, corrosion or other visible issues with the headset jack and charging port. Carefully clean connectors with compressed air.
Try connecting headphones or external speakers to see if calls come through that way. If the phone still won’t ring, the internal hardware likely needs repair.
Conclusion
If your phone doesn’t ring for incoming calls after trying the above fixes, the issue is likely with the phone hardware itself. Contact the device manufacturer for additional troubleshooting or repairs. Advanced software bugs may also require a trip back to the dealer or carrier store.
With consistent issues, it may be time to backup your data and switch to a newer phone model. Get in touch with customer support for warranty coverage or options. A device reset should be the last resort to erase any stubborn software problems.
In many cases, minor settings changes, connectivity fixes, or app uninstalls can get your phone ringing like normal again. Figure out what hardware or software changes occurred right before the issues started. Then methodically reverse those changes until incoming calls can once again come through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has my phone suddenly stopped ringing?
If your phone suddenly stopped ringing for incoming calls, common causes include accidentally enabling Do Not Disturb or Silent mode, turning the ringer volume down, installing a problematic app, losing cell signal, or having issues with the SIM card or carrier network. Try restarting your phone and checking all settings to troubleshoot.
Why does my phone only ring once for calls?
If your phone only rings once for incoming calls before going to voicemail, the most likely cause is weak cell signal in your area. Poor signal can cause calls to drop after just one ring. Try moving to a location with better reception or contact your carrier about network coverage issues.
Why does my phone ring but the screen doesn’t turn on for calls?
For phones that are supposed to activate the screen for incoming calls, a phone that rings but keeps the screen dark usually indicates a hardware, software, or proximity sensor issue. Try rebooting the phone and testing the sensor under Settings. Hardware repair may be required if the problem persists.
Why does my landline phone not ring?
With a landline phone that doesn’t ring, the problem is likely with the physical phone connection. Check that the phone cable is securely plugged into the wall jack and phone. Make sure the ringer volume is turned up and the phone isn’t set to mute. If other phones in your home are also not ringing, contact your landline provider to inspect connections.
Why do some calls ring but others go straight to voicemail?
If your phone only rings for some incoming calls but not others, you likely have those specific contacts or numbers set to go directly to voicemail. Check your blocked calls and contacts list in the Phone app settings. Remove any numbers you want to ring through normally. Network issues can also intermittently send some calls to voicemail.
Tips for troubleshooting a phone that won’t ring
- Restart your phone to clear any software bugs
- Check Do Not Disturb, Silent mode, and ringer volume settings
- Update your device software and apps
- Remove recently downloaded apps that may cause conflicts
- Try your SIM card in another phone to test if it works
- Reset network settings and connections
- Check for hardware damage to the speaker, ports, and microphone
- Test incoming calls at different locations to identify signal issues
- Call your carrier to report network problems or garbled service
| Issue | Potential Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Phone doesn’t ring at all | Do Not Disturb mode enabled, ringer muted, hardware issue, no cell service | Disable DND, increase ringer volume, restart phone, move locations to get better signal |
| Phone only rings once | Poor cell reception, network outage | Move to location with better signal, contact carrier about network issues |
| Landline phone won’t ring | Unplugged connection, wiring problems, ringer turned off | Check wall jack connections, test ringer, contact landline provider |
| Screen doesn’t turn on for calls | Display settings, proximity sensor failure, software bug | Adjust display and lock settings, reboot phone, test sensor hardware |
| Some calls ring but others go to voicemail | Contacts blocked, network outage, carrier filters | Unblock contacts, contact carrier about intermittent network problems |
When to get phone service or repairs
If you’ve tried all the basic troubleshooting steps and your phone still won’t ring reliably for incoming calls, hardware repairs may be needed. Look for visible damage to the external ports, speakers, microphones or display. Internal issues may also prevent the ringer from working properly.
Contact the device manufacturer or your carrier for next steps. Under warranty, repairs may be covered free of charge. Outside of warranty, fees often apply for hardware diagnostic tests and fixes. For older phones, it may be time for an upgrade to a newer device.
Network or carrier-related issues also require professional assistance. Alert your carrier about any unresolved reception or service problems. Tech support can test your SIM card and provisioning, plus investigate area network outages. They may suggest a replacement SIM or phone number, or towers repairs to restore full functionality.
Useful resources for issues with phone calls
- Troubleshooting Verizon incoming call issues
- AT&T guide for phones not ringing
- US Mobile troubleshooting guide
- Samsung phone ringing issues
- Apple support for iPhone not ringing
Dealing with a phone that won’t ring for incoming calls can be frustrating, but the problem typically has a solution. Start with easy DIY steps like adjusting settings and updating software. Ask your carrier to run diagnostics if issues persist. Withconsistent testing and troubleshooting, you should be able to pinpoint the cause and get your phone ringing again in no time.