Ever had that nagging feeling when you see a missed call notification, but you never heard your phone ring? It’s not just you. Many people face this issue, and it can be quite frustrating. But why does this happen? This issue can be both confusing and concerning, especially if you’re waiting for important calls.
Common Software/Settings Reasons
Occasional software settings or glitches can prevent the phone from ringing. You will want to check your settings and/or perform updates and patches to see if you can work around these:
Silent Mode
The most common and straightforward reason could be that your phone is on silent. It’s easy to accidentally toggle the silent switch or press the volume down button without realizing it. Even an accidental press can silence your device.
Volume Turned Down
Another possibility is that the ringer volume is turned down too low. To adjust the ringer volume, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics. Under the “Ringer and Alerts” section, drag the slider to the right to increase the volume.
Blocked Numbers
Your phone might be set to block calls from specific numbers. This could be a feature you activated intentionally or accidentally. Ensure you haven’t inadvertently blocked important numbers. You’ll also want to check to see if you have any call diversions (like forwarding a phone number to another number). If you set one up unintentionally or incorrectly, a call divert can send calls straight to voicemail.
This is also common on ‘Unknown Numbers’ – where the carrier cannot tell who the caller is or the caller may block their caller ID from being transmitted.
Network Issues
Sometimes, the problem isn’t with your phone but with the network. Weak signals or network congestion can lead to missed calls without the phone ringing.
App Conflicts
Certain apps, especially third-party call blockers or task managers, can interfere with incoming calls, causing them to go unnoticed. If you have an app that managing calls or notifications, uninstall it to see if the problem goes away.
Do Not Disturb/Airplane Mode Turned On
These modes will mute most notifications and calls. Turning them on accidentally is a fairly common issue that people encounter. Always check to make sure you aren’t on DND or Airplane Mode when you’re having issues getting calls.
Focus Mode
Focus Mode is a more customizable version of Do Not Disturb Mode. You can create different Focus profiles for different situations, such as “Work,” “Personal,” or “Driving.” Each Focus profile can have its own set of allowed notifications. To check if you have a Focus Mode active, swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center. If a Focus Mode is active, you will see a colored icon at the top of the screen. To turn it off, tap the icon and select “Turn Off Focus.”
Non-Contact List Callers
Given the widespread problem unwanted/SPAM callers have created over the years, more and more people are restricting calls to only people on their contact lists. This means that all calls from people who you don’t have setup in your phone will not show as incoming, but those people will be sent to voicemail.
This is technically a setting on your phone so it won’t affect you unless you’ve turned that on, but a lot of people do in fact turn it on and forget that they did.
Common Hardware/Network Reasons
Hardware or network issues can also prevent the phone from ringing, but send your caller to voicemail:
Weak or No Signal
This is actually much more common than people realize. You could be in a dead zone or somewhere where calls are actively blocked. In that scenario the call will never reach your phone. However, if the caller leaves you a voicemail message then you’ll download that either via WiFi or at any point when you re-enter a good zone.
SPAM Callers
In a lot of cases your carrier may block SPAM or Unknown callers from ringing your phone and bothering you. These callers, however, are still allowed to leave you a voicemail message. That could be why you get the voicemail but never saw the call in the first place. Carriers aren’t immune from accidentally tagging the wrong people as possible spammers so in some instances those callers might be legitimate.
Carrier Issues
Temporary disruptions with your mobile carrier can affect calls. While you may be experiencing a temporary issue that is blocking calls at that moment, your callers will still be sent to your voicemail (which you’ll download when the issues go away).
Damaged Speakers
If the speaker is malfunctioning, you won’t hear the ring.
Defective Vibration Motor
If your phone is on vibrate, a faulty motor means no alerts.
International & Roaming Settings
Traveling abroad? Out of your carrier’s coverage area? Roaming or international settings can sometimes affect incoming calls. It may be that your carrier doesn’t provide you with call coverage where you’re at or your carrier is sending calls to voicemail to avoid you paying a large bill. You can check with your phone carrier to see what their policy is when you’re out of range of the network.
Troubleshooting Steps
Restarting Your Phone
The age-old advice of “turn it off and on again” still holds. Restarting can resolve minor software glitches causing the issue. Often, a simple reboot can fix most issues. To restart your iPhone, hold down the Side button and either Volume button until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider to the right to turn off your iPhone. Wait for a minute, then press and hold the Side button again until the Apple logo appears.
Check for Call Forwarding
It’s possible that your calls are being forwarded to another number. To check for call forwarding, go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding. If call forwarding is enabled, you will see a list of numbers that your calls are being forwarded to. To disable call forwarding, tap each number and select “Cancel Call Forwarding.”
Checking & Resetting Settings
Ensure that your phone isn’t on silent, Do Not Disturb mode is off, and no numbers are blocked unintentionally. Regularly review your phone’s settings to avoid unintentional changes. If the problem persists, you can try resetting your iPhone’s network settings. This will erase all saved Wi-Fi passwords and other network settings, so make sure you have them backed up before proceeding. To reset network settings, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Updating Your Software
Outdated software can sometimes cause conflicts. Always keep your phone’s OS and apps updated. By making sure your phone is up to date you’re protecting against other issues as well so this is important.
Seeking Professional Help
If you’ve tried everything and the problem persists, it might be time to consult with a professional or your service provider.
How to Prevent Future Issues
Regular Maintenance
Regularly update your phone, clear cache, and delete unnecessary apps. This ensures optimal performance.
Using Reliable Apps
Always download apps from trusted sources. Some apps can cause more harm than good.
Conclusion
In today’s digital age, our phones are more than just communication devices; they’re lifelines. Missing a call can have various reasons, but with a little troubleshooting, you can ensure it doesn’t happen often. Stay connected, stay updated, and always be on the lookout for ways to optimize your phone’s performance.
Missing important calls can disrupt our daily routines, lead to misunderstandings, or even result in lost opportunities. It’s essential to address this issue promptly.
FAQs
- Why does my phone show missed calls when I’m not using it? This can be due to several reasons, including network issues, silent mode, or app interferences.
- How can I ensure I don’t miss important calls? Regularly check your phone settings, update your software, and avoid downloading unreliable apps.
- Can a damaged SIM card cause missed calls? Yes, a faulty SIM card can lead to network issues, resulting in missed calls.
- Do third-party call blockers always work efficiently? Not always. Some might block calls you want to receive. Always customize settings as per your needs.
- How often should I update my phone’s software? It’s best to update whenever a new version is available. This ensures optimal performance and security.
- Why am I missing calls even when my phone is on? It could be due to settings, network issues, or even hardware problems.
- Can third-party apps cause missed calls? Yes, especially apps that manage calls or notifications.
- How do I check if my phone is on Silent or Do Not Disturb? Check the notification bar or go to settings.
- Why do calls go to voicemail without ringing? It could be due to call divert settings or network issues.
- Can software updates cause my phone not to ring? While rare, some updates might have bugs affecting call notifications.
- How can I ensure I never miss a call? Regularly check settings, update your phone, and stay in areas with good reception.
- Can a faulty SIM card result in missed calls? Yes, a damaged or improperly seated SIM can cause call issues.
- What should I do if I keep missing calls consistently? Consider reaching out to your carrier or visiting a service center.
- Can I retrieve a missed call if my phone didn’t ring? You can see the missed call notification and call back, but you can’t “retrieve” the missed call.
- Is it possible that the caller hung up too quickly? Yes, if a caller disconnects immediately, it might register as a missed call without ringing.
- Q: Why is my iPhone not ringing when I get a call from a specific person?
- A: There are a few reasons why your iPhone might not be ringing when you get a call from a specific person. Here are a few things to check:
- Make sure that you have not blocked the person’s number.
- Make sure that the person’s number is saved in your contacts list.
- Make sure that your iPhone is not in Do Not Disturb mode.
- Make sure that your iPhone is not in silent mode.
- Make sure that your iPhone is not connected to a Bluetooth device.
- A: There are a few reasons why your iPhone might not be ringing when you get a call from a specific person. Here are a few things to check:
- Q: Why is my iPhone not ringing when I get a text message?
- A: Try the following troubleshooting procedures:
- Make sure that you have not turned off notifications for text messages.
- Make sure that your iPhone is not in Do Not Disturb mode.
- Make sure that your iPhone is not in silent mode.
- Make sure that your iPhone is not connected to a Bluetooth device.
- Make sure that your iPhone is not low on battery.
- A: Try the following troubleshooting procedures:
- Q: Why is my iPhone not ringing when I get a notification?
- A: There are a few reasons why your iPhone might not be ringing when you get a notification. Here are a few things to check:
- Make sure that you have not turned off notifications for the app that is sending the notification.
- Make sure that your iPhone is not in Do Not Disturb mode.
- Make sure that your iPhone is not in silent mode.
- Make sure that your iPhone is not connected to a Bluetooth device.
- Make sure that your iPhone is not low on battery.
- A: There are a few reasons why your iPhone might not be ringing when you get a notification. Here are a few things to check:
- Q: Why is my iPhone not ringing when I get a phone call or text message on speakerphone?
- A: There are a few reasons why your iPhone might not be ringing when you get a phone call or text message on speakerphone. Here are a few things to check:
- Make sure that your iPhone is not in Do Not Disturb mode.
- Make sure that your iPhone is not in silent mode.
- Make sure that your iPhone is not connected to a Bluetooth device.
- Make sure that your iPhone is not low on battery.
- A: There are a few reasons why your iPhone might not be ringing when you get a phone call or text message on speakerphone. Here are a few things to check:
- Q: Why is my iPhone not ringing when I get a phone call or text message on my Apple Watch?
- A: There are a few reasons why your iPhone might not be ringing when you get a phone call or text message on your Apple Watch. Here are a few things to check:
- Make sure that your iPhone is connected to your Apple Watch.
- Make sure that your Apple Watch is not in Do Not Disturb mode.
- Make sure that your Apple Watch is not in silent mode.
- Make sure that your Apple Watch is not low on battery.
- A: There are a few reasons why your iPhone might not be ringing when you get a phone call or text message on your Apple Watch. Here are a few things to check:
- Q: What is the difference between silent mode and Do Not Disturb mode?
- A: Silent mode silences all sounds on your iPhone, including the ringer, alerts, and notifications. Do Not Disturb mode silences all sounds except for alarms and calls from your favorites list.
- Q: What happens if I turn off Do Not Disturb mode?
- A: When you turn off Do Not Disturb mode, all sounds will be enabled again, including the ringer, alerts, and notifications.
Hi! I’m Eric and I work on the knowledge base at GadgetMates.com. You can see some of my writings about technology, cellphone repair, and computer repair here.
When I’m not writing about tech I’m playing with my dog or hanging out with my girlfriend.
Shoot me a message at ericchan@gadgetmates.com if you want to see a topic discussed or have a correction on something I’ve written.
