Buzz
Prevent missing important calls and messages with these simple fixes.
Is your phone not ringing? While some individuals prefer a silent phone, others enjoy hearing the ringtone when they get a call. There are many reasons why your phone might be silent, so here’s a list of solutions to ensure it rings the next time someone tries to reach you.
Troubleshooting a Phone That Won't Ring
Press the volume up button to make sure your phone isn’t on mute. Review your Control Center or Quick Settings to check if airplane mode or Do Not Disturb (DND) is enabled. If your phone is connected to Bluetooth headphones or speakers, disconnect them so the sound plays through the phone’s speaker.
Instructions
Verify Your Volume Settings on All Devices
Your phone won't ring if the volume is muted or set too low. Increase the volume by pressing the Volume Up button on both iPhone and Android to ensure it's loud enough for you to hear.
- As many volume buttons are external, it’s easy to accidentally lower the volume by pressing the Volume Down button.
- Some iPhones and Android devices feature a setting that disables the external buttons from adjusting the ringer volume. If this happens, go into your Settings and make sure your ringer volume is sufficiently loud.
Set a New Ringtone on Android
Your ringtone file may be damaged or simply no longer functional. It might also be too quiet in noisy environments.
- This could be true if other sounds like music or alarms work fine. If you use a third-party ringtone app, try switching to a built-in sound instead.
Ensure the Ring/Silent Switch is Correct on iPhones
Your iPhone can easily be muted to avoid any noise. For iPhone 15 Pro and later models, this feature is known as the Action Button, which is a button, not a switch.
- If your device has a Ring/Silent switch, make sure it's not showing orange, as that means Silent mode is enabled.
- On the iPhone 16, the Action Button controls Ring/Silent modes. Press and hold the button to switch between Ring and Silent modes. When Silent mode is active, you’ll notice the mute icon in the upper left corner.
Verify Airplane Mode on Android & iPhone
Airplane Mode sends all incoming calls directly to voicemail. You'll still receive calls, but there won’t be any ringing. Additionally, this mode disables Wi-Fi and cellular data, so if your phone isn't getting calls, lacks network connectivity, or can’t access the internet, Airplane Mode is likely the cause.
- On Android, open the Quick Settings panel to disable Airplane Mode.
- On iPhone, open the Control Center to turn off Airplane Mode.
Check Do Not Disturb Mode on Android & iPhone
This mode can silence all incoming notifications. You will see missed call notifications but won’t hear any ringtones.
- On Android, open the Quick Settings panel to turn off Do Not Disturb.
- On iPhone, access the Control Center and tap the crescent moon icon to disable Do Not Disturb.
Disable Call Forwarding on Android & iPhone
If a call is being redirected to a different number, you won’t hear your phone ringing. You can usually check if call forwarding is turned on by looking at the status bar on your phone.
- On Android, open the Phone app and go to Settings > Calls > Call forwarding.
- On iPhone, navigate to Settings and select Phone > Call Forwarding.
Inspect Connected Devices on Android & iPhone
If your sound is routed through headphones, you may miss incoming calls. Check for connected Bluetooth devices to ensure that your phone calls are not being sent to an external audio device.
Review the "Silence Unknown Callers" Setting on Android & iPhone
If you have this feature turned on, your phone won’t ring for calls from unknown numbers. You may notice that you receive voicemails without your phone ringing.
- On Android, open the Phone app, then go to Settings > Block numbers > Block calls from unknown numbers.
- On iPhone, open Settings, then navigate to Phone > Silence Unknown Callers > Off.
- While you're in this menu on either device, check the list of blocked callers to ensure the number trying to contact you isn't blocked.
Reboot Your Phone
A software glitch might be preventing your phone from ringing. If you've already tried other solutions and the issue persists, restart your phone. A simple reboot may resolve the problem!
Look for Malware on Android & iPhone
Malicious apps can sometimes interfere with your phone's ability to ring. Review the list of apps installed on your Android or iPhone and uninstall any unfamiliar apps. For particularly stubborn malware, you may need to boot into Safe Mode on Android to remove them.
Ensure Your Phone is Updated
Outdated software and apps can lead to various glitches. One of these glitches might be silencing your phone, even if you haven't configured it that way.
- For Android, head to Settings > System > System update > Download and install.
- For iPhone, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update > Download and install.
Check Your Network Connection on Android & iPhone
A weak or unstable network connection can cause issues with receiving calls. If your connection is poor, calls may be sent straight to voicemail, or only some calls might be affected.
- Check the signal strength indicator on your screen, typically located in the top-left or top-right corner. Even if your phone shows a strong signal, the caller's network may be weak, impacting your call reception.
Review Auto-Answer Settings on iPhone
If you find that calls don't ring and are immediately connected, you're not alone. This can be especially confusing if you get a call but don’t hear the usual ringtone—you're instantly connected with the caller. This happens when a hearing aid or headphones are connected, causing the phone to pick up the call right away.
- To resolve this, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Call Audio Routing/Auto-Answer Calls.
