Samsung Galaxy Blog

Samsung Phone Call Issue Troubleshooting Guide

Samsung Phone Not Making or Receiving Calls? Here’s Your Ultimate Fix Guide

There are few things more frustrating than picking up your Samsung Galaxy phone to make an important call, only to find that it won't connect. You have signal bars (or maybe you don't), the phone looks fine, but when you try to dial out, nothing happens—or calls go straight to voicemail.

If you're thinking, "Why is my Samsung android phone not allowing me to make calls?" you are not alone. This is a common issue that usually has a simple solution. In this guide, we will walk you through every possible fix, from the most basic check to advanced troubleshooting. We understand how critical your phone is for staying connected with work, family, and friends, and we are here to help you get it working again.

Why Is This Happening? Understanding the Problem

Before we dive into the fixes, it helps to understand what might be going on. When your Galaxy device is unable to make or receive calls, it is usually due to one of four things:

  1. A physical issue with your SIM card or hardware.
  2. A network or account issue with your mobile carrier.
  3. A software glitch or incorrect setting on the phone itself.
  4. Environmental factors, like being in a location with poor reception.

We will address all of these possibilities in a logical order, so you don't waste time on complicated fixes when a simple one will do.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Your Samsung Galaxy

Follow these steps in order. After each one, test your phone to see if you can make a call.

1. The First Things We Should Always Check

Sometimes the most obvious things are the easiest to overlook. Let’s start with the basics.

  • Is Airplane Mode on? Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Quick Settings panel. If the Airplane mode icon is highlighted (orange or blue), tap it to turn it off. You should see your signal bars return.
  • Is "Do Not Disturb" active? This mode can silence calls and notifications. Check your Quick Settings panel or go to Settings > Notifications > Do Not disturb to ensure it is turned off.
  • Do you have signal bars? Look at the top right of your screen. If you see "No signal," "Emergency calls only," or very low bars, you may simply be in a dead zone. Try moving to a different location, preferably near a window or outside.

2. The "Digital Handshake": Restart Your Device

It sounds simple, but it works more often than you might think. Restarting your phone clears temporary software glitches and forces it to re-register with the mobile network.

  • Press and hold the Side key and the Volume down key together.
  • On the screen that appears, tap Restart.
  • Once the phone boots back up, check your signal and try making a call.

3. Inspecting and Re-seating Your SIM Card

A faulty or poorly inserted SIM card is a prime suspect when you can't make calls. The SIM card is what tells the network who you are and that you're allowed to use its services.

  • Power off your device completely.
  • Locate the SIM card tray (usually on the top or side of the phone). Use the ejector tool (or a small paperclip) to pop it open.
  • Carefully remove the SIM card. Inspect the small gold contacts. Are they dirty or scratched? If dirty, you can gently wipe them with a clean, dry cloth.
  • Place the SIM card back into the tray, ensuring it sits flat and secure, then reinsert the tray into the phone.
  • Power your phone back on and test the call function.

4. Diving into Network Settings

If the physical card is fine, the issue might be in how your phone is connecting to the network.

  • Check Network Mode: Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Network mode. Ensure it's set to a global or automatic option (e.g., "4G/3G/2G (auto connect)"). Choosing the wrong mode can prevent calls.
  • Manually Select a Network: Sometimes your phone gets "stuck" on the wrong network.
    1. Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks.
    2. Tap Network Operators.
    3. Turn off "Select automatically." Your phone will search for networks.
    4. From the list, select your home network (e.g., EE, Vodafone, O2). If it fails, try another. Once you've connected, set it back to "Select automatically."

5. Another Option: Resetting Network Settings

This is a powerful step that will erase all your Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth connections, and cellular settings, returning them to factory defaults. It does not delete your photos, apps, or personal data, making it a safe but effective troubleshooting tool.

To do this:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap General management.
  3. Tap Reset.
  4. Tap Reset network settings.
  5. Tap Reset settings and confirm if prompted. Your phone will restart.
  6. You will need to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks, but this often clears deep-seated software conflicts affecting calls.

6. When the Problem Isn't Your Phone

It is entirely possible that your Samsung is not the source of the problem. You need to consider your account and network coverage.

  • Check Your Account Status: Has your bill been paid? Is your account in good standing? Sometimes carriers suspend service for unpaid bills. Contact your network provider's customer service to verify there are no holds or issues with your line.
  • Check for Outages: Your carrier might be experiencing a temporary network outage in your area. Check their website or social media pages for service alerts. You can also ask a friend or neighbour with the same carrier if they are having issues.

7. The Final Step: Contact Your Network Provider

If you have tried all the above steps and your phone still cannot make calls, it is time to call in the experts—your mobile carrier.

  • They can check your account from their end and ensure your phone is correctly provisioned on their network.
  • They can send a "network refresh" signal to your line, which often resolves mysterious issues.
  • They can also test your SIM card. If it's old or damaged, they can issue a replacement, which usually fixes the problem immediately.

Your Questions Answered: Samsung Call Issue FAQs

We have compiled the most common questions we hear from users like you.

Q: Why does my Samsung say "Not registered on network" when I try to call?

A: This message usually means your phone has lost its connection to your carrier's network and can't re-register. This can happen after a software update, while travelling, or due to a SIM card issue. Try restarting your phone, toggling Airplane mode on and off, or manually selecting your network operator in Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Network Operators as described in Step 4.

Q: I can use mobile data, but I can't make calls. Why?

A: This is a classic sign that your phone supports 4G/5G data but may be having trouble with the older 3G or 2G bands that are sometimes used for voice calls. It can also be related to a feature called VoLTE (Voice over LTE) , which allows calls over the 4G network. Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks and make sure VoLTE calls is turned on. If it's already on, try turning it off and on again.

Q: What if I dropped my phone in water and now it won't make calls?

A: If your device has been exposed to water, even if it is water-resistant, the speaker, microphone, or internal components may be affected. Liquid damage is a common cause of hardware failure. We recommend powering off the device immediately (if you haven't already) and drying it thoroughly. If the problem persists, you will likely need professional repair, as physical damage is often not covered under the standard warranty.

Q: Will resetting my Samsung phone delete everything?

A: Resetting network settings (Step 5) will not delete your personal data like photos, apps, or contacts. It only removes saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, and cellular settings. However, a factory data reset is a much more drastic step that will erase everything and return your phone to its out-of-the-box state. You should only perform a factory reset as a very last resort, and always back up your data first.

Q: I’ve tried everything, and I still can’t make calls. What now?

A: If you've exhausted all the software and network troubleshooting, the issue may be hardware-related. The internal antenna or modem on your Samsung Galaxy device could be damaged. At this point, your best course of action is to seek professional help. You can book a repair at a Samsung Service Centre or contact your carrier to explore warranty or insurance options for a repair or replacement.

We hope this guide has helped you resolve the issue and get your Samsung Galaxy back to making clear, reliable calls.