Phones are now multi-functional, but for many people, their primary function remains enabling people to stay connected. There can be nothing more frustrating than your mobile phone failing you when you are trying to make or receive an important call.

Whether your device is brand new or a second-hand phone, it will not be infallible, and some issues can be inevitable; this is not to say that they cannot be fixed!

In the name of staying connected, our guide breaks down the solutions to some common problems you might be experiencing when trying to make or receive a call.

Why Can’t I Make or Receive Calls?

There could be a number of reasons why you experience trouble with phone calls. Potentials problems could stem from:

• Poor signal or connection.
• Inadequate coverage from your provider.
• The activation of flight or do not disturb modes.
• A malfunctioning SIM card.
• Other internal flaws.

Below, we explore how you can go about fixing these issues to ensure your phone is functioning as it should be.

Check Your Signal

If your phone is mysteriously unable to receive or make calls, your first port of call should be to check your signal strength. On most modern phones, you can see the signal strength in the upper left corner of your screen; the more bars, the stronger the signal, and the more likely calls will make their way through.

If signal is low and shows no sign of picking up, try moving to a different location if possible. Even just stepping outside of a building or trying different areas can help.

Check Your Network Provider’s Coverage

How good your signal and connection are will depend on your network provider, whether this is Vodaphone, Virgin Mobile, T-Mobile, EE, O2 or someone else.

You will be able to see the potential signal strength provided on the relevant provider’s coverage map. If, when you check your area, it states that signal is strong in your location, it is likely that your experience with problematic calls is not down to poor signal; you may have to look elsewhere for the problem and its solution.

Check Your Settings

Often, everything you need to know about your phone and any potential fixes can be easily found in your ‘Settings’.

If you have been unable to receive and make calls, ensure you have not inadvertently switched on ‘Flight mode’ or selected ‘Offline’ or ‘Do Not Disturb’. If, upon investigating your settings, you see that one of these options has been turned on, simply turn it off to give your phone access to calls.

Make sure that there is no timer that will turn these features on again if you are worried about calls being inaccessible.

Turn Your Phone Off and On Again

If in doubt, there can be no harm in attempting the tried-and-tested method of switching your phone off and on again.

When you switch your mobile phone off, take it a step further and remove the SIM card altogether. Wait a moment before switching the phone back on without reinserting the SIM card, then turn it off once more before putting the SIM back. Hopefully, when you turn your phone on again, any momentary glitches will have resolved themselves.

After you have done this, try calling again. If you are still experiencing issues, another solution will be required.

Replace Your SIM Card

If reinserting your SIM card proves unfruitful, you may need to replace it altogether and try your luck with a different one.

Before writing your card off as faulty, you should also make sure that payments are being made and your account is active through your provider.

Ensure Your Battery is Fully Charged

Similarly to turning your phone off and on again, it cannot hurt to make sure your battery is fully charged before attempting any other fixes.

Switch your device off and leave it to charge until it is at capacity before you try to make another call.

Seek Professional Help

It may be that your phone is beyond a simple DIY fix at home. If you are experiencing multiple issues with your phone, you should take it to a phone repair specialist.

A professional will be able to diagnose your exact problems with more accuracy. If none of the above fixes solve your troubles with making and receiving calls, it may be time to seek outside help.

Troubleshooting Tips For iPhones

The solutions above can be applied to all phones, but certain devices may require additional or more specific steps.

Your iPhone’s ‘Settings’ are the best place to go to ensure that ‘Airplane Mode’ and ‘Do Not Disturb’ are both off. You can also check whether any numbers have unintentionally been blocked or the ‘Silence Unknown Callers’ setting has been selected. To view these selections, go to ‘Settings’, ‘Phone’ and then select which item you want to turn off or on.

You should also update your iOS software if there is an available update, as this may be preventing your iPhone from making and being accessible to phone calls.

It may be necessary to reset your network settings by navigating through ‘Settings’, ‘General’, ‘Reset’ and ‘Reset Network Settings’. This will erase the current settings and allow you to start afresh, ensuring that all new passwords and preferred networks are correct.

Troubleshooting Tips For Android Devices

On Android phones, ‘Aeroplane mode’ can be found in Android Quick Settings or through ‘Settings’ and ‘Network & Internet’. Again, ensure it is turned off or, alternatively, enable it and disable it after a moment to see if this has any effect.

If you do not want to eject your SIM card, you can also deactivate and reactivate it through the Android Settings. Select ‘Network & Internet’, then ‘SIM cards’ and tap the ‘On’ option of the SIM you want to deactivate momentarily. It should be noted that you can only deactivate a SIM if your phone has multiple cards.

If you are at a loss, the final resort can be to reset your phone to factory default. If you continue to experience problems after this, your issues are likely hardware-related.

If your device is beyond fixing or you just fancy an upgrade, why not opt for a second-hand phone? All of our phones here at Second-Hand Phones are in full working order, so you shouldn’t have any trouble with their functionality. Shop our range to find your next phone!