The subscriber gets one beep, and then it’s busy: what does this mean?

The level of modern communications has increased incomparably since the days of constant search for a good signal. The quality of mobile phones is also improving, allowing them to work with improved 4G and VoLTE technologies. However, even these facts cannot affect the long-standing problem when the phone cannot receive incoming calls. For example, very often device owners complain that when calling another subscriber, there is one beep, and then the line is busy or the call is dropped. In this article we will point out the most likely sources of this problem one by one.

There is a dial tone and the subscriber is constantly busy

The subscriber gets one beep, and then it’s busy: what does this mean?

The level of modern communications has increased incomparably since the days of constant search for a good signal.
The quality of mobile phones is also improving, allowing them to work with improved 4G and VoLTE technologies. However, even these facts cannot affect the long-standing problem when the phone cannot receive incoming calls. For example, very often device owners complain that when calling another subscriber, there is one beep, and then the line is busy or the call is dropped. In this article we will point out the most likely sources of this problem one by one. There is a dial tone and the subscriber is constantly busy

The subscriber has no money

How to take out a debt from MTS?
The message “This type of communication is not available to MTS subscribers” may occur due to insufficient funds in the account. In some packages, incoming calls may be disabled when there is a minus and after the period for replenishing the minus account has expired.

You can solve the problem and continue to speak freely after replenishing your funds. Moreover, if the subscriber uses a plan with a monthly tariff, in such situations, you can “connect” his mobile phone only when paying a monthly payment using a SIM card.

What can be done:

• top up your account with a small amount;
• pay the subscription fee according to the tariff.

Don't know how to check your balance? All ways to check your MTS balance in one place >>>>

Getting blacklisted

The first thing you need to do is exclude getting on the blocked list. By default, adding a number to the black list blocks incoming calls. In this case, the subscriber will hear one or several short beeps when dialing and the connection will be reset.

If you have been blacklisted through special programs, a situation with a constant long call is possible. At the operator level, you can also block a number, but at the same time there may be beeps, and then service voice alerts from the plan “The subscriber cannot receive your call” or “The subscriber is currently unavailable” appear.

Try to dial the subscriber three times in a row within a few hours; if it is constantly busy, you are most likely blocked. For additional proof, call the problem number from another phone; if the call goes through, it means your incoming messages are blocked.

Many people send SMS for verification to receive a delivery report. I would like to note: such a check will not always give an accurate answer, since when entering into an emergency situation, you can set a ban on receiving SMS or not.

Can't they call you? Check your phone settings!

Before looking for the cause of the problem, you need to check the settings. Often users set them incorrectly on their own. The reason for incoming call failures may be:

• adding some numbers to the black list (in this case, you cannot get through to one number or several that are included in this section of exceptions);
• setting a ban on incoming calls;
• limiting calls for subscribers not included in your address book.

Phone app settings

Phone application settings
You can check the settings from the Phone application. Open it and go to settings, they may be hiding behind a gear or three vertical dots in the top right corner of the screen. You need to look at how the markers are set in the “Call Barring” item. Then check the numbers on the blacklist. Perhaps in it you will find the number of someone who tells you: “I can’t get through.”

Forwarding settings

Another section to check is redirection. If it is enabled, then it is important to select the settings correctly. Redirection can be enabled:

• for times when you are offline;
• at moments when you are talking with another interlocutor;
• on an ongoing basis.

If they tell you: “I can’t get through, the answering machine is always on.” Change the settings to acceptable ones or disable forwarding altogether. To ensure you don't miss an important call while you're talking to someone else, turn on Call Waiting. In this case, when the second line appears, you will hear beeps.

Is it busy all the time? Try turning off data transfer

If everything is fine with the settings, but the interlocutors constantly hear a busy signal, turn off mobile Internet and synchronization. This problem appears in areas where old equipment is used and there is no 4G communication channel. In this case, you can often hear a complaint: I can’t get through, the line is busy. At the same time, being in another area of ​​the city, you can receive calls without restrictions.

Check if the SIM card is faulty

After checking the settings and if this does not help, you need to examine the SIM card. Often the problem is hidden there; you will not only not be able to receive calls, but also use the Internet or SMS messages. The procedure is simple:

• try calling;
• check the operation of the SIM card in another device;
• find another SIM of the same operator as yours, check its operation in the same place where you discovered the problem;
• examine the card slot and the SIM card itself.

If the SIM card does not work in another phone, then look at its contact pad. Wipe it with a soft cloth. Often problems arise after cutting the SIM card yourself; if this happened immediately after purchasing a new phone, then you need to contact your operator for a replacement. Contacts on your phone also need to be wiped if dirt is visible on them.

When using two SIM cards in the device, the connection to the network occurs through one module. If you installed SIM cards from different operators, then you cannot be reached on MTS while you are using Megafon (you may have cards from other communication providers).

Fixing a software crash

If the settings are set correctly, and the SIM card is working, and calls are also not coming to you, then it’s worth working with the “Phone” application. To determine the extent of the breakdown and fix it, you must follow the instructions:

• How can I do it on a mobile phone so that the subscriber with whom I don’t want to talk is constantly busy?

1. Turn on Flight mode, turn it off after 20 seconds. Check your ability to receive incoming calls. If they can’t reach you on your phone, follow the step-by-step instructions below.
2. Reboot your device and check if you can receive calls. Next, after completing each step of the instructions, ask the assistant to call you . Follow these steps until you are able to receive calls again.
3. Check your phone software. Often, calls are blocked due to incorrect settings of programs such as “Black List” or “Call Recorder”. It is best to get rid of software from unofficial sources.
4. Check your phone with antivirus software. To do this, you must first connect it to your PC in “Storage” mode in order to scan the files with the program you have on your computer. Then download an antivirus application (Dr. Web, Kaspersky Anti-Virus) and scan your smartphone again. When viruses are active, interlocutors hear, when they cannot reach you, “Busy” or a message that the subscriber is offline.
5. Through the general phone settings, go to the “Applications” section. Among all the software installed on the device, find the “Phone” application. Clear its cache and data, and then stop and run the utility again. In some smartphones, this application is listed under the name “com.android.phone”.
6. Save all the necessary information in cloud storage or on your PC. Remove the SIM card and press the volume (down) button and the power key at the same time. The device will restart and turn on in system settings mode. Using the volume key, select SoftReset, and then confirm your consent to reset with the power button of the device. In some smartphones, a soft reset can be done from the general settings tab.
7. If the soft reset does not help, then go to the system settings again and perform a hard reset (Hardreset). Then the phone will completely roll back to its original state.

These manipulations will help get rid of any problems with the software. A reset should only be used as a last resort, as this will destroy all data and uninstall applications. It is worth noting that some viruses are resistant to resetting, so do all the steps in the order in which they are given. Then the problem of why the person can’t get through will leave you alone.

Hardware faults

If working with the software does not bring results, then the problem may be on the side of the communication module. Only a master can solve it. Before contacting it, think about why the malfunction occurred; it is best to immediately inform the service center about the possible causes, this will make diagnosis easier. Hardware problems usually arise:

• after exposure to moisture;
• during impacts and after falls;
• due to the low quality of components used in assembly.

The list of restoration work is compiled based on the damage. The most expensive way to restore a smartphone is after it gets wet. After a fall or impact, it is often difficult to find a fault, since microcracks often appear on the board, invisible to the human eye. Therefore, the externally working phone board may fail you at the right time.

If only the radio module or antenna is damaged, then repairs will be inexpensive. If the board is damaged, the cost may be comparable to the price of a new smartphone of the same class.

If moisture gets in, the technician first tries to clean the board, after which the smartphone may begin to work normally, but no one will give you a guarantee for such repairs, since oxide may appear again or the board may delaminate after drying.

Incorrect operating system update

Unsuccessful firmware can lead to various consequences. One of them is the inability to receive calls. You can determine whether the firmware was installed correctly by checking the IMEI. To do this, follow the instructions:

• dial the command *#06#;
• A code will be displayed in front of you, which will need to be compared with that indicated on the box.

If you have lost the packaging of your smartphone, you can look at the IMEI on the case or under the battery (if it is removable). If this number does not match what you received during the check, then you need to contact the service center to restore the IMEI. You can also try rolling back the firmware to stock.

It is not recommended to change the firmware yourself if you are an inexperienced user. During the process, problems may arise (connection loss, incorrect data copying), which will lead to the inability to continue using all the functions of the smartphone; in the most difficult cases, it does not turn on at all after flashing.

Problem with the subscriber's phone

If you know for sure that the number was not included in the black list, and the call quality is good, it makes sense for the problem subscriber to check his phone. Try to contact him via the Internet (e-mail, Viber, WhatsApp, Skype, social networks) and ask him to follow the following instructions:

• If you are told that the line is always busy, restart your mobile device. Remove the battery and card. If there is a second slot, temporarily move the SIM card there. Thus, eliminate isolated malfunctions in the operation of the phone and its communication modules.
• Very often, new devices have a problem with the preinstalled network type (2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, VoLTE).
  To exclude this option, you will need to change the preferred network type to a lower value, for example from 4G to 3G or from 3G to 2G. This is done on the phone through the mobile network settings or the SIM card menu. Temporarily change the network type
• If you actively use the mobile Internet, turn it off for a while and restart your smartphone.
• To exclude a technical malfunction of the SIM card. You need to check its operation in another mobile device. The stability of the phone itself can also be checked.
• In some cases, at the SIM card settings level, all incoming messages may be blocked. I advise you to open the sim menu and check this point.

I hope now you have a general picture of the reasons why when you make a call there is one ring, and then the line is busy or the call is dropped. If all of the above problems have been experimentally excluded, I advise you to contact the support of your telecom operator and find out the reasons for blocking outgoing or incoming calls to the number.

When someone is blocking your number, there are several ways to tell, including unusual messages and how quickly your call goes to voicemail. Let's look at what clues indicate that your number is blocked and what you can do about it.

Since determining whether your computer is locked isn't necessarily easy, remember that the best way to find out is to ask the person directly. If this isn't something you can or want to do, we have some tips to help you determine if you're blocked.

Depending on whether they blocked your number on their phone or with the wireless carrier, the keys to the blocked number will be different. Similar results can be obtained from other factors, such as turning off the cell tower, turning off the phone, having a low battery, or turning on Do Not Disturb mode. Dust off your detective skills and let's check the evidence.

Interference due to mobile Internet

Why is he doing this? About the blacklist Probably every cellular subscriber has problems with communication, and most often users get mad when they can’t get through to another subscriber. It happens that the phone is busy for hours - what does such a “blockade” mean and why you cannot hear the voice from the other end of the line, you will find out from the review. Another option that, in theory, allows you not to miss an important call in Do Not Disturb mode is called “Repeat calls”; you can enable it in the same Settings Do Not Disturb menu (see screenshot above). In active mode, the function skips a call to the iPhone if this is the second attempt to call in the last three minutes.

Tip #1: Unusual messages when you call

There is no standard blocked number message, and many people don't want you to know for sure when they blocked you. If you receive an unusual message that you haven't heard before, they have most likely blocked your number through their wireless carrier. The message varies depending on the carrier, but is generally similar to the following:

• "The person you are calling is unavailable"
• “The person you are calling is not accepting calls right now.”
• “The number you are calling is temporarily out of service.”

If you call once a day for two to three days and receive the same message every time, the evidence shows that you are blocked.

Exceptions: They often travel abroad, natural disasters damage network infrastructure (cell towers and transmitters), or a major event that results in an unusually large number of calls being made at once, although in this case they usually say "all lines are busy."

Call from another number if the subscriber is unreachable

In some cases, the subscriber activates the voluntary number blocking service. In this case, the number is frozen, and the subscriber is charged a symbolic one ruble per month for using the service. This may be relevant in cases where a person leaves the country for a long time or has significant financial problems, but wants to keep this number for himself.

Find out if the subscriber is using an alternative number. We also recommend calling him from a different number. Perhaps the user has blacklisted your number, and because of this you cannot reach him. This means that in this case you hear the message “This type of communication is not available to the subscriber.”

Hint #2: Number of rings

If you only hear one ring or none at all before the call goes to voicemail, it's a good sign that you're blocked. In this case, the person used the number blocking feature on his phone. If you call once a day for several days and get the same result every time, this is strong evidence that your number is blocked. If you hear three to five rings before the calls route to voicemail, you are probably not blocked (yet), but the person is rejecting or ignoring your calls.

Exceptions: If the person you are calling has Do Not Disturb turned on, the call will quickly go to voicemail like everyone else. You will also get this result when your phone's battery runs out or the phone turns off. Wait a day or two before calling again to see if you get the same result.

Using instant messengers, SMS and social networks to communicate with a person

If you have the opportunity to use alternative communication channels (for example, instant messengers), and your subscriber also uses them, then it is worth using these tools. With good Wi-Fi quality, voice communication in instant messengers will be quite comfortable.

You can also try sending SMS messages. Various types of operator blocking often do not apply to SMS, and the subscriber will receive your message.

Also use social networks. It is sometimes easier to contact some regulars of the latter through VK or Instagram than by phone.

Tip #3: Busy or Fast Busy Signal followed by Shutdown

If you receive a busy signal or fast busy signal before the call is dropped, your number may be blocked through your wireless carrier. If test calls several days in a row produce the same result, consider this evidence that you are blocked. Of the various clues that indicate a blocked number, this one is the least common, although some operators still use it.

A much more likely reason for this outcome is that either your carrier or their carrier is experiencing technical difficulties. To check, call someone else—especially if they have the same operator as the person you're trying to reach—and see if the call goes through.

How to call if such a message appears

So, if you received the message we are considering, then most likely you are calling one of the numbers of an MTS (Mobile TeleSystems) subscriber who has (or has blocked) incoming calls for some reason. For other operators, usually the message I am considering has a modified lexical form like “This number (or subscriber) is not in service” (Megafon); “The number you dialed is temporarily blocked” (Beeline) and so on.

Action 1. First, try to wait a little , calling back after a while. If this is an operator failure or simply your subscriber is in the metro where the signal level is weak, then with a little patience and patience, you will be able to get through to the person you need.

Action 2. If the subscriber's number is blocked for financial reasons, the simplest solution to the problem would be to top up the mobile account of the person you are calling . It is quite possible that the latter is currently experiencing certain financial difficulties, and if you want to urgently call him on an important matter, it will be easier to simply top up his mobile account. Today, operators allow you to do this without any problems, using terminals located nearby, SMS, online banking, and so on. Moreover, if your subscriber is roaming abroad, it is worth topping up his account with a qualitatively larger amount than would be necessary for calls within the country.

Action 3. It is also worth trying alternative ways to contact the subscriber. Use various Internet instant messengers, email, SIM cards from other operators, calls to the mobile phones of his family and friends, in short, those methods that will help you contact the person you need. At the same time, by blocking incoming calls, operators often leave the possibility of receiving incoming SMS messages, so if you need to notify the subscriber about any event, you can try sending him an SMS message. In the best case, you will even be able to receive a reply SMS, since the fee for the latter, even in roaming, is not that high.

As a last resort, you can call your operator’s hotline, talk about the specifics of your problem and ask if the operator is currently having problems with communication and what you should do in this situation.

What can you do when someone blocks your number?

While there is nothing you can do to unblock your number from your wireless carrier or phone, there are several ways to get into or verify that your number is actually blocked. If you try one of the options below and get a different result or hint from the list above (assuming they don't respond), take that as proof that you've been blocked.

“The subscriber’s phone is busy, leave a message after the signal” may indicate that the person is outside the network coverage area, uses the mobile Internet, or has added the number to the “black list.” There are other reasons, such as technical problems and overloaded cell towers. All of them will be discussed in the text below.

Blocking

If the balance is negative and the subscriber has not tried to avoid blocking, then incoming messages may be blocked.

The reason may also be more trivial, for example, your friend is roaming and does not want to use the service from his card.

• What does it mean the subscriber is temporarily unavailable to mts. Subscriber is temporarily unavailable (Beeline) - what does it mean?

Even if the subscriber has blocked his incoming messages and his number without using a SIM card, you hear a response about the impossibility of communication, and there are other ways to contact him. Your interlocutor can respond to SMS if you cannot get through on the phone. They are available outside the MTS network zone when traveling abroad for free.

What can be done:

• send SMS if the user is roaming.

Reasons that prevent a subscriber from answering an incoming call

Do not panic if, when you try to dial, the answering machine reports that the subscriber is busy or cannot accept the call. Among the most common reasons that prevent you from reaching a specific person:

1. It is located in an underground parking lot or in an underpass where the signal is very weak or unstable.
2. The subscriber's phone is dead or the person is in a cinema, museum, exhibition hall or other place where it is prohibited to use mobile communications.
3. The person was urgently called to a meeting or important negotiations. He may have been prompted to turn off his phone by circumstances such as driving during rush hour or sleeping.
4. The subscriber is in an area of ​​weak or unstable reception (outside the city or in a place with particularly strong interference).

The first thought that may come to mind when, when calling, the answering machine reports that the person is busy - the subscriber is already communicating with someone at the moment. However, most modern smartphones support multi-channel calls. Therefore, even if the person on the other end of the line is speaking at the time of the call, the dial tone will still ring. The subscriber's phone may be busy for the following reasons:

Technical problems

Despite the fact that leading modern cellular operators such as MTS, Tele2 and Beeline use advanced technical equipment, various failures and malfunctions may be observed in their work. The most common causes of technical problems are weather conditions and network congestion during major holidays. For example, when trying to congratulate friends or relatives in the first minutes of the New Year, short beeps may mean that at that moment the load on the tower exceeds the maximum permissible capacity.

"Black list"

If, when trying to dial, the answering robot constantly reports that the person is busy, the reason may be that the number has been blacklisted. You can enable it both in the smartphone settings and by activating the service of the same name, which is offered by all cellular operators (Megafon, MTS, Beeline, Tele2 and others). To solve this problem you should use one of the following methods:

• send a regular SMS message to the subscriber’s number with a request to remove it from the black list, having first enabled delivery reporting;
• call from another number - if the call goes through, it means the previous number was included in the “black list”;
• use alternative communication methods (Telegram, WhatsApp, Skype and Viber messengers are equipped with the option of both video and audio calls).

A person could temporarily turn off communication by switching the mobile phone to offline mode. In this case, there is no point in sending him SMS messages. You should wait a while and make another call attempt.

Using mobile internet

New smartphone models are designed for multi-channel communication. However, if a person has an outdated phone, calls may not reach him while surfing the Internet due to the technical imperfection of the device itself. In such a situation, it is worth dialing the subscriber several times in a row or sending him an SMS message asking him to call back.

Other reasons

Some busy people set up their phone book so that at certain times the smartphone only accepts incoming calls from the contact list. In this case, you can send an SMS message that will definitely reach the subscriber. The most unlikely reason for the answering machine to notify you that a person is busy is a malfunction of the smartphone. Even an expensive device can fail after a shock, moisture, or failure of one of the components.

Reviews

If, after one long beep, short beeps immediately begin, you know that your number has been included in the emergency situation. You will have to call from another phone or stop trying to contact the subscriber.

Diana

Recently I tried all day to get through to the person I needed, but short beeps were constantly heard on the receiver, as if the subscriber was talking to someone. I contacted him via Skype and reported this problem, which was solved immediately after restarting the phone.

Vladimir

What to do in such situations

After being notified that “The subscriber’s phone is busy, leave a message after the signal,” you can leave him a voice message. It is also worth sending an SMS with a request to call, having first activated the delivery report option. If a person may be in danger, it is recommended to go in search of him, starting from his place of work or study.

In order to always be in touch with the subscriber, it is worth thinking in advance about alternative ways of getting in touch, such as instant messengers and social networks.

Signal

Uncertain reception areas

In some cases, a message about the unavailability of a communication service for a subscriber may be issued when the signal is uncertain. For example, in certain 2G coverage areas. The reasons for the subscriber's unavailability are selected automatically by the system, so if a person is in the area of ​​​​uncertain reception, you can receive such a response from the company. Viewing the coverage map is available on the provider’s website and other resources.

To be aware of reception conditions in different parts of the country, use the MTS coverage map >>>>>

Border crossing

Such a message is often typical for being in border areas, during a journey, when, for example, a train moves for a short distance through the territory of another state or in the coverage area of ​​cellular towers of foreign operators. This can be clearly seen in the example of Blagoveshchensk, near the border of Finland and Belarus. To be constantly in touch, you need to top up your account and activate roaming.

4G/2G

A similar problem can be encountered when using an LTE 4G - USIM card. For example, if you are trying to establish a connection with a subscriber who does not use LTE capabilities or is outside the coverage area. Try changing your phone settings and calling the subscriber back strictly in 2G format. Usually newer devices allow you to do this without problems, but there are certain restrictions in the settings.

Expert opinion Igor Gaidov Author and editor. Expert of the Tarifgid.info portal specializing in tariffs and services of telecom operators. Hello, I have been involved in the Internet, communications and IT technologies for more than 7 years, if you have not found the answer to your question on this page, contact me right now and I will answer it as soon as possible. Thank you for your trust! Fresh questions are published in the “Help” section and help solve problems encountered by other site users.

• The subscriber's phone is temporarily unavailable: what does this mean?

Some subscribers are faced with a situation where the phone is turned on, but incoming calls do not go through. Sometimes in such situations you receive messages that someone tried to call you. If you have not activated such alerts from your operator, then you may not know that someone was trying to call you. So, let’s figure out in what cases subscribers cannot get through to the phone. There may be several reasons, let's look at each of them.

What can cause network congestion?

The network may also be overloaded for other reasons beyond the control of the subscriber. The simplest and most common reason is an emergency at the station or malfunction of the equipment that supports the network. As a rule, such problems are resolved very quickly and are not very noticeable to subscribers. Also in the cellular communication system there is the so-called “Network Planning” - when all the operator’s networks are built with a certain reserve. When this reserve is exceeded, some cannot get through because there is not enough reserve for them (it is not profitable for a telecom operator to expand the network for extra calls that are used very rarely, say, on New Year's Day). Also, networks are built taking into account the estimated amount of traffic, which does not provide for round-the-clock conversations of all subscribers in the network.

The cause of network overload may be a malfunction of the base station in a certain area or maintenance work. At this time, the load is transferred to another BS, and accordingly, it may not be able to cope with them. Network congestion can occur during promotions, when the operator offers temporary calls at a reduced cost. The number of calls increases sharply, and the same number of stations are installed. Another problem may be a shortage of cellular frequencies when the number of subscribers exceeds the permissible limit in permissible frequencies.