Owners of any mobile devices may encounter a situation where the basic options of the gadget stop working. A problem in which there is no connection to the cellular network and calls are not received can arise for a client of any mobile provider.
The smartphone can be turned on and carry out other processes without interruption. However, other subscribers simply will not be able to reach the user, the operator will report unavailability, and the called phone will not receive calls.
Can't they call you? Check your phone settings!
The first place to look for the reason is the phone settings. Often users themselves get tricky with the settings. The reasons why they may not reach you are the following:
- you have added a number to the blacklist;
- there is a ban on incoming calls;
- There is a restriction of calls for subscribers not included in the phone book.
Check your Call Barring settings
Go to the “Phone” application and go to settings, they are usually located in the upper right corner of the screen; these are icons with a gear or “hamburger” (three vertical dots. You need to check how the markers are set in the “Call barring” item. Then check the numbers on the black list. It is likely that in it you will find the number of the one who tells you: “I can’t get through.”
Check your Call Barring settings
Check your Forwarding settings
Check your Forwarding settings
Another point to check is redirection. If forwarding is enabled, you need to configure it correctly. It is better to enable redirection:
- if you are out of network access;
- if you are talking to another party;
- Always.
If they complain to you: “I can’t get through, the answering machine is working.” Change your settings or turn off forwarding completely. To ensure you don't miss a call while you're talking to someone else, turn on Call Waiting. In this case, when the second line is triggered, you will hear short beeps.
The caller constantly hears a busy signal.
Turn off mobile internet and synchronization
If you have checked the forwarding settings and everything is fine there, but the caller always hears a busy signal, turn off mobile Internet and synchronization. This usually occurs in areas where operators use old equipment and there is no LTE connection. Usually the person trying to get through then says: “I can’t reach you, it’s always busy. But as soon as you leave the unfortunate area, the calls go fine.
Wrong network type
If you only hear short beeps during an outgoing call, the problem may be that the network type is not selected correctly. For example, a call goes through a cell tower that only supports 2G and 3G, but the phone has 4G enabled. You can fix this in the settings by selecting a different preferred network type and trying to make the call again.
Check if the SIM card is working properly
Check if the SIM card is working properly
If you have reached this point, then the tips above did not help and it’s time to check your SIM card. Often this is where the problem lies, and the problem with calls is accompanied by errors in the Internet or SMS messages. you need to do the following:
- Insert the SIM card into another smartphone and check its operation;
- Insert a SIM card of the same operator into your smartphone and check its operation;
- Examine the SIM card slot and the SIM card itself for damage.
If your SIM card does not work in another phone or smartphone, then examine its contacts. Wipe it with a cloth. Usually this problem appears after cutting the SIM card yourself; if this is the case, then you need to contact the operator and ask to replace it. If possible, wipe the contacts in the SIM tray, they may be oxidized.
If your smartphone has two SIM cards, you should know that the connection to the network occurs through one module. When there are SIM cards from different operators, MTS subscribers may not be able to reach you while you are talking from a Beeline SIM card.
What does it mean if the line is busy?
When a subscriber is talking to someone, most often it is impossible to contact him and we hear the status Line busy. Short beeps are heard in the handset or a message is heard that the phone is busy.
Why is this happening:
- The receiving party is using a phone that is too old. Such devices do not support the multi-call function and cannot connect you via a second line. An unsuccessful connection attempt is sometimes accompanied by an explanation from the autoinformer that the subscriber is busy.
- Even if the subscriber uses a modern telephone model, it is not always convenient to be distracted by a third person during a conversation already in progress. Devices that support the sharing of 2 SIM cards allow you to disable calls on the second SIM card while you are talking on the first.
- The subscriber saw your call, but pressed the “Reject” button, resulting in short beeps. This means that the person is busy or talking with another person.
- A few seconds before your call arrived, the subscriber's phone received another call. Since the line is busy, you hear short beeps.
- If the number is a landline, short beeps may indicate that the phone has been removed from service or temporarily disabled. To make sure of this, continue making new calls throughout the day.
Old landline phone
If the connection could not be established due to a busy line or a disconnected phone, then when the number is free, the mobile operator can send you an SMS. It will indicate that the subscriber has completed the conversation. However, not all operators do this.
This may be useful: How to enter an extension number from a mobile and landline phone.
Fixing a glitch in the phone software
So we checked the phone settings and everything is fine, we checked the SIM card - it is also working. But, they still can’t get through to you, it’s time to look for a problem in the phone software. To identify the error and correct it, you need to take the following steps:
Activate Flight mode for 20 seconds.
After turning off “Flight”, check whether incoming calls are received or not. If there are still no calls, proceed to the next step.
Restart your smartphone.
After each step, check whether you can be reached by phone.
Check the apps on your smartphone.
Calls are often blocked due to incorrect settings in the Black List or Call Recording applications. I recommend removing applications from unknown sources.
Check your smartphone for viruses.
To do this, you must first connect it to your computer in “Storage” mode in order to scan the files for viruses with a computer antivirus program. Then install an antivirus application (for example, Kaspersky Internet Security or Security Master) and check your smartphone. With viruses, people trying to call you usually hear “Busy” or a message that you are offline.
Clear the Phone app cache.
Go to your phone settings in the “Applications” section. Among all the applications installed on your smartphone, find “Phone”. Clear the cache and data in it, and then stop and start the application again. On some smartphones, this application may be called "com.android.phone".
Soft reset.
Save all the necessary data in the cloud or on your computer. Turn off your smartphone, remove the SIM card and press the volume-down and power buttons simultaneously. The smartphone will start in recovery mode. Use the Volume buttons to select Soft Reset, and then confirm by pressing the Power button. In some phones, such a reset can be done from the settings.
Hard factory reset
Since the soft reset did not help, then again go to recovery or system settings and do a hard reset (Wipe data/factory reset).
The phone will return its settings to factory settings - like new. These steps will resolve almost any phone software issue. A reset should only be used in very extreme cases, as applications are removed and all content is erased. It should be noted that some viruses are resistant to resetting, so follow all the points and steps in the order in which they are written. Then you won’t have to look for an answer to the question “why can’t they call me?”
Problem with smartphone hardware
The smartphone fell into the water
If manipulations with the software do not correct the problem, then it is most likely on the side of the communication module. Only repairs can solve it. Before contacting the workshop, it is best to immediately tell the service center about the reasons why this malfunction may have appeared, this will make diagnosis easier. Problems with smartphone hardware usually appear:
- water got into the smartphone;
- the smartphone was dropped or hit hard;
- The smartphone has defective components.
The price of smartphone repair work depends on the damage. The most expensive repair after getting into water. After a fall or impact, it is often difficult to find damage, since microcracks usually appear on the board, which are difficult to see.
If only the radio module or antenna is damaged, then repairs will not be expensive. If the board is defective, the price may be comparable to the cost of a new phone.
After moisture gets into the smartphone, the technician will clean the board, after which the phone will work. However, they do not provide a guarantee for such repairs, since oxidation may begin again. The usual survival rate of a smartphone after exposure to moisture is 50% to 50%.
Error when updating firmware
IMEI may be written on the SIM tray
Failed firmware can lead to all sorts of errors. One of them is that the phone does not accept incoming calls. You can find out whether the firmware was updated correctly by checking the IMEI. To do this, do the following:
- dial the code *#06#;
- A code will appear on the screen, which will need to be compared with that indicated on the box or SIM card tray.
In addition to the box and SIM card tray, IMEI is also on the case or under the battery (if it is removable). If this IMEI does not match, then you need to contact a service center to restore the IMEI. You can also try to roll back the firmware to stock.
I do not recommend rolling back the firmware yourself, unless of course you are an experienced user. During the flashing process, errors may appear that will lead to incorrect operation of certain functions of the phone, or even turn it into a “brick”.
Why is there no dial tone when calling my home phone?
In recent years, the number of people using a home landline phone has dropped significantly, but still some, especially members of the older generation, do not give it up.
If you call your home phone and don't hear a dial tone, it usually means that the wire line leading from the switchboard to the telephone, or from the telephone exchange to the switchboard, is damaged. The malfunction may be caused by excavation work near the communication line, flooding of the distribution well after rains, theft of copper wire, etc. Until the wire line is restored, it will be impossible to reach the subscriber.
It's all the operator's fault!
There was a massive failure in the work of the cellular operator Tele2, Megafon, MTS or Beeline
In certain areas, poor call quality is common. Phone users buy all kinds of signal amplifiers that amplify the waves received from cell phone towers. This helps to achieve a stable signal in a small area (dacha).
If the communication signal icon on your smartphone is full, but they can’t get through to you, the reasons are usually the following:
- You are in a crowded area where the cellular operator's equipment cannot cope with the load. It is especially acute on holidays and weekends. These days, almost no one can reach you on the phone.
- Technical work at the cellular operator, which leads to the fact that everyone who calls you receives a message that you are unavailable. At the same time, the smartphone can reliably receive a signal, but instead of the operator’s logo it says “Emergency calls only.”
- The mobile operator has blocked and no longer services your SIM card. There may be several reasons: violation of the rules for using the network (sending spam, hooliganism, lack of information about the owner of the SIM card), debt, failure to replenish the account for a long time. In this case, those trying to call you receive a message that the number is blocked.
In any case, you need to contact the operator with a question and explain the situation. Do this from another phone. You will need to provide the passport details of who the number is issued to. You may have to visit one of the operator's offices.
Number blocking service
Many mobile operators provide a temporary number blocking service. Some subscribers use it to get rid of calls for a certain period, while callers will receive short beeps or messages that the phone number is busy. You can verify the absence of such connected services by calling your mobile operator or logging into your personal account on the company’s website.
