iPhone Call Failed? Here’s How to Fix The Issue!

If you're trying unsuccessfully to place a call, here are the most common ways to fix a call failed error on your iPhone.

By Kristina Terech - Staff Writer
4 Min Read

Did you try to make a call from your iPhone, but it’s not going through? Instead, your iPhone shows an error message saying Call Failed. In this article, I’ll explain why your iPhone call failed and show you how to fix the problem for good.

Try your call again

I know this sounds obvious, but the first thing you should do is to try making the call again. Often, a call will fail on an iPhone thanks to a random network glitch, and the call will work just fine a moment later. Before you try other troubleshooting steps, tap the dial button to redial your last number. If the call still fails, move onto the next step.

Try moving your location

If you’re at a remote outdoor location, or if it’s raining or snowing in your area, you may experience poor cell reception. Check the cell signal icon in your iPhone’s status bar to find out if this is why your iPhone calls are failing.

If there’s only one vertical bar filled in, you can try moving to another location to get a stronger signal in order to make a call. For example, if you’re indoors, go outside, or otherwise try to change your location and dial again.

If there are no bars at all, or if you see No Service in the status bar, visit your network provider’s website and look for a coverage map to find out if you’re supposed to get any signal in your current location.

Close The Phone App

It’s possible call failed because the Phone app crashed. In a situation like this, try closing the Phone app, and then open it again. This can flush out any bug in the Phone app and restore it to full operation.

First, open the app switcher on your iPhone by double-pressing the Home button (iPhone 8 and earlier) or swiping up from the very bottom to the center of the screen (iPhone X and later). Then, close your apps by swiping them up and off the top of the screen.

Open the Phone app again and try making a call. If the call still fails, move onto the next step.

Turn Airplane Mode On And Off

The next’ thing to try if your iPhone call failed is to turn airplane mode on and back off. This step can fix minor connectivity issues. Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Then, turn on the switch next to Airplane Mode. Wait a few seconds, then turn it off again.

Restart Your iPhone

One quick fix that sometimes works when iPhone says call failed is to completely restart your device. The way to turn off your iPhone depends on which model you have:

iPhone With Face ID

Press and hold your iPhone’s side button and either volume button until “slide to power off” appears. Then, swipe the power icon left to right across the screen. Press and hold down the side button to turn your iPhone on again.

iPhone Without Face ID

Press and hold down your iPhone’s power button until “slide to power off” appears. Swipe the power icon left to right to shut down your iPhone. Press and hold the power button again to turn it back on.

Check ForAn iOS Update

Your iPhone could also be saying Call Failed because it’s software is out of date. Apple’s developers often release new iOS updates to fix software bugs and introduce new features.

To check for an iOS update, open Settings and tap General. Then, select the Software Update. Here, you can see whether or not there’s a software update currently available for your iPhone. If you see that there is a new update available, tap Download and Install or Update Now to install the new update on your iPhone.

Check For A Carrier Settings Update

Next, check to see if a carrier settings update is available on your iPhone. Apple and your wireless carrier will frequently release carrier settings updates to improve your iPhone’s ability to connect to cellular towers.

To check for a carrier settings update, go to Settings -> General -> About. Wait here for about 15 seconds — if a carrier settings update is available, you’ll see a pop-up on your iPhone display. If you see the pop-up, tap Update.

If no pop-up appears, a carrier settings update probably isn’t available!

Eject And Reinsert The SIM Card

A SIM card connects your iPhone to your wireless carrier’s cellular network. If you’re constantly getting Call Failed error anytime you attempt to make a phone call, this step could fix the problem.

Grab a SIM card ejector tool or straighten out a paperclip. Insert the tool into the hole in the SIM card tray. You’ll have to apply some force to open the tray. Push the tray back in the reseat the SIM card.

Reset Network Settings

Your iPhone’s network settings includes all of its Cellular, Wi-Fi, APN, and VPN settings. Your iPhone may say Call Failed if there’s software error within the cellular settings. Unfortunately, these problems can be difficult to track down, so we have to reset all of your iPhone’s network settings. This step will erase all of the Wi-Fi, VPN, cellular, and APN settings currently saved on your iPhone.

To do this, go to Settings -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone -> Reset -> Reset Network Settings.

Contact Your Wireless Carrier Or Apple

If you’ve tried everything else and you can’t complete any phone calls due to the Call Failed error, it’s time to contact your wireless carrier or visit your local Apple Store.

With regular call issues, we recommend going to your wireless carrier first. It’s more likely that they’ll be able to help you fix the Call Failed problem. You may only need a new SIM card!

Visit your wireless carrier’s retail store or call their customer support phone number to get in touch with a representative.

iPhone Call Failed Problem: Fixed!

Your iPhone calls aren’t failing anymore and you can continue making phone calls. Next time you experience Call Failed error on your iPhone, you’ll know how to fix the problem. If you have any other questions about your iPhone, leave a comment down below!

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Kristina is a staff writer at GeeksChalk, and is interested in all things Apple. This includes its best products such as the iPad, iPhone, Mac, AirPods, and Apple Watch. When she's not tinkering with the latest Apple gear, you’ll find her watching movies, taking pictures and exploring the great outdoors.
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