# Fix Android Phone Cannot Make or Receive Calls (2026) *Published:* 2026-01-09 *Author:* Farzan Hussain When an Android phone stops making or receiving calls, the cause is almost always one of three things: airplane mode or DND was left on, the SIM lost provisioning after a recent change, or call-forwarding was set and forgotten. Hardware causes are real but rare; the software fixes resolve more than 90 percent of cases inside ten minutes. Here is the diagnostic in order, with the carrier-side check that solves the SIM provisioning case. ### TL;DR **The pick:** **Start here:** Settings, Network and internet, confirm Airplane mode is off, Wi-Fi calling toggle behaves, and the SIM shows full bars. **Runner-up:** **Next:** dial \*#67# and \*#21# to inspect call-forwarding status, and reset any unintended forwards. **Skip if:** If the SIM cannot register on the network after a reboot, call your carrier and ask for a network re-provisioning; this fixes the lingering “no service” case. For a deeper reference, see [Google’s official Android Help Center](https://support.google.com/android/). The first ninety seconds ------------------------ Pull down the quick-settings shade and confirm Airplane mode is off, DND is off, and Bluetooth is not routing calls to a paired headset you forgot about. About a third of “phone not making calls” reports trace back to one of these three. Check the signal indicator. If it says “Emergency calls only” or “No service,” the SIM is not registered. Reboot once; if the SIM still does not register, the next section applies. Reset the SIM and network ------------------------- Open Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, tap your active SIM. Toggle it off and back on. If it does not re-register, go to Settings, System, Reset options, Reset Wi-Fi mobile and Bluetooth. That will clear cached carrier state without wiping your [apps](https://bestforandroid.com/best/apps-android/ "Best Apps Category") or data. On Pixel devices, pulling the SIM tray and reseating the physical SIM also works. For eSIM, the carrier app or Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, lets you delete and re-add the profile. Call forwarding may be on ------------------------- Dial \*#21# from your dialler. The phone shows the current call-forwarding state for voice, data, and fax. If “Voice Call Forwarding” shows as enabled to a number you did not set, that is why calls are not reaching you. Disable it by dialling ##21# (or ##002# to cancel all forwarding). Test again. Call forwarding lingers from old voicemail setups, accidentally activated diverts, and rare malware that quietly forwards to a paid number. When to call your carrier ------------------------- If the SIM will not register on any network after a reboot and a reset, the issue is carrier-side. Call them from another phone and ask for a “re-provisioning” or “network reset” on your line. They handle this dozens of times a day, especially after a recent port-in or SIM swap. If your phone is also showing wrong roaming behaviour (e.g., it thinks you are abroad while you are at home), the carrier’s provisioning fix usually resolves both. Hardware signs to stop on ------------------------- If the SIM works fine in another phone but your phone cannot register any SIM, the radio module is suspect. The same applies if you can make calls but the other side cannot hear you and replacing accessories does not fix the microphone issue. Take it in for service rather than flashing system images. Radio and microphone issues do not respond to software fixes. The setup, step by step ----------------------- 1. 1#### Confirm airplane and DND are off Quick-settings shade, both toggles off. 2. 2#### Reboot once Resolves transient registration issues. 3. 3#### Reseat the SIM or refresh eSIM Settings, Network and internet, SIMs. 4. 4#### Reset network settings Settings, System, Reset options, Reset Wi-Fi mobile and Bluetooth. 5. 5#### Check call forwarding Dial \*#21# and disable any unintended forwards with ##002#. 6. 6#### Call carrier From a different phone; ask for re-provisioning. FAQ --- ### Will resetting network settings lose my saved Wi-Fi passwords? Yes, that is the trade-off. The reset wipes Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth pairings, and saved mobile networks. Re-adding them is a one-time annoyance worth the fix. ### Why does \*#21# not show anything on my phone? Some carriers and some Android skins disable USSD-style codes for diagnostic queries. Use the dialler app’s built-in call settings instead (Settings inside the Phone app, Call forwarding). ### Is Wi-Fi calling a fix or a workaround? It is a workaround. If the underlying cellular issue persists, Wi-Fi calling will route the calls over your home internet, which is genuinely useful if you live in a poor-coverage area but does not fix the SIM-side problem. Bottom line ----------- When an Android phone stops making or receiving calls, the recovery flow is short: rule out airplane mode and DND, reseat the SIM, reset network settings, check call forwarding, and call the carrier if the SIM still will not register. The first three resolve most cases inside five minutes. Suspect hardware only if the same SIM works in another phone but yours cannot register on any network. #### How we put this guide together The picks and steps in this guide reflect what works on current Android builds. Our editors test apps on Pixel 8a and Galaxy S24 hardware running Android 15 and Android 16, cross-check against vendor documentation, and update each guide when behavior changes. ### Related on BestForAndroid - [4 Fixes for Android Phone Not Receiving or Making Calls](https://bestforandroid.com/fix-android-phone-not-receiving-calls/) - [How to Fix an Android Phone That Keeps Freezing](https://bestforandroid.com/fix-phone-freezing-problems/) - [How to make your Android phone secure: 12 settings that actually matter](https://bestforandroid.com/secure-your-android-device/) - [Stop Popup Ads When You Unlock Your Android Phone (The Real Fix)](https://bestforandroid.com/ads-pop-up-on-unlock-android/)