iPhone Keeps Saying Call Failed? Top 16 Ways to Fix It

User Concern

“My iPhone 16 just started saying call failed every time I try and make a call. I restarted, reset the sim, used airplane mode, etc. nothing worked....”

It can be frustrating if you can't make calls on your iPhone normally. Although Apple has worked hard to improve cellular connectivity, iPhone users may still face the called failed error frequently.

If your iPhone keeps saying call failed, continue reading this article. Below, we will explain the common reasons that cause iPhone call failed repeatedly and walk you through the fixes you can try to solve this error.

What Does Call Failed Error Mean on iPhone?

You are trying to make a call over the cellular network on your iPhone. You find the number and tap the call button, which brings the calling screen. After a few seconds, you see the Call Failed message, as well as the Cancel and Call Back buttons.

Sounds familiar? Well, you are not alone. That is a common issue that a lot of iPhone users encounter. Usually, you should be able to make the call successful by tapping the Call Back button. In some cases, you may get the call failed error response repeatedly.

Why Does My iPhone Keep Having Calls Failed?

The reason why your iPhone keeps saying call failed can depend on various factors, such as the iOS version, cellular network, iPhone model, and more. Here are some common causes:

• Poor Cellular Network: The call failed on iPhone error usually occurs when you try to make a call in an area with a weak network signal.
• Problem with SIM: A malfunction in the SIM card may prevent the iPhone from making the call efficiently.
• Wrong Network Settings: You can only make a call if your iPhone's network settings are properly installed or updated. If the device fails to update the setting, you may end up with the call failed error.
• Low/No Credit: Check if there is enough credit to make the phone call. You will need to recharge credit if there is no or low credit to make phone calls.
• Software Issues: Although chances are very low, the call failed error can sometimes be caused by software issues or an outdated iOS version.

How to Fix iPhone Keeps Saying Call Failed

1. Try Your Call Again

First, try making the call again. Often, a call fails due to a temporary network glitch, and trying again after a minute might work. Before trying any other solutions, simply tap the dial button to redial the number. Plus, you can try to make the call in another location with a stronger network signal.

2. Check Your Phone Plan

If your iPhone says the call failed, it might be because your phone number doesn’t have an active plan. For postpaid customers, make sure your bill is paid. For prepaid customers, check that you have enough balance and that your plan is still valid.

3. Turn Airplane Mode On & Off

Another simple solution you can try is turning the Airplane Mode on and off. It can refresh your iPhone's WiFi and cellular network, which may help solve any issues related to the networks.

• Open the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your iPhone (or from the bottom of the screen on iPhones with a Home button).
• Find the Airplane Mode icon and turn it on. Wait a few seconds and turn it back off.

4. Check Blocked Phone Numbers

Are you trying to call a blocked phone number? You may have blocked a person's number by accident and then forgotten; thus, it is very normal to encounter a failed call. Here is how to check if the number is blocked:

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to Phone.
• Now locate and tap on Blocked Contacts.
• Ensure the number you're trying to call is not on the blocked list.

5. Check the Date & Time

Make sure that the date and time of your iPhone are set correctly based on the location. Especially if you have traveled to a different time zone, you need to update it to the correct one to use the call function smoothly.

• Go to Settings > General and find the Data & Time option.
• Now, toggle on Set Automatically, which will update the time automatically based on the location.

6. Restart Your iPhone

Many issues on your iPhone can be solved easily by simply restarting the device, including the call failed error.

• Press and hold the Side button along with the Volume Up or Down button until you see the power off slider.
• Drag the slider to the right, and it should turn your iPhone off.
• Finally, wait a moment and press the Side button to turn on the device again.

7. Force Quit the Phone App

The iPhone calling issue may be caused by a glitch with the Phone app. In such a situation, we suggest you force close the Phone app and start it again.

• Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle (for old iPhones, double-click the Home button) to open the App Switcher.
• Then, scroll and locate the Phone app preview. Swipe up on it to close the app.
• Return to the home screen and tap the Phone app icon to restart it.

8. Turn Off Call Forwarding

The call forwarding may also cause the call interference. Thus it is essential to check and make sure that call forwarding is disabled on iPhone to avoid the call issue.

• Just open Settings on your iPhone and click on Phone.
• Then, toggle off the switch of the Call Forwarding feature.

9. Remove & Reinsert SIM Card

iPhone keeps saying call failed error can also be caused by a damaged SIM card. So you’d better check your SIM card for damage if you have used it for a long time. It’s pretty easy to remove and reinsert the SIM card on your iPhone.

Simply utilize the SIM ejector tool to bring out the slim slot and put it back if you don’t find any damage. If you find any, you should consider getting a new SIM card and try to make the call again.

10. Update Carrier Settings

Updating the carrier settings on your iPhone may help to solve various issues, including call dropping, call failure, etc. Here is how to update carrier settings:

• Turn on your iPhone’s cellular data or connect to a strong WiFi.
• Open Settings and go to General > About.
• Now, you will get a notification if the update is available.

11. Check LTE and Roaming

LTE is a newer and updated version of the cellular network that provides smoother performance. However, you may encounter the call failed error on your iPhone if 4G LTE is not working. This problem may also happen if you have disabled Roaming when you travel abroad.

In such a case, you can try switching to 3G and enable data roaming by going to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options.

12. Reset Network Settings

If you still cannot solve the call failed error on your iPhone, consider resetting the Network Settings. Note that this will erase all the saved settings of cellular networks, Bluetooth, and WiFi. Here is how to do this:

• Open Settings and go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
• Then, press Reset > Reset Network Settings and enter your iPhone’s passcode to confirm.

13. Update to The Latest iOS Version

Are you using an outdated iOS version? It may cause a lot of issues, including call failure. Consider updating your iOS version to the latest version. You can easily update the iOS version by going to General from Settings and then choosing Software Update.

14. Factory Reset Your iPhone (Data Loss)

If you have tried all the solutions above, consider factory resetting your iPhone if the problem persists. Note that this will remove everything from your device. So, consider creating a backup before doing that. Here is how to do it:

• Go to General from Settings. Then tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
• Press on Erase All Content and Settings and enter your passcode to confirm.

15. Fix iPhone Keeps Saying Call Failed without Data Loss

If a system issue or bug causes the problem, don’t worry; third-party iOS repair tools can help you fix it. If you are unsure which one to choose, we recommend FoneGeek iOS System Recovery. It is a top-notch system recovery tool for iOS devices that can help you solve various issues, including iPhone says call failed error, without data loss. This tool works well on all iPhone models and iOS versions, even the latest iPhone 16 and iOS 18.

Now let’s see how to use FoneGeek iOS System Recovery:

Step 1: Download this iOS repair tool from the FoneGeek official site and install it on your computer. Launch the program and select the Standard Mode from the home page.

Step 2: Now connect the problematic iPhone device to your computer. If the iPhone is not detected, you will need to put the device in Recovery Mode or DFU mode to get detected.

Step 3: Once the device is detected, you should find its model and available iOS versions. Simply choose the matching firmware and click on Download.

Step 4: Wait for the firmware download to be completed. It will then verify the downloaded iOS firmware. After that, you will need to press Fix Now. That's it. The recovery tool will fix your iOS, and it should be ready to use within a while.

16. Contact Your Carrier or Apple Support

Your last resort can be contacting your cellular carrier or Apple Support. Their customer support can help you detect the error and assist you in solving it.

The Bottom Line

There are various reasons why you might encounter the iPhone call failed error. Identifying the specific cause can help you quickly resolve the issue with the right solution. However, if you cannot catch the problem, you will need to try all the solutions one by one.

If you prefer not to go through all the steps, we recommend you try the FoneGeek iOS System Recovery tool. It can surely fix the call failed error if it is caused by a system issue. This advanced tool can also help you solve other iOS system errors efficiently.