iPhone Keeps Saying Call Failed? Here Are 16 Ways to Fix It

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 Saying Call Failed?

The reason why your iPhone keeps saying call failed error can vary depending on several factors, including the iOS version, cellular network, iPhone model, and many other things. Below, we will list some of the common causes:

• Poor Cellular Network: The call failed on iPhone error typically happens when you try to perform the call from a location where the network is very weak.
• Problem with SIM: A malfunction in the SIM card may prevent the iPhone from making the call efficiently.
• Wrong Network Settings: You can only perform the call if the network setting is properly installed/updated by your iPhone. 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 again.
• Software Issues: Have you recently updated your iPhone to a new iOS version? Although chances are very low, this can also cause a call to fail on an iPhone.

How to Fix iPhone Keeps Saying Call Failed

1. Dail *#31#

One of the most common solutions you can try to solve the call failed error on iPhone is by dialing *#31#. Dialing the code will disable the outgoing anonymity status on your phone if you accidentally turn it on and let you make the calls successfully.

2. Check the Phone Number Plan

When you attempt to make a call from your iPhone, the iPhone may say the call failed when the phone number doesn't have an active plan. Thus, verifying that you have paid the Postpaid bill is essential if you are a postpaid customer. If you have prepaid before, ensure the phone number has enough balance and validity to make calls.

3. Turn Airplane Mode On & Off

Another simplistic 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 forgetten; 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.

You can update it from the Data & Time option under the General tab of Settings. Another thing you can do is to toggle on the 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.

• Simply press the Side button and wait until the red slider occurs.
• Turn the slider to the right, and it should turn your iPhone off.
• Finally, wait a moment and press the same button to turn on the device again.

7. Force Quit All Apps

The iPhone calling issue may be caused by the app glitch on your iPhone. In such a situation, we suggest you force close the apps to avoid more issues.

• For iPhones that have no Face ID, double-press the Home button to activate the app switcher.
• For iPhones that have  Face ID, swipe down from the upper screen to open the app switcher.
• Then, swipe all the apps to the top right corner to get them closed.

8. Disable Call Forwarding Feature

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 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 either 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 on Reset > Reset Network Settings and enter your iPhone’s passcode to confirm.

13. Update to 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 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.
• Enter your passcode and 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 15/14 and iOS 17/16.

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

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.

Bottom Line

As you can see, there are different causes behind the iPhone call failed error. If you can detect the specific reason, it can be easily solved by trying the intended solution. However, if you cannot catch the problem, you will need to try all the solutions one by one.

If you are not interested in going through the hassles of trying all the solutions, we recommend you use the FoneGeek iOS System Recovery tool. The tool 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.