When your iPhone is not ringing, you can miss important calls from work, friends, and family. This issue can cost you big time and ruin relationships because the caller might assume you ignore them. But what causes an iPhone not to ring, and how can you fix it?
An iPhone may fail to ring for incoming calls due to several reasons. These include settings like turning on the Do Not Disturb feature, Silence Unknown Callers, Silent Mode, or you have accidentally blocked the caller. Additionally, your iPhone could be having hardware problems due to falls or other trauma, which interferes with the speaker. Moreover, the device may be stuck in headphone mode or connected to an audio device via Bluetooth.
This article is for you if you have missed important calls due to your iPhone not ringing for incoming calls. You will learn the possible causes of this problem and how to solve each issue.
Common Causes of iPhone Not Ringing for Incoming Calls
The following are the common causes of iPhone failing to ring:
Do Not Disturb/Focus Mode is On
When you turn on the Do Not Disturb feature on your iPhone, all calls go straight to voicemail, and you won’t get any form of notification. This feature is known as Focus on iOS 15 and newer versions.
You may have switched the feature on while in a meeting or avoiding someone but forgot to switch it off. You will see a purple crescent on the Control Center when this feature is on.
To resolve the hitch, follow the following steps:
- Swipe down your home screen from the top right corner to open the “Control Center.”
- Tap on the purple crescent to disable Do Not Disturb/Focus. Your iPhone should ring perfectly if this were the issue.
Your iPhone Is on Silent Mode
If your iPhone is silent, you won’t hear incoming calls, texts, or email notifications. There is a Ring/Silent switch button on the side of your iPhone above the volume buttons. When this switch is near the screen, the ringer feature is enabled. If you push the switch towards the back of the iPhone, it switches on the silent mode, and you can see an orange stripe on the button.
To fix this issue, push the switch towards the screen to enable the ring mode. Additionally, ensure the ringer volume is audible. Here is how to do it:
- Open “Settings” on your home screen.
- Select “Sounds & Haptics.”
- Drag the slider to the right to set your preferred volume on the “Ringer and Alerts.“
You Have Set Your iPhone To Silence Unknown Callers
If the silent incoming calls are from a caller not in your contact list, you may have set your iPhone to “Silence Unknown Callers.” This feature mutes all calls from unknown numbers, and you may miss calls from new clients, delivery guys, or your Uber driver.
Follow these steps to resolve the issue:
- Open “Settings” on the home screen.
- Tap “Phone.”
- Check if the “Silence Unknown Callers” button is on.
- If it’s on, tap on the button to disable it.
You Have Blocked the Caller
Calls from a blocked number don’t go through or ring. If you blocked someone and forgot to unblock them after you made up, their calls will not ring until you unblock them. If this is the case, follow the following steps to unblock the contacts:
- Open the “Settings” app.
- Tap on “Phone.”
- Navigate to “Blocked Contacts.”
- Select the number you want to unlock and tap “Unblock.”
You Have Connected Your Phone to Audio Devices
If you have connected your iPhone to a Bluetooth device or headphones, incoming calls may fail to ring. You may also have disconnected these devices, but your phone was left stuck in that mode, especially if the disconnection was abrupt. When the phone is stuck in such a mode, incoming calls don’t ring.
How To Disconnect Bluetooth Devices
- Swipe down your screen to open the “Control Center.”
- Tap on the Bluetooth icon to disable it.
Alternatively, do the following to turn off Bluetooth:
- Open “Settings.”
- Navigate to “Bluetooth.”
- Move the slider to turn the Bluetooth off.
How To Disconnect Headphones
Follow the steps below to disconnect your headphones:
- Plug in your headphones again and unplug them gently.
- Clean your headphone port with a static-free brush or Q-tip cotton swabs.
- Switch on the Airplane mode for a while, then turn it off.
- Restart your iPhone.
Your iPhone Has Hardware Problems
If your iPhone doesn’t ring for incoming calls after a fall or other trauma, it might have developed hardware hitches like a damaged speaker. If this is the case, you need to visit a local Apple Store for repair.
Conclusion
An iPhone not ringing for incoming calls can make you miss important calls and ruin business opportunities and relationships. The issue may be some settings such as Silent Mode, Silence Unknown Callers, and Do Not Disturb. Also, you may have blocked the calling contacts or connected your iPhone to audio devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
When the ringer is off, you can see an orange stripe on the ringer switch located on the left side of your iPhone. This switch is above the volume button. To unmute the ringer, push the switch towards the screen until you can’t see the orange strip.
If your iPhone is ringing, but you can’t hear the tone, you probably have the Silent Mode On, or the ringer volume is too low. Switch off silent mode or increase the ringer volume to fix the issue. Here is how to increase the ringer volume:
1. Open “Settings.”
2. Select “Sounds & Haptics.”
3. Drag the ringer from left to right on “Ringer and Alerts” until you achieve your preferred volume.
