What does it mean when it says welcome to Verizon your call Cannot be completed as dialed?
Verizon is one of the largest wireless carriers in the United States, providing cell phone service, internet, and TV services to over 150 million customers. Verizon offers plans for individuals and businesses, covering mobile devices like smartphones and home internet connections. As one of the top telecommunications companies in the country, Verizon aims to provide reliable nationwide cell coverage and fast internet speeds.
Despite the company’s large scale and advanced networks, Verizon customers can occasionally encounter issues with connectivity or blocked calls. The ‘Call Cannot Be Completed’ message is one of the more common errors that pops up for Verizon subscribers when trying to make a phone call. This error suggests something is preventing the completion of the call through the Verizon network. The problem could originate from the user’s device, their specific account, or a wider network outage impacting call connections. This article will provide an overview of potential causes and solutions for the ‘Call Cannot Be Completed’ error message.
The ‘Call Cannot Be Completed’ Error
The “Welcome to Verizon Wireless, your call cannot be completed as dialed” error message means that your phone call or text message was unsuccessful in getting through to the intended recipient. This automated announcement indicates that there was a problem connecting the call through the Verizon network.
Essentially, when you hear or see this message, it means that the call or text you attempted could not go through for some reason. The Verizon network was unable to complete the call to the dialed number.
This error typically occurs right after you hit send on a call or text. You may hear the announcement play or see a message pop up on your phone screen. The error prevents your call or text from being transmitted to the recipient’s device.
Verizon provides this standardized alert to notify customers when a call fails to connect properly on their network. It implies there is an issue either with your device, service, settings or the recipient’s phone that blocked the call completion.
Potential Causes
One potential cause for the “Call Cannot Be Completed” error is dialing the wrong number. According to a Reddit user, their outgoing calls were being routed to a different person instead of the intended recipient. The recipient’s number was very different from the number the Reddit user dialed [1]. This can happen if you accidentally input an incorrect digit when dialing a number manually.
Verizon notes that if you receive an “Invalid Number” announcement when placing a call, you should double check that you entered the full 10-digit number (area code + phone number) correctly [2]. Dialing just 7 digits instead of 10 could result in your call being routed to the wrong recipient.
Other customers have also reported calls going to the wrong person even when dialing from their contacts list. This could occur from having an incorrect number saved for a contact [3]. It’s important to verify stored numbers from time to time to ensure they are still accurate.
Poor Cellular Signal
One of the most common reasons you may see the ‘call cannot be completed as dialed’ error is that you are in an area with poor cellular reception. If you are in a location that has weak signal strength from Verizon’s network, you may not be able to complete calls reliably.
Verizon uses a mix of different network technologies to provide coverage, including older 3G and advanced 4G LTE networks. However, there are still many rural and remote areas where Verizon’s coverage is spotty or nonexistent. If you are deep inside a building, in a valley, or outside the carrier’s native coverage area, you may struggle to maintain a solid connection.
You can try moving to a different location where you know you have had better reception with Verizon before. Getting nearer to a window or outside can sometimes help. Verizon also offers free Network Extender devices that use your home broadband connection to improve in-building coverage, which could resolve poor signal issues (source).
If you consistently experience sub-par Verizon network coverage in a certain frequently visited area, it’s a good idea to report the issue directly to Verizon customer support. They rely on customer feedback to improve and expand their network footprint.
SIM Card Issues
One potential cause for the ‘Call Cannot Be Completed’ error is an issue with your SIM card. SIM cards contain your phone number and cellular network information. If the SIM card is damaged, invalid, or incorrectly inserted, your phone will be unable to complete calls.
A damaged or faulty SIM card could prevent your phone from connecting to the Verizon network. Over time, SIM cards can become scratched, bent, or otherwise physically damaged from normal wear and tear. This physical damage can render the SIM card unusable. You may need to purchase a replacement SIM card from Verizon if this is the case.
An invalid or expired SIM card will also produce this error message. Verizon may invalidate SIM cards that have been inactive for an extended period of time. Expired prepaid SIM cards will no longer work. You’ll need to contact Verizon for a new SIM card if yours is invalid or past its expiration date.
Finally, make sure your SIM card is properly inserted in your device. Power off your phone, remove and reinsert the SIM card, then restart the device. If it’s still not working, inspect the SIM card tray for any damage or obstructions that could be preventing proper connectivity.
Account Restrictions
One common cause of the ‘Call Cannot Be Completed’ error is account-level restrictions that prevent certain calls from going through. This often occurs when specific numbers have been banned or blocked on a Verizon account. Parents and guardians may also enable parental controls that restrict who their child can call and text.
As explained on Verizon’s community forums, “Announcement 19” is sometimes triggered when trying to contact a number that has been banned by the account owner. Some customers have reported getting the message when calling or texting ex-partners or others who were intentionally blocked.
Verizon allows account owners to restrict calling and messaging in various ways through features like Call Filter or Smart Family. If a number is caught by one of these filters, it will fail with the ‘Call Cannot Be Completed’ error.
To resolve the issue, the account owner would need to remove the calling restrictions on that particular number. Alternatively, the blocked person could contact the account owner and request the number be unblocked.
Network Outages
Sometimes the error message can be caused by temporary network problems or outages in your area. Verizon’s network infrastructure is complex, relying on cell towers, servers, fiber optic cables, and more. If there is an issue somewhere in the network, it can cause service disruptions.1
Verizon monitors their network closely and works to resolve outages quickly. However, problems can still occur from time to time, especially during major storms or other events. You can check Verizon’s outage map to see if there are any known issues for your location.2 Third party sites like DownDetector also provide real-time outage information submitted by users.3
If there is an outage in your area, unfortunately there is little you can do besides wait for Verizon technicians to fix it. Outages are often restored within hours, but can sometimes take longer. Trying your call again later is the best option when temporary network issues are causing the error message to appear.
Phone Hardware Issues
Sometimes the issue can be caused by a hardware problem with the phone itself. This is more likely if the phone has been physically damaged or exposed to water/moisture. Some common hardware issues that can cause ‘Call Cannot Be Completed’ errors include:
Faulty antenna – The phone’s antenna is responsible for sending and receiving signals. If it becomes loose, damaged, or disconnected, then the phone may struggle to find a cellular signal. This will prevent making or receiving calls.1
Microphone problems – Issues with the phone’s microphone can mean the other caller cannot hear you properly on calls. The mic may become obstructed by debris or moisture, or the connection to the motherboard may fail.2
Speaker failure – If the phone’s speaker stops working, you won’t be able to hear the other person on calls. This could point to a loose connection or short circuit in the speaker wiring.3
Faulty SIM card reader – The SIM card reader allows the phone to detect when a SIM is inserted. If it malfunctions, the phone may not detect the SIM card and prevent making calls as a result.4
Troubleshooting Steps
If you see the ‘Call Cannot Be Completed’ error on your Verizon device, there are some troubleshooting steps you can take to try and resolve it:
First, check your cellular signal strength. Poor signal can prevent calls from going through successfully. Try moving to a location with better signal strength and see if you can complete calls. You can also try restarting your phone to refresh the cellular connection according to Verizon’s troubleshooter.
Next, inspect your SIM card. Remove the SIM card, clean it gently with a lint-free cloth, and reinsert it securely in your device. Damaged or dislodged SIM cards can cause calling issues. You may need to obtain a replacement SIM card from Verizon if yours is faulty.
Also verify there are no restrictions on your Verizon account that could block calling. Log into your My Verizon account online or use the My Verizon app to check. Features like call blocking when roaming internationally, if enabled accidentally, could prevent calling.
Finally, test your phone’s hardware. If you have another known working phone available, try swapping your SIM card into it to see if calls complete properly. This narrows down whether the issue stems from the mobile device hardware or something else on your account or network.
Getting Support
If troubleshooting does not resolve the ‘Call Cannot Be Completed’ error, the next step is to contact Verizon customer service for assistance. Verizon provides several convenient ways to reach their support team:
Phone: Call 800-922-0204 or 800-837-4966 to speak with a Verizon customer service representative 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Wait times may be longer during peak hours.
Online chat: Initiate a live chat through the Verizon website or mobile app. Chat representatives are available 24/7.
Visit a store: Stop by a Verizon retail store for in-person support. Store hours vary by location.
When contacting Verizon support, be prepared to provide identifying information like your name, phone number, and account PIN. Describe the specific ‘Call Cannot Be Completed’ issue you are experiencing. The representative can access your account, investigate the cause, and suggest solutions to restore your calling capabilities.