Why isn’t my phone ringing when I get a call?

Modes That Silence Ringing

There are several modes on modern smartphones that silence ringing and other alerts when enabled. These include silent mode, vibrate mode, do not disturb mode, and airplane mode.

Silent mode mutes all sounds on the device, including ringing, alerts, notifications, system sounds, and audio/video playback. On iPhones, the ring/silent switch toggles between normal and silent modes. On Android devices, silent mode is typically enabled via the volume buttons or quick settings. Silent mode stops audible ringing and alerts, but the phone may still vibrate for calls and notifications depending on settings (Google, 2022; CNET, 2016).

Vibrate mode mutes the ringer and alert sounds, causing the device to vibrate instead for incoming calls and notifications. On iPhones, vibrate mode can be enabled by flipping the ring/silent switch and adjusting separate vibration settings. On Android phones, it’s typically activated using volume buttons or quick settings.

Do not disturb mode silences both ringtones and vibrations, with the ability to allow exceptions. Users can customize what is muted in this mode and allow calls or notifications from certain contacts or apps to bypass it. On iPhones, do not disturb is enabled via Settings or by swiping up from the bottom edge of the screen. On Android devices, it is turned on through Settings or notification shade quick settings (Google, 2022).

Airplane mode disables all wireless connections, which silences ringing and alerts. It can be turned on via Settings or quick settings on both iPhone and Android devices.

Phone Software Settings

One of the most common reasons your phone may not ring when receiving a call is if you have changed software settings on your phone to mute or silence ringing. On Android phones, you can adjust these settings by going to Settings > Sound & Vibration and toggling options like “Prevent Ringing” and “Do Not Disturb” on or off [1]. You can also set specific time periods or events when you want to mute ringing, like at night when sleeping.

Additionally, you can control the ringtone volume under Sound Settings. If your ringer volume is set to silent or vibrate only, your phone will not ring for incoming calls [2]. You may have accidentally lowered the ringer volume without realizing it. Check to make sure it is set loud enough to actually ring audibly.

Some Android phones also let you set exceptions for certain contacts, so their calls will ring even when your ringer is silenced. You can allow calls from family, close friends, or starred contacts to ring through. This ensures important calls come through while muting unwanted ringing.

Physical Alert Switches

Many smartphones have physical buttons or switches that allow you to quickly toggle between a ringing or silent mode.

On iPhones, there is a dedicated Ring/Silent switch on the side. Sliding this to the Silent position will stop your phone from ringing for incoming calls and notifications, causing it to vibrate instead. See Apple Support for details on using this switch.

For Android phones, there is generally not a dedicated silent switch, but you can use the volume down button to toggle between ringing and vibrate. Pressing the volume down key several times will eventually switch the phone into a vibrate-only mode. Some Android phones like OnePlus also have a dedicated three-position mute switch similar to iPhones. See this Reddit discussion on mute switches for Android.

So in summary, using the physical volume buttons or mute switches is the quickest way to toggle between ringing and silent modes on most smartphones. Just be aware of your phone’s specific hardware buttons and switches to control your ringer.

Network and Connection Issues

Poor reception or network connectivity issues are common reasons why your phone may not ring on incoming calls. If you are in an area with low signal strength or poor coverage, your phone may struggle to maintain a stable connection to receive calls properly. This can prevent the audible ringtone from sounding as expected.

Similarly, if your phone is in Airplane Mode, it disconnects from all network towers and disables all wireless connectivity. With no ability to connect to a cellular network, your phone cannot receive incoming calls at all, so there is no audible ringtone.

Having “No Service” displayed means your phone lacks any usable signal from nearby cell towers. Without an active cellular connection, calls cannot reach your phone. So if you are in a dead zone or far outside your carrier’s coverage area, your phone will not ring for incoming calls.

To resolve network-related issues, move to an area with better reception, disable Airplane Mode, or contact your carrier about improving service in your location. You can also enable Wi-Fi calling which routes calls over internet data instead of cell towers when reception is poor.

Damaged Speakers or Hardware

One of the most common reasons a phone may not ring audibly when receiving a call is damage to the built-in speakers or hardware components related to producing sound. Issues with the speaker itself, headphone jack, volume buttons, or other physical hardware can prevent ringing from being heard properly.

For example, if the speaker membrane is torn or punctured, it may not be able to produce sound at the correct volume when a call comes in. Similarly, debris or corrosion buildup in the headphone jack can stop sound transmission to wired headphones. Loose solder joints or faulty connections on the speaker or audio circuits inside the phone can also degrade audio performance.

Physical damage like cracks in the phone chassis near the speaker can muffle or distort ringing. Issues with the headphone jack, volume buttons, and other external hardware can point to damage that makes the phone think headphones are plugged in when they aren’t, silencing ringing.

One way to test for hardware issues is trying a call with speakerphone enabled or using wired headphones. If the volume is still low or no sound comes through, it likely indicates a deeper hardware problem. Checking for muffled, distorted, or uneven sound can also help identify speaker damage. Thoroughly inspecting ports and buttons for damage is advised.

Replacing damaged speakers or audio components through professional repair may resolve the issue. For cracks or debris in ports, careful cleaning with compressed air can sometimes help. Preventing future damage by using phone cases and avoiding exposure to moisture is recommended.

Battery Saving Settings

One of the most common reasons your phone may not be ringing for incoming calls is that you have enabled battery saving settings or low power mode. Both Android and iPhone operating systems have built-in features to reduce power consumption by limiting background activity, reducing screen brightness, disabling vibration feedback, and more.

On Android phones, this feature is usually called “Battery Saver” and can be enabled manually or set to turn on automatically when battery drops below a certain level (1). Battery Saver often restricts apps from working in the background, accessing location services, and syncing data, which can negatively impact your ability to receive calls and notifications. Check your Android settings and make sure Battery Saver is disabled or set to only activate at very low battery levels.

iPhones have a similar “Low Power Mode” under Battery settings that reduces background app refresh, email fetch, and visual effects to save power (2). This can prevent incoming calls from displaying alerts and ringtones properly. Only enable Low Power Mode when your iPhone battery level is very low, and turn it off for normal use to ensure calls come through.

Disabling these battery saving powers modes is usually the best solution if you suspect they are blocking your phone from ringing on calls. Just be aware increased battery drain may occur as a tradeoff.

Third-party Apps

Sometimes third-party apps can override your phone’s default settings and cause it to stay silent even when you don’t expect it. Many apps request permissions to change audio settings or Do Not Disturb mode. If granted, they may enable vibrate or silent mode without any visible notifications.

For example, the app Polite will automatically enable silent or vibrate mode during calendar events marked as “busy.” The Silent Phone app enables silent mode while giving users encrypted communication abilities.

Check any recently downloaded apps and their requested permissions. Look for options to disable audio overrides or revoke microphone access if not needed. You may need to fully uninstall some apps to regain default audio control on your phone.

Phone Defects and Bugs

Sometimes the issue with your phone not ringing is caused by a software bug or hardware defect specific to your device model. Phone manufacturers regularly push out software updates to fix bugs, while defective hardware may require a replacement phone under warranty.

Common software bugs that can prevent ringing include issues with Do Not Disturb settings activating incorrectly, problems with apps blocking notifications, and glitches with phone network compatibility. For example, some Samsung Galaxy users have reported a bug causing Do Not Disturb to randomly turn on, which stops incoming calls from ringing (Source).

Hardware defects are less common but can also silence your ringer. Issues like a damaged speaker, faulty vibration motor, or buttons that stick and toggle silent mode could physically prevent your phone from ringing. Your mobile carrier or device manufacturer would need to diagnose and resolve a hardware defect.

Overall, defects are an annoying and disruptive reason for your phone to stop ringing properly. Check for software updates and contact tech support if you suspect your specific device model has developed a persistent bug or hardware issue causing call ringing problems.

Alternate Alert Methods

Even when your phone is silenced, there are alternate ways you can be alerted to calls and notifications. Many modern smartphones like the iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy S22 have advanced haptic feedback that can provide taptic vibrations or tap patterns when calls or notifications come in.

You can customize vibrations in your phone’s settings so certain contacts have unique vibrations. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics to adjust vibration patterns [1]. For Samsung Galaxy phones, customize vibrations under Settings > Sounds and Vibration [2].

Visual alerts like LED notification lights or always-on displays can also notify you of calls and messages when silenced. Apps like ProfReminder let you set custom sounds that override DND and vibrate modes [2]. So with the right settings, you can receive alerts even with your ringer silenced.

Troubleshooting Tips

If your phone is not ringing when you get calls, there are several troubleshooting tips to try out:

First, check your phone’s settings. Open the Settings app and go to Sound & vibration. Make sure the volume for media, alarms, and ringtones is turned up high enough to be audible. Also check that your phone is not set to a silent or vibrate-only mode by toggling the ring/vibrate/silent switch.

Next, look at any apps you may have recently downloaded. Certain third party apps can change your sound settings or block incoming calls without your knowledge. Try uninstalling new apps one-by-one to see if one is causing the no-ring issue.

It’s also a good idea to restart your phone, as this can reset any glitched out settings. Power down your phone completely, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on and test if call ringing works.

Finally, the issue may be hardware related if a phone reboot does not help. Check that your phone’s speaker is not obstructed by debris. Also inspect the speaker and headphone ports for damage or obstructions. If the hardware seems fine, you may need a professional repair to fix the speakers or phone software.

Following these troubleshooting tips can help identify and resolve most cases of call ringing failure. Just be sure to methodically check your settings, apps, and hardware until your phone rings loud and clear once again.

Sources:

[1] https://www.asurion.com/connect/tech-tips/fix-android-phone-that-wont-ring/

[2] https://www.lifewire.com/missing-calls-because-android-isn-t-ringing-4586326