How do I fix an iPhone that won't make or complete calls?
Answer
This is usually a temporary cellular connection issue, an active Airplane Mode or Do Not Disturb setting, or a line that is not currently active on the account. A restart resolves it in many cases.
Follow these steps
Restart the iPhone
Turn the iPhone off completely and back on again, which clears many temporary network connection issues.
You should see: The phone restarts and shows normal signal bars in the status bar.
Toggle Airplane Mode
Turn Airplane Mode on for about 10 seconds, then turn it back off, which forces the phone to reconnect to the cellular network.
You should see: The signal indicator briefly disappears and then returns, showing the phone reconnected.
Confirm the cellular line is active
Go to Settings, then Cellular, and check that the correct line is enabled and shows as active rather than greyed out.
You should see: The cellular line appears turned on and selected as the default for calls.
Check Focus and Do Not Disturb
Go to Settings, then Focus, and confirm Do Not Disturb or another Focus mode is not silently blocking or rejecting calls.
You should see: No Focus mode is active, or it is configured to allow calls from the numbers that were failing.
Check for a carrier settings update
Go to Settings, then General, then About, and stay on that screen for about 30 seconds to allow a carrier settings update prompt to appear if one is available.
You should see: Either no update prompt appears, meaning settings are current, or a prompt appears and can be accepted.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Whether calls fail to every number or just some, whether the phone shows full signal bars, and the exact wording of any message such as call failed.
Before you change anything: Confirm which iPhone model and iOS version is being used. Check whether calls fail to all contacts or just specific numbers. Confirm cellular signal is showing in the status bar. Never share a password or verification code with anyone claiming to be support.