Seeing a call fail on your Fairphone 5 is a real nuisance, especially when you need to get through. This usually happens because the phone can't properly connect to your mobile network. A weak signal, a minor software hiccup, or a setting that's out of place are the typical culprits.
Let's run through the most effective fixes, starting with the quickest ones you can try right now.
Toggle Airplane Mode
The fastest way to reset your mobile connection is with Airplane Mode. This clears out any temporary network glitches that might be blocking your calls.
Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Quick Settings panel. Tap the Airplane Mode icon to turn it on, wait about 15 seconds, and then tap it again to turn it off. Your phone will reconnect to the network, which often solves the problem immediately.
Check Your Signal Strength
Weak signal is the number one reason calls drop or fail. Look at the signal bars in the top-right corner of your Fairphone's screen. If you only have one or two bars, try moving to a different spot.
Going near a window or stepping outside can make a big difference. If you're in a building with thick walls, the signal might just be struggling to reach you.
Restart Your Fairphone 5
A simple restart can clear out many small software issues that affect calling. Just press and hold the power button until the power menu appears, then tap "Restart."
If the screen is unresponsive, you can perform a force restart. Press and hold the power button for at least 10 seconds until the device powers off and begins to restart. Given the modular design, you also have the unique option to remove and reinsert the battery, which achieves the same hard reset.
Check Do Not Disturb and Focus Modes
Your phone might be silently blocking calls without you realizing it. Swipe down from the top to check your Quick Settings for any active Do Not Disturb or Focus mode icons.
You can also go into Settings > Sound & vibration > Do Not Disturb to see the schedule and rules. Make sure your calls are allowed to come through.
Update Date and Time Settings
Believe it or not, an incorrect system time can mess with network authentication. It's an easy thing to check and fix.
Open Settings > System > Date & time. Make sure the "Use network-provided time" and "Use network-provided time zone" options are both switched on. This lets your carrier keep everything in sync.
Review Your Blocked Numbers List
It's worth a quick look to ensure you haven't accidentally blocked the number you're trying to reach. The Fairphone's dialer app handles this.
Open your Phone app, tap the three-dot menu in the top-right, and go to Settings > Blocked numbers. If you see the number there, tap the "X" next to it to unblock.
Verify Mobile Data and Network Mode
Ensure your mobile data is enabled, especially if you're trying to use Wi-Fi calling. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet and make sure your SIM is active.
You can also try switching your preferred network type. Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > [Your SIM] > Preferred network type. If you're on "5G," try switching to "4G" or "3G" temporarily to see if the call connects more reliably, then switch back.
Check for Carrier Services Updates
Carrier updates deliver important connectivity improvements directly from your network provider. These usually install automatically, but it's good to check.
Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, and go to Manage apps & device > Manage > Updates available. Look for an app called "Carrier Services" and update it if you see it there.
Inspect Your SIM Card
A loose, dirty, or faulty SIM card is a common hardware cause for call failures. The good news is, accessing the SIM tray on the Fairphone 5 is straightforward.
Use the SIM eject tool (or a small paperclip) to pop out the tray. Remove the SIM card, gently wipe the gold contacts with a soft, dry cloth, and carefully reinsert it. If you have another phone, try your SIM in it to see if the problem follows the card.
Update Your Android Software
Software updates from Fairphone often include fixes for connectivity bugs. One of the big perks of this phone is its promise of 8+ years of updates, so you should always be on a relatively recent version.
Connect to Wi-Fi, then go to Settings > System > System update. Download and install any available updates. I'd start with this one if the simpler network resets don't work.
Reset Your Network Settings
This is a more thorough step that clears all your saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, and cellular settings back to default. It won't delete your personal files, but you will have to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks afterward.
To do this, navigate to Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. Tap "Reset settings" and confirm. This can resolve deeper configuration conflicts.
Contact Your Mobile Carrier
If you've tried everything here and calls are still failing, the issue is likely on your network provider's end. There could be a local tower outage, a problem with your account, or your SIM card may need replacing.
Give your carrier's customer service a call from another phone. Ask them to check for outages and to verify your line is provisioned correctly for voice calls. They can also send you a replacement SIM card, which often solves persistent issues.