Are you struggling in fixing iPhone call failed error right now? This issue can be really annoying, especially when you have to make a phone call with an important person. No matter what your iPhone version is, when it comes to any issue, you want to get rid of it as soon as possible. We have discussed so many iPhone problems that may occur, and this time, we are going to list the solutions that will help you fix iPhone call failed error.
See also: iPhone Microphone Not Working – How To Fix It
What Does Call Failed Mean?
This error occurs when you are trying to make a phone call, but your iPhone shows “call failed”, as it has been reported by many users. Some of them said they found the error in the middle of having a conversation. When the iPhone is dropping calls, it is usually because the signal in the particular area is weak. Even though the poor signal is the most common reason why the issue occurs, sometimes the SIM card that is damaged or not properly placed or some software bugs are to blame.
Ways To Fix iPhone Call Failed Error
Toggle Airplane mode
Let’s start with the easiest solution. Turn On the Airplane mode by swiping up from any screen of your iPhone in order to access the Control Center. Then, tap the Airplane icon on the upper-left corner of the Control Center. Wait for a few seconds, then turn back off the Airplane mode.
Date & Time
Check if the Date & Time on your phone are set properly, especially if you have just traveled from a different time zone. It can change some related settings. Enabling “Set Automatically” is the best way to adjust this. First, make sure your iPhone is connected to WiFi. Next, go to Settings >> General >> Date and Time. Then, turn on “Set Automatically”.
Dial *#31#
This is one of iPhone’s hidden codes used to disable your outgoing anonymity status. Perhaps you accidentally have set your iPhone number to be hidden in all outgoing call and this cause call failure every time you make or receive a call. Dialing *#31# is the fastest way to do this. Else, you can also check by opening Settings >> Phone >> Show My Caller ID, and make sure the button color next to it is green.
Restart iPhone
This is one of the simple solutions, but yet powerful. Many issues can be easily fixed after restarting the iPhone. To do it, you can just press and hold the Sleep/Wake button of your device for a few seconds until the red slider appears. Move the slider from left to right and let it completely off. Wait for at least 20 seconds or more. Then, turn it back on by pressing the same button until you see the Apple logo shows up on the screen.

Carrier Settings Update
Carrier Settings on the iPhone is all the settings related to carriers and Apple, which includes network, call, cellular data, messaging, hotspot, and voicemail settings. Updating the iPhone Carrier settings can fix iPhone dropping calls issues. Here is how to do that:
- Make sure your iPhone is connected to a stable Internet connection.
- Go to Settings >> General >> About.
- If the update is available, you will see the notification about it.
Disable LTE
If you want to get a faster Internet connection on your iPhone, you can turn on the LTE. However, it can also impact battery life, calls, text messages, voicemail, and cellular data. To check if this feature is responsible for your iPhone call failed error, try to disable it for a while. You can open Settings >> Cellular >> Cellular Data Option >> tap Voice & Data. Here, choose 3G.
Reinsert SIM card
Your SIM card can be one of the reasons for iPhone dropped calls issues. Check your SIM card if there is any damage or scratches, foremost if you have been using it for a long time.
- Open the tray using a paper clip or the SIM-eject tool.
- Take out the SIM card.
- Try to insert the SIM card into another smartphone and see if it works fine.
- The other option, try to insert another working SIM card into your iPhone and see if you are still getting the iPhone call failed error.
Call your carrier
If you have tried the “Reinsert SIM card” method and find damage on your SIM card, or if it doesn’t work on the smartphone as well, call your carrier. Ask them if there is an issue on the carrier network so that you are not the only one who get this error. Otherwise, ask them for a SIM card replacement.
Update iOS
Sometimes, a bug can make some errors on your device, including iPhone call failed issues. Updating your iOS is essential because it always comes with bug fixes and improvement. Many iPhone issues can be fixed using this method.
- For preparation, make sure your iPhone has connected to a stable Internet connection and that is charged (at least 50%).
- Open Settings >> General >> Software Update.
- If there is an update, your iPhone will load fast to download it first.
- When the Update is ready, tap “Install Now”.
Reset All Settings
One setting can impact the other ones. Try to perform reset all settings because it will bring your iPhone to its default settings. This won’t delete any of your data. Go to Settings >> General >> Reset >> Reset All Settings. After you enter the passcode, choose Reset All Settings to confirm.
Erase iPhone
If the previous solution did not fix the error, try to erase your iPhone. This technique will not only reset all the settings, but will also erase the content and apps on the device. That’s why you should back up your data beforehand. Here are the steps to erase the iPhone:
- Open Settings >> General >> Reset >> Reset All Contents and Settings.
- Enter the passcode.
- Tap Erase iPhone to confirm.
Restore iPhone
The restoring process on iPhone will wipe all the things on your iPhone completely and will bring your iPhone as new. Don’t forget to back up your data before following the steps.
- Make sure your iPhone is full of charge.
- Ensure your iPhone is connected to stable WiFi. This is important, otherwise, you may get iPhone stuck in recovery mode.
- Connect iPhone to Mac/PC with the latest iTunes version installed inside by using a lightning cable.
- Click Restore on the Summary tab.
- Before the process starts, iTunes will download the firmware first.
- Wait until the restoring process is completed.
All the solutions above are found effective to fix iPhone call failed error on iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus.
If you tried the solutions above, and nothing works, contact Genius Bar or the nearest Apple Authorized Service Provider.
See also: iPhone And Apple Errors And Fixes
Two hours on the phone with tech support (useless) and you solved my problem (“Reset all settings.”) Save me from having to buy a new phone! Thank you thank you.
Oh
Thanks you I’m so glad t
The *#31#
Worked
Got it fixed with the *#31# trick. I’m really thankful. U deserve a big hug!! Saved me from many hassles!
We are glad we could help!!! 🙂 Here at Technobezz we all love hugs, so thank you! 🙂
Thank you sir! *#31# is really magically working and problems got resolve.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
I am just delighted you fixed my iPhone!
I tried to your step three, then used your magic formula #31# and I believe that did the trick!
Many regards and hopes for your continued good work.
Genial , despues de un dia con el error encontré tu artículo y la opción *#31# resolvió el problema: gracias !
In my case the issue was fixed after turning off Wi-Fi calling.
It had worked well before, so I’ll have to troubleshoot this particular feature, but it may be worth trying this before taking drastic steps, such as phone reset, etc.
This was SO helpful! Outstanding
Thank you.
Bro thank you so much
This was SO helpful! Outstanding! I’ve been trying to conserve data useage by turning of wifi and cellular data when I’m not in situation to have wifi access. Usually daily…. Could this be impacting iPhone 8 call failed message, etc.?
Thank you.
thank you.
my new iPhone XR was only able to make outgoing calls if LTE was enabled for voice and data. I would get the call failed message everytime LTE was disabled for voice
But i didn’t want to use roaming data for voice as i was traveling internationally.
From above article i tried the
*#31# magic and problem got resolved.
now i am able to make phone calls via my cellular connection and not VoLTE.
Thank you very much!!
I do not have the choice between LTE and 3G, however it was set to “Voice & Data”, I changed the setting to data only and that fixed it.
Much Gratitude!!
Wow!! It really helped me and can’t believe my phone is now in good condition from “call failed”. Thanks in millions ways.
Wow, you a star. This “call fail” always happen to me when I travel abroad. I read through you solution and realised that I have to change voice and data from LTE to 3G.
Thanks a million
Thank you so very much.the above article was so helpful
Thank you… none of these solutions worked but they did help me find my actual problem. which was “Call Failed”..thought I’d share another solution with you.
After updating Apples iOS 12.0.1 to my iPhone6 Plus it caused all my attempts of out going calls to error with “Call failed”. After trying all your suggestions calls continued to go “Call Failed”…
When I originally updated my phone it was very early in the morning while sitting in the car waiting for a store to open. I updated it, I was not plugged into my laptop. Store opened and I went about my business forgetting about the phone… All day the phone didn’t ring and I didn’t need to make any calls… My texting capability was working fine. then I needed to make calls which after a full day, led me to your sight. Seeing how I had already updated the phone there was no need to update again or check it until I read on your page here about toggling the Airplane mode or turning the phone on and off etc…
I went back to General >Software Update> which said my software was up to date. thats when I noticed my Automatic Updates was turned off… So because I “toggled” a few other apps within the phone I decided to toggle the Automatic Update. I turned it on and tried to make a call which worked. I went back General > Software>Automatic Updates and turned it back off and tried making a call and it worked… Seems it was a one fix that had to do with my original update or the final phase of the update. Anyway, I hope this information is of a service to you and I hope i articulated this well enough…
This was very helpful! Thank you 🙂
Yw! Fantastic! 🙂
Thank so much, it helped me a lot !
Yw, our pleasure! 🙂
When calling out, my iphone6 seems like it’s on a timer? The person I call can’t hear me after a few minutes but I can still hear them. Thanks Pam
It can also mean your cell has been hacked or a spy program put on. And yes it can be done remotely!! The next idiot that says it cant then give me ur cell number n ill take over ur cell for u! Then unload the program to get out. I have military knowledge, law enforcement background, work private security and k-9 unit. Also have itt knowledge and the cyber division assist me a ton. So yes u can be hacked or spied on n never know. Also many of the issues above happen n many more. Major proble is ios is a pos! Andiod is better but not by much. Now if u ppl have so much money to toss away then for around 800 bucks or less u can purchase a black phone 2. It uses a military program n runs on an ros. Randomizing operating system. Nobody can get your number nor track you nor hack or spy on u. You number and system randomizes numerous times a minute. Also the company gives the option to pay monthly for their security services and tons more making u elite. Good luck to you all! I really wish you the best!
Awesome man thanks a lot. *#31# really worked well. Problem solved
Great! 🙂
Very helpful guide thanks for such article
Amazing..I had the call Drop issue and the Reset option has worked..Thank you very much..Appreciate your help!!
*#31#This has been helpful..thanks
Awesome! 🙂 Yw!
Nobody could help me……thank you so much.
How can we help you Cecelia?
This is amazing *#31#
So far so good it worked… The airline mode was the culprit
Fantastic! 🙂
Caller ID was off for me, strange cos people could still see me calling…
I have tuned it back “on” and it worked!
Thanks
Fantastic! 🙂
Thank you so much for this article. The information you provided quickly helped me solve a (unexpected and frustrating) issue!
Woha thanks man, the problem was with the caller Id thing which was turned off.
Thank again?
*#31# worked..
Country: India
State: Himachal Pradesh
Carrier: AIRCEL 2G (no 3G or 4G selected)
Device: iPhone 4s
Issue: Incoming calls worked normally but outgoing calls gave an error of Call Failed.
Step 1: Selected network manually
Step 2: Airplane mode On, then Off
Step3: Checked SIM in Android Device (as suggested by AIRCEL Customer Care) – It worked
Step 4: Searched Internet and came across this website.
*#31# worked!
Thanks
Works for a while then after about three outbound calls it does it again. Frustrating as hell.
For me too.
i did it .. it works *#31# thank you ??
Fantastic! 🙂
Thanks you a lot
Karim….
Thank you very much
Regards,
Enabling ‘show my caller ID’ worked for me.. thank you so much..
Excellent! 🙂
Very useful ??
We are glad you find this article useful! 🙂
show caller id.. its working now..
*#31# did it for me!
Great news! 🙂
thanks lotttt
You’re welcome! 🙂
Abhay, interesting you say the issue occurred after you updated the os – the exact same thing happened to me. Very frustrating…
I manually set the show my ID on Problem solved but every time it goes back to disabled/hide mode.Sadly this problem is since I updated os
Abhay, interesting you say the issue occurred after you updated the os – the exact same thing happened to me. Very frustrating…
I get an error when doing the *#31#
“Setting interrogation failed. Calling line id restriction.” What’s that mean?
Yeah me too!
I am facing the same issue and have to always dial *#31# before calling,this is quite annoying to me,is there any permanent solution for this?
Thank you so much
you’re welcome
Thank you so much
The problem was a caller I’d