When your Samsung Galaxy S23 stops ringing for incoming calls, it's easy to miss important conversations. This issue on One UI 6 can stem from a few different places, from a simple toggle you accidentally switched to a deeper software hiccup. I'd start with the quick checks below, as they resolve the majority of these silent call problems.
Check Do Not Disturb and Focus Modes First
This is the most common culprit. Your Galaxy S23 has several modes that can silence calls. Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open the full Quick Settings panel. Look for icons like "Do Not Disturb," "Sleep," or "Work." If any are highlighted, tap them to turn them off.
For a more thorough check, go into Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb. Make sure it's toggled off and review any schedules or allowed exceptions that might be blocking calls from your contacts.
Verify Your Network and SIM Card
Sometimes the issue is with your connection, not your phone's settings. First, check your signal bars. If you have no service or a very weak signal, calls won't come through. Try toggling Airplane Mode on and off from the Quick Settings to force a network reconnection.
It's also worth removing your SIM card tray. Use the ejector tool that came with your phone, take the SIM out, and then firmly reseat it. A poorly connected SIM can cause intermittent call failures. If you have another phone handy, testing your SIM card in it can tell you if the problem is with the card or your S23.
Review Call Blocking and Spam Protection
Samsung's built-in spam protection is great, but it can sometimes be overzealous. Open your Phone app, tap the three-dot menu in the top right, and go to Settings > Block numbers. See if any numbers you're expecting calls from are listed here.
Next, go back and look for Caller ID and spam protection. You can temporarily turn this off to see if it's the reason calls are being silently blocked. Some carriers also offer their own spam filter, which you might need to manage through their app or website.
Disable Call Forwarding and Check for Call Barring
Call forwarding could be sending your calls straight to voicemail without ringing. To check, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, and go to Settings > Supplementary services. Tap on Call forwarding and make sure all options, like "Always forward" or "When busy," are set to "Disable."
While you're in the Supplementary services menu, also tap on Call barring. Ensure that no barring options are active for incoming calls, as this would block them entirely.
Reset Your Network Settings
If you're still having trouble, a network settings reset can clear out any corrupted connection data. Go to Settings > General management > Reset > Reset network settings. Tap to confirm.
Be aware this will erase all saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, Bluetooth pairings, and custom mobile network settings. Your phone will reboot, and you'll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices afterward.
Update Your Software and Check for App Conflicts
Samsung frequently releases updates that fix bugs affecting call functionality. Go to Settings > Software update > Download and install. If an update is available, install it. I've seen several updates for the S23 that specifically addressed network and calling issues.
A problematic third-party app could also be interfering. Boot your phone into Safe Mode to test. Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears, then press and hold the "Power off" option. Tap "Safe Mode" to restart. If calls work normally in Safe Mode, a recently downloaded app is likely the cause. You'll need to uninstall apps one by one to find the offender.
Clear the Phone App's Cache and Data
Corrupted data within the Phone app itself can cause strange behavior. Go to Settings > Apps, find and tap on Phone. Select Storage and then tap Clear cache. If the problem persists, go back and tap Clear data.
Clearing data will reset the Phone app to its default settings, so you may lose your call log and any custom settings within the app. Your contacts are safe as they're stored separately.