Missing important calls because your Samsung Galaxy S25 stays silent is a common headache. You might see the screen light up with a missed call notification, but you never heard a sound. The issue usually comes down to a simple setting in One UI 7, a connected accessory, or a minor software hiccup.
Let's start with the quickest fix. Pull down the notification shade twice to see your Quick Settings panel. Look for the sound mode icon in the top row. If you see a speaker with a line through it, your phone is on Silent or Vibrate mode. Tap it to switch to Sound mode.
While you're there, also check for a moon icon, which represents Do Not Disturb. If it's highlighted, tap it to turn it off. This mode silences all calls and alerts, which is often the culprit.
Check Your Sound and Volume Settings
Open Settings > Sounds and vibration. Here, you'll find the master volume controls. Drag the "Ringtone" slider all the way to the right to ensure it's at maximum. I'd also recommend tapping on "Volume" to see the individual sliders and confirm the call volume isn't being limited by something else.
Right below the volume, you can set your default ringtone. Sometimes a corrupted audio file can cause issues. Tap "Ringtone" and try selecting a different Samsung default tone, like "Over the Horizon." Test immediately with a call from another phone.
Also in the Sounds and vibration menu, scroll down to "Do not disturb." Tap it and make sure the toggle at the top is off. Look at any schedules or rules that might be automatically activating it, like during your bedtime.
Disconnect Bluetooth and Accessories
If your S25 is connected to a Galaxy Watch, wireless earbuds like Galaxy Buds, or a car stereo, incoming calls will often route audio to that device instead of your phone's speaker. Go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth and toggle the switch off at the top.
You can also just disconnect specific devices by tapping the gear icon next to them and selecting "Disconnect." This is a good step to test if the problem only happens when a particular accessory is paired. After turning Bluetooth off, have someone call you to see if the ringtone now plays from the phone.
Review App-Specific Notification Permissions
This is a common one people overlook. Your phone app needs permission to make sound. Go to Settings > Apps, then find and tap "Phone" in the list. Select "Notifications."
Make sure notifications are turned "On." Then, tap on "Incoming calls" under the "Notification categories" section. Here, ensure the "Sound" option is enabled. You can also check that the notification style is set to "Pop-up" if you want the call screen to appear.
Do the same for any other calling apps you use, like Google Dialer, WhatsApp, or Skype. Each app manages its own sound permissions in One UI.
Examine Focus Modes and Routines
Samsung's Modes and Routines (the successor to Bixby Routines) are powerful but can silently change your settings. Open the Modes app or go to Settings > Modes and Routines. See if any mode, like "Sleep" or "Driving," is currently active. These often enable Do Not Disturb.
Tap into any active mode and check what actions it's performing. Look for actions related to sound, calls, or Do Not Disturb and disable them for that mode. Also, check the "Routines" tab for any automated rules that might be triggering when you don't expect them to.
Look for Blocked Numbers and Call Settings
Open your Phone app and tap the three-dot menu in the top right. Go to Settings > Block numbers. If a number is accidentally on this list, calls from it will be silenced. You can also check if "Block unknown callers" is enabled here, which sends all private or unidentified numbers straight to voicemail.
Another setting to check is call forwarding. In the Phone app's settings, tap "Supplementary services" or "Call forwarding." Make sure it's not set to forward all your calls to another number, which would prevent your S25 from ringing.
Perform a Software Refresh
A simple restart can clear out temporary glitches affecting the sound system. Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Side key (power button) together for about 10 seconds until you see the Samsung logo, then release. This force restarts the phone.
Next, check for a software update. Go to Settings > Software update > Download and install. Samsung frequently releases updates that fix bugs, including audio issues. Make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi and have good battery life before starting the update.
If the problem persists, you can try resetting all settings. This won't delete your photos or apps, but it will revert all system settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, sound, display) back to default. Go to Settings > General management > Reset > Reset all settings. Enter your PIN if prompted and confirm.
Check for Physical and System Interference
If you use a case, especially a bulky one, try removing it. Sometimes a case can press against the volume buttons or muffle the top speaker where the ringtone plays. Give it a call while the phone is out of the case to test.
Also, consider if you've installed any third-party apps that manage sound or calls, like volume boosters or call recorders. These can sometimes conflict with the system. Try booting the phone into Safe Mode to see if the ringing works there. To do this, press and hold the power button, then tap and hold the "Power off" icon on the screen until the Safe Mode prompt appears.
If the phone rings normally in Safe Mode, a recently downloaded app is likely causing the problem. You'll need to uninstall apps one by one to find the culprit.
