Missing calls on your Sony Xperia 1 VI is a real headache, especially when you see the missed call notification pop up but never heard a sound. The phone runs Android 14, which is generally solid, but a few settings can get flipped or a software hiccup can cause the ringer to go silent. Let's run through the fixes, starting with the most common one.
Check Your Physical Alert Slider and Volume
The Xperia 1 VI has a physical, three-position alert slider on the right side, just below the volume buttons. Make sure it's not set to silent or vibrate. The top position is for sound, the middle is for vibrate, and the bottom is for complete silence. Slide it all the way to the top for the ringer to work.
Next, with the phone unlocked, press the volume up button on the side. This adjusts your media volume by default. You need to make sure you're increasing the ringtone and notification volume specifically. Pull down the quick settings shade and tap the gear icon to open Settings, then go to Sound & vibration > Volume. Here, you can independently adjust the call volume slider.
Disable Do Not Disturb and Focus Modes
Android's Do Not Disturb and any active Focus modes (like Work or Sleep) will silence incoming calls. You can check this quickly by pulling down the notification shade twice to see the full quick settings panel. Look for a moon icon; if it's highlighted, tap it to turn Do Not Disturb off.
For a more thorough check, go into Settings > Sound & vibration > Do Not Disturb. Here, you can see if any schedules are active or if the mode is turned on manually. Also, check Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls > Focus mode to ensure none of those profiles are currently blocking notifications.
Review Your Ringtone and Sound Settings
Sometimes the selected ringtone file itself can be corrupted or set to "None." Head to Settings > Sound & vibration > Phone ringtone. Try selecting a different default ringtone and then make a test call to see if it plays.
Also, in the Sound settings, ensure that "Also vibrate for calls" is turned on if you want that extra alert. It's a good backup. While you're there, scroll down and make sure "Play sound when dialing" is off if you don't want keypad tones, but that shouldn't affect your ringer.
Disconnect Bluetooth and Check Call Routing
If your Xperia is connected to a Bluetooth device like headphones, a speaker, or your car, incoming calls might be routed there silently. Go to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Bluetooth and toggle it off temporarily to test. You can also tap the gear icon next to a connected device and disable the "Calls" profile.
Another routing setting to check is for hearing aids. Go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Hearing aids. If "Hearing aid compatibility" is turned on, try disabling it, as it can sometimes interfere with normal audio output for calls.
Inspect Call Blocking and Special Handling Rules
You might have accidentally blocked a number or set a rule that sends certain calls straight to voicemail. Open your Phone app, tap the three-dot menu in the top right, and go to Settings > Blocked numbers. Review the list to make sure the caller isn't there.
Also, check for any "Call forwarding" rules that might be active. In the Phone app's Settings, look for "Call forwarding" or "Additional settings" to ensure your number isn't forwarding calls elsewhere, which would prevent your phone from ringing.
Check App-Specific Notification Permissions
This is crucial if you're using a third-party dialer app or a VoIP app like WhatsApp or Skype for calls. Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps. Find your phone dialer app (often called "Phone") and also any messaging apps you use for calls.
Tap on the app, then go to Notifications. Ensure notifications are turned on for that app. For the dialer, look for a notification category called "Incoming calls" or similar and make sure it's set to "Make sound and pop on screen." Some apps bury these settings deep, so it's worth a look.
Perform a Software Update
Software bugs can occasionally cause audio and ringer issues. Sony's updates for the Xperia line can be less frequent than some brands, but when they arrive, they often contain important fixes. Connect to Wi-Fi, then go to Settings > System > Software update to check for and install any available updates.
Restart or Force Restart Your Xperia
A simple restart clears out temporary glitches. Hold the power button until the power menu appears, then tap "Restart." If the phone is completely unresponsive, you can force restart it. Press and hold the Power button and the Volume Up button together for about 10 seconds or until you feel the phone vibrate and see the Sony logo.
Reset App Preferences or Network Settings
This is a lighter step than a full reset. Go to Settings > System > Reset options. Tap "Reset app preferences." This won't delete any app data, but it will reset all your notification permissions, default apps, and background data restrictions. It often resolves odd notification behaviors.
If the issue seems related to cellular network calls specifically, you can try "Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth" from the same Reset options menu. This will erase all saved networks and paired Bluetooth devices, so you'll have to reconnect to them afterward.
Check for Conflicts with Battery Optimization
Android's aggressive battery saving can sometimes stop apps from running in the background properly, which might delay or silence call notifications. Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps. Select your phone dialer app, then tap Battery.
Set the battery restriction to "Unrestricted." Do the same for any other apps you use to receive calls, like WhatsApp or Messenger. This tells the system not to put these critical apps to sleep.
