Why is my Android phone not ringing when someone calls?

Steps to check

1. Turn the ring volume up and check the sound mode

   Press a volume button on the side of the phone. A slider appears. Make sure the ringer is set to Ring (a bell), not Vibrate or Mute, and slide the ring volume up. If music or a video is playing, the buttons change that volume instead, so stop it first and use the settings menu to reach the ring slider.

   Samsung Settings → Sounds and vibration → choose Sound, not Vibrate or Mute. Then close any music or video and use the volume buttons to raise the ring volumePixel Press a volume button → tap the icon above the slider until it shows Ring → tap the menu dots to see the Ring volume slider

2. Turn off Do Not Disturb and bedtime or sleep modes

   Do Not Disturb silences calls on purpose, and it is easy to leave on by accident or to have it switch on by a schedule each night. Swipe down from the top of the screen and look for a Do Not Disturb tile that is lit up. Tap it to turn it off. Also check for bedtime, sleep, or driving modes, which can silence calls the same way. If you like Do Not Disturb, you can keep it and allow calls from your contacts or from someone who calls twice in a few minutes.

   Samsung Quick settings → touch and hold Do not disturb to check it. Also Settings → Modes and Routines → turn off modes like Sleep or RelaxPixel Quick Settings → Do Not Disturb. For schedules and exceptions: Settings → Modes → Do Not Disturb (older versions: Settings → Sound & vibration → Do Not Disturb)

3. Make sure Airplane mode is off

   Airplane mode turns off the phone's connection to the mobile network, so calls cannot reach you at all and usually go straight to voicemail. Swipe down from the top of the screen. If the airplane tile is lit up, tap it once to turn it off, then wait a few seconds for the signal bars to come back.

4. On Samsung, check that Mute all sounds is off

   Samsung phones have a hearing setting that silences every sound on the phone, including the ringtone. It is worth a quick look if nothing at all makes a sound. Samsung also notes that the ringtone volume will not go up while headphones are connected or media is playing.

   Samsung Settings → Accessibility → Hearing enhancements → turn off Mute all sounds

5. If only some people can't get through, check blocked numbers

   A blocked number never rings. The phone declines the call on its own. Open the Phone app, go to its settings, and look at the blocked numbers list. Remove anyone who should not be there. Also check settings that block unknown or private numbers, and spam filtering, which can send suspected spam calls away without a missed call alert.

   Samsung Phone app → three dots → Settings → look for Call blocking or Blocked callsPixel Phone app → More → Settings → Blocked numbers. Spam filter: Phone app → More → Settings → Caller ID and spam → Filter spam calls

6. Restart the phone, then check signal and call forwarding

   Restarting clears small glitches and reconnects the phone to the network. Swipe down from the top of the screen, tap the power icon, and choose Restart. On some phones you hold the power button instead. Then have someone ring you. If calls still go straight to voicemail while the phone shows signal, call forwarding may be switched on, or the SIM card or your account may need a look. Your carrier can check both for you over the phone or in a store.

Normal vs. not

Common questions

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