Android Phone Calls Go Straight to Voicemail? Here's Why & 16 Solutions
I've missed several important calls from my boss, and a few calls from my wife and kids. It seems random. It never happens when we deliberately test it. -- from Reddit
Are you facing the frustrating issue of Android phone calls going straight to voicemail, even with a strong signal and disabled call forwarding? Missing important calls from work, family, or friends can be highly inconvenient. In many cases, this problem persists despite your best efforts to ensure proper call routing.
This article will delve into "why calls go straight to voicemail on Android" and provide you with 16 effective methods to fix this issue.
Part 1: Why Do Calls Go Straight to Voicemail on Android
- Do Not Disturb Mode: Silences all calls and notifications.
- Call Forwarding: Redirects calls to another number or voicemail.
- Airplane Mode: Disables all wireless connections, blocking calls.
- Silence Unknown Callers: Sends calls from unknown numbers to voicemail.
- Network Issues: Weak signal or network outages prevent calls.
- VoLTE Settings: Misconfigured or malfunctioning VoLTE features.
- SIM Card Problems: A damaged or loose SIM card disrupts incoming calls.
- Call Barring: Blocks specific types of incoming calls.
- Outdated Software: Glitches in older Android versions or apps.
- Bluetooth Devices: Connected Bluetooth gadgets intercept incoming calls.
- Battery Saver Mode: Restricts background activities, affecting calls.
- Blocked Numbers: Calls from blocked contacts go straight to voicemail.
- Announce Calls Feature: Misconfigured settings route calls to voicemail.
- Driving Mode/Focus Mode: Automatically silences or redirects calls.
- Voicemail Settings: Misconfigured settings might redirect all calls.
- Third-Party Apps: Call-blocking or spam-filtering apps interfere with calls.
- Ringer Volume or Vibration: Muted or very low volume settings.
- Network Mode (e.g., 3G/4G/5G): Incompatible network type settings.
- Device Glitch: Temporary software or hardware issues on the phone.
Part 2: Android Phone Calls Go Straight to Voicemail? 15 Fixes to It
Fix 1: Unblock the phone number
Call blocking is useful but might accidentally block important numbers. To fix this:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three dots in the top-right and select "Settings" or "Call Settings".
- Go to "Blocked numbers" to see the blocked ones.
- Tap the red minus sign next to the numbers you want to unblock.
Fix 2: Disable Do Not Disturb mode
Calls go to voicemail if "Silent" or "Do Not Disturb" mode is on. Here's how to turn it off:
- For Samsung: Swipe down for Quick Settings. Tap the "Do Not Disturb" icon to turn it off (gray = off, blue = on).
- For most other Android phones: Go to Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb. Ensure it’s off and tap "Turn off now" if needed. Check schedules to prevent automatic activation.
You're also advised to turn off silent mode. To do this, open "Settings" and navigate to "Sound" or "Sounds and notifications". Check the "Ring volume" slider and make sure it's set above the minimum level.
Fix 3: Turn off Airplane mode
- Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the "Quick Settings" panel.
- Look for the "Airplane Mode" icon (usually a plane symbol).
- If it's enabled, tap it to disable it.
Fix 4: Disable call forwarding/barring
Not all Android phones support call forwarding, but it might be forwarding calls to voicemail or another number. Disable it as follows:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three dots > Settings or Call Settings.
- Select Calls or Supplementary services > Call forwarding/Call barring.
- Turn off options like Always Forward, Forward when busy, Forward when unanswered, or Forward when unreached.
- Ensure toggles for All incoming calls and All incoming calls when roaming are off.
Fix 5: Toggle off Bluetooth
This resolves confusion when Bluetooth misroutes audio or thinks it's connected to a device. When Bluetooth is redirecting calls to a device, here's how to fix it:
- Go to Settings > Connections or Bluetooth.
- Toggle the "Bluetooth" switch to turn it off.
- Wait briefly, then turn "Bluetooth" back on.
Fix 6: Change network type
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Go to "Mobile Network" settings.
- Find the "Network" mode or Preferred network type option.
- Switch to a different network type, such as 4G or 3G.
You May Also Like: How can you fix your phone not ringing? Here are the 11 simple solutions.
Fix 7: Verify driving mode
- Look for any apps that automatically enable driving mode (e.g., Android Auto).
- If using Android Auto or a similar app, open it and check if the driving mode is activated.
- Disable driving mode within the app or settings.
Fix 8: Turn the ringer volume up
- Press the Volume Up Button: Use the physical "Volume" button on the side of your phone to increase the volume.
- Adjust in Settings: Go to Settings > Sound. Under "Ringer volume", drag the slider to increase the volume.
- Ensure the volume is high enough to hear incoming calls.
Fix 9: Switch off VoLTE
- Open "Settings" on your phone.
- Go to "Connections" or "Network & Internet".
- Tap on "Mobile Network".
- Look for "VoLTE calls" or "Enhanced 4G LTE" and toggle it off.
Fix 10: Reset network settings
This will reset your network settings, including Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth. How do I get my Android phone to stop going straight to voicemail by resetting the network?
- Open "Settings", scroll down, and select "System".
- Tap "Reset options".
- Choose Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
- Confirm by tapping "Reset settings".
Fix 11: Let others call you with focus mode
- Go to Settings > Focus and select the "Focus mode" you want to use.
- Under "Silence Notifications", tap "Choose People".
- Select "Allow Notifications From", then tap the "Add People" icon.
- Choose the contacts and tap "Done".
- Tap "Next", then select "Allowed People Only" under "Choose Calls to Allow" and hit "Done". (Only calls from the contacts you've selected will come through while Focus Mode is active.)
Fix 12: Check for system updates
When a device is not updated regularly, various problems may arise over time. Below is a general guide to address this issue:
- Navigate to "Settings" and select "About Phone".
- Choose your "Device" name and turn on "Check for Updates".
Fix 13: Reinsert/replace the SIM card
- Turn off your phone.
- Locate the SIM card tray (usually on the side of the phone).
- Use a SIM ejector tool or a small pin to open the tray.
- Remove the old SIM card.
- Insert the new or reinsert the card correctly into the tray.
- Reinsert the tray and power on the phone. (What if no SIM error occurs?)
- If the above doesn't work, just replace the card.
Fix 14: Reboot your phone
- Press and hold the "Power" button on your phone.
- Select "Restart" or "Reboot" from the options that appear.
- Wait for the phone to turn off and back on.
Fix 15: Contact cellular provider
- Look up your provider's customer support number (usually found on their website or your bill).
- Dial the number and explain the issue with calls going straight to voicemail.
- Ask them to check your account for any issues, like call forwarding, network problems, or account restrictions.
- They may guide you through troubleshooting steps or offer a solution.
Part 3: How to Fix Phone Calls Going Straight to Voicemail [Ultimate]
Upon discovering that your Android phone is not responding due to automatic redirection to voicemail, it is advisable to initially explore some complimentary methods.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that we cannot cover every possible solution, and there is a chance that the issue may persist even after attempting the aforementioned approaches. For a more effective resolution with a greater likelihood of success, consider utilizing the Android Repair tool.
What makes Android Repair excellent?
- 0ffer simple clicks to fix Android phone calls go straight to voicemail
- Work for other situations like Android won't turn on, Android stuck on boot loop, phone screen of death, system crash, bricked Android phone, etc.
-Support 1000+ Android phones from various carrier providers.
- 100% easy and safe to use.
- Millions of users have downloaded it.
How to effectively fix Android phone calls that go straight to voicemail with Android Repair?
Step 1. Begin by launching the best system repair software that you have installed on your computer, and navigate to the "System Repair" tab located on the main interface.
Step 2. Connect your Android device to the computer using a USB cable, and select "Android Repair" from the options on the left side. The program will display a list of Android issues it is capable of resolving. Review the information provided and click on "Start."
Step 3. In the subsequent window, enter the details of your device and click "Next" to proceed to the following screen. Manually input "000000" into the designated field and select "Confirm" to continue. It is important to note that this system repair process may result in the loss of all data on your device.
Step 4A (Optional): For devices equipped with a "Home" button: turn off your phone, then simultaneously press the "Home," "Power," and "Volume Down" buttons for 10 seconds. Release all buttons, then press and hold the "Volume Up" button to access download mode.
Step 4B (Optional): For devices lacking a "Home" button: power off your phone, then press and hold the "Bixby," "Power," and "Volume Down" buttons for approximately 10 seconds before releasing them. Next, press the "Volume Up" button to enter download mode.
Once your device is in download mode, click "Next" to initiate the firmware download for your phone. After the download is complete, follow the on-screen instructions to promptly address any potential system errors.
Words in the End
While the methods provided here should resolve the issue for most users if you're still experiencing problems, consider using Android Repair for a direct and efficient fix with a high success rate. This product can address complex software issues causing calls to bypass your device and ensure optimal performance.
Finally, a side note here - To prevent this issue in the future, ensure that your phone's software is regularly updated, and periodically check your settings, including network, call forwarding options, etc.
Related Articles:
Android Not Receiving Texts from iPhone? Reasons & 12 Easy Solutions
Samsung Phone Not Receiving Calls? Reasons & 14 Optimal Fixes
5 Most Effective Solutions to Recover Deleted Voicemail on Android
6 Broken Android Data Recovery Methods to Extract Files from Your Phone