If your phone is going directly to voicemail without ringing, you may be missing important calls. This can be frustrating, especially if you don’t know what’s causing the issue. There are several possible reasons for this problem, including network issues, phone settings, or software glitches.
The good news is that most of these issues can be easily fixed. In this guide, we will go through the most common reasons why your phone might be sending calls straight to voicemail and how you can troubleshoot the problem.
Common Reasons Why Your Phone Goes Straight to Voicemail
1. Your Phone Is in Airplane Mode
Airplane Mode disables all wireless connections, including your mobile network. If it’s turned on, your phone won’t receive calls, and all calls will be forwarded to voicemail.
How to Fix It:
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On iPhone: Go to Settings > Airplane Mode and make sure it is turned off.
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On Android: Swipe down from the top of your screen and check if the Airplane Mode icon is enabled. If it is, tap it to turn it off.
2. Do Not Disturb (DND) Mode Is Enabled
When Do Not Disturb mode is turned on, incoming calls are automatically silenced and may go straight to voicemail.
How to Fix It:
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On iPhone: Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and turn it off.
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On Android: Go to Settings > Sound & Vibration > Do Not Disturb and disable it.
You can also allow calls from specific contacts by adding them to your Favorites or Allowed Contacts list.
3. Your Call Forwarding Settings Are Enabled
If call forwarding is activated, incoming calls may be sent directly to another number or voicemail without ringing your phone.
How to Fix It:
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On iPhone: Dial ##002# and press Call to disable all call forwarding settings.
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On Android: Go to Settings > Call Settings > Call Forwarding and turn it off.
4. Your Phone Has No Signal or Poor Network Coverage
If your phone is in an area with weak or no signal, incoming calls will not connect and may go straight to voicemail.
How to Fix It:
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Move to an area with better network coverage.
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Turn Airplane Mode on and off to reset the network connection.
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Restart your phone to refresh the connection.
5. Your SIM Card Is Not Properly Inserted
A loose, damaged, or malfunctioning SIM card can prevent your phone from receiving calls.
How to Fix It:
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Turn off your phone and remove the SIM card.
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Check for any dust, dirt, or damage on the SIM card.
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Reinsert the SIM properly and restart your phone.
6. Your Mobile Carrier Is Experiencing Issues
Sometimes, the problem is not with your phone but with your cellular provider. A network outage can cause calls to go directly to voicemail.
How to Fix It:
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Check your carrier’s website or social media for outage reports.
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Try using WiFi calling if available.
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Contact your mobile provider for assistance.
7. You Have Blocked the Caller by Mistake
If a specific person’s calls always go straight to voicemail, you might have accidentally blocked their number.
How to Fix It:
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On iPhone: Go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts and check if their number is listed. If it is, remove it.
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On Android: Open the Phone app > Settings > Blocked Numbers and unblock them.
8. Your Voicemail Settings Are Misconfigured
Sometimes, incorrect voicemail settings can cause calls to be redirected too quickly.
How to Fix It:
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Contact your mobile carrier and ask them to reset your voicemail settings.
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Dial your carrier’s voicemail setup code and follow the instructions.
9. Your Phone Software Needs an Update
Software glitches or outdated operating systems can cause call handling issues.
How to Fix It:
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On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.
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On Android: Go to Settings > System > Software Update and update your phone.
How to Test If the Problem Is Fixed
After following the troubleshooting steps, test if your phone can receive calls normally:
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Call your number from another phone and see if it rings.
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Ask a friend to call you and check if their call goes through.
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Restart your phone and try again.
If the issue persists, you may need further troubleshooting.
When to Contact Your Mobile Carrier or Phone Manufacturer
If you’ve tried all the fixes and your phone still goes straight to voicemail, it may be time to seek professional help.
1. Contact Your Mobile Carrier
Your service provider can check if there are any network issues, account restrictions, or voicemail problems affecting your phone.
2. Visit a Repair Center
If the issue persists, it may be a hardware problem, such as a faulty antenna or SIM card slot. A technician can inspect and repair your phone.
3. Consider Replacing Your SIM Card
An old or damaged SIM card may be the root cause of the issue. Visit your carrier’s store and request a replacement SIM card.
How to Prevent This Issue in the Future
To ensure your phone doesn’t send calls straight to voicemail again, follow these tips:
✔️ Regularly check your phone settings – Make sure Airplane Mode, Do Not Disturb, and Call Forwarding are disabled when not needed.
✔️ Keep your phone updated – Install the latest software updates to fix potential bugs.
✔️ Monitor your network signal – If you frequently experience poor reception, consider switching carriers.
✔️ Use WiFi calling – If network issues persist, enable WiFi calling as an alternative.
✔️ Check your SIM card periodically – Ensure it is properly inserted and undamaged.
If your phone is going straight to voicemail, it’s likely due to incorrect settings, network problems, or software glitches. Fortunately, most of these issues can be resolved by checking your settings, updating your phone, or resetting your network connection.
If the problem persists, contacting your mobile carrier or visiting a repair center may be necessary. By following preventive measures like keeping your phone updated and checking network signals, you can reduce the chances of this issue happening again.