Seeing “Emergency Calls Only” on your phone is very annoying. It’s even worse when you need to be fully connected. Even if your phone shows a strong signal and nothing has changed with your phone or carrier, this issue can pop up. People often find their phones connected to WiFi or the carrier’s network but still can’t make calls or send texts. Many are looking for a quick fix to this common issue. Quick tech solutions are out there.
It’s important to know why this is happening to fix your phone. Problems could be due to network settings, SIM card issues, or software bugs. Thankfully, there are easy steps you can follow to fix this. You might not even need to call for help.
Common Reasons for Emergency Calls Only
Ever found yourself asking why your phone says “Emergency Calls Only”? This message pops up for several reasons. Even though phones are built to connect with emergency services, certain issues may prevent other calls. The main reasons include trouble with the cellular network, SIM card issues, and glitches in the phone’s software.
Network Connectivity Issues
Network problems are often to blame for the “Emergency Calls Only” alert. This happens if you’re out of your cell service area or have a weak signal. It might also occur in areas with poor reception. Sometimes, switching your phone’s network mode can help get a better connection.
SIM Card Problems
SIM card issues can lead to this problem too. Reasons include an inactive SIM, damage to the card, or it not being put in right. Make sure your SIM is active and correctly placed. For Android users, managing your SIM cards through an app helps, especially for those with two SIMs. Also, clearing your SIM Toolkit cache and picking your network provider manually can fix the issue.
Software Glitches
At times, software within your phone is the issue. Bugs in the system software can mess with connecting to the network. A quick restart usually fixes these short-term glitches. For ongoing problems, resetting your network settings might be needed. These steps can get your phone back online, removing the “Emergency Calls Only” message.
How to Troubleshoot Your Device
Seeing an “Emergency Calls Only” message on your Android can be troubling. But, you can try some basic steps to fix it. These simple methods often solve mobile device problems and get you connected again.
Check Your Network Settings
Start by checking your network settings. Wrong settings can mess up your connectivity. Here’s what to do:
- Go to Settings and pick Network & Internet.
- Make sure your connection is right, like 4G, 5G, or whatever your area supports.
- Switching Airplane Mode on and off can also help. This trick works in 15% of cases to fix network issues.
Restart Your Phone
Turning your phone off and on might seem simple, but it works 80% of the time. A restart helps your device by giving it a fresh start:
- Hold down the power button.
- Choose Restart from the options that show up.
- Wait for your phone to reboot and reconnect to the network.
This is often all you need to fix minor bugs or software problems that stop your phone from connecting.
Update Your Software
Having the latest software is very important. Updates often have fixes that improve your phone and solve network problems:
- Head to Settings and tap System.
- Click on System Update to see if there are updates.
- Install any updates following the prompts on your screen.
Staying updated can fix many issues, including the “Emergency Calls Only” error.
Why Can I Only Make Emergency Calls?
It’s really annoying when you can only make emergency calls. There are many reasons why this happens. Some include a SIM card not put in right, small glitches, or using network modes not right for your phone.
First off, check your SIM card’s installation. If it’s not in right, you’ll see the “Emergency Calls Only” error. Putting the SIM card in right often fixes the problem.
Another easy solution is to restart your phone. This can clear up minor glitches that mess with your phone’s services. For better connectivity, you might need to switch network modes. Try changing between 4G, 3G, and 2G in your settings to fix network issues.
Sometimes, resetting your phone’s network settings can fix bad or wrong settings causing problems. Choosing your carrier manually from the list might also help. These steps help you understand why you’re stuck in emergency call mode. They can get your phone working right again.
If problems keep happening, you might need to reset your phone to its original settings. But, try this only as a last option. Making sure your SIM card works and you’re in a covered area helps avoid these issues.
In the U.S., phones must let you call 911, no matter what. Even with many common issues, your phone can still make that call. Knowing why can help you solve why your phone only makes emergency calls.
Advanced Fixes for Persistent Problems
If basic troubleshooting hasn’t fixed your “SOS Only” mode issue, try advanced solutions. These actions can return your phone’s full functionality.
Manually Select Your Carrier
Automatic network selection might fail, especially where the signal is weak. You can choose your network manually to fix this. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings on your phone.
- Navigate to Network & Internet or Connections.
- Select Mobile Networks, then Network Operators.
- Switch off Automatic and pick your carrier from the list.
Choosing your network manually can skip the errors and reconnect you.
Factory Reset Your Phone
A factory reset is a final step to fix software problems. Remember to back up your data first. Follow these reset steps:
- Open Settings on your device.
- Scroll down and select System.
- Tap on Reset options, then choose Erase all data (factory reset).
- Confirm the reset and wait for your phone to restart.
After resetting, you’ll have to set up your phone and restore data.
Contact Your Service Provider
If manual selection and a reset don’t work, it’s time to call customer service. They can check for service outages or account issues. Contacting customer service can offer precise solutions for network problems.
Still having issues? Reach out to companies like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or others for help. They might suggest further troubleshooting or even a replacement.
Conclusion
Solving the “emergency calls only” issue may be easy or hard, based on what’s wrong. To fix the problem, try basic steps first. Look at your network settings, restart your phone, and make sure your software is up to date. Often, these simple fixes can get your phone working right again.
If those quick fixes don’t work, you might need to try harder solutions. You could need to pick your carrier by hand, reset your network settings, or even do a factory reset. If problems keep happening, talking to your service provider is key. Companies like Appalachian Wireless offer expert advice that is customized for your network.
Having a working phone is super important because we use them so much every day. With services like Next Generation 911 (NG911), being able to call for help is a must. These services show why it’s crucial to have a phone ready for anything. By using these steps, your phone will be reliable, keeping you safe in any situation.
