Have you ever been able to text but found yourself unable to call? This odd situation has a few possible causes. It might be due to network issues, SIM card mistakes, or limits placed by your service. Be aware of tech support scams that prey on this confusion, making false claims about your device.
The FTC suggests avoiding untrustworthy tech support that reaches out first or uses pop-ups. Instead, turn to reliable help like Support.com for trustworthy advice. Problems with texting or calling can come from many places. It’s key to figure them out with trustworthy help for clear calls and texts.
Understanding Network Issues
It’s really annoying when you can send texts but can’t call anyone. Let’s look at why this happens. We’ll explore reasons like network problems, weak signals, and issues specific to your carrier. Understanding these will help you figure out why calls drop or won’t connect.
Network Outages and Downtimes
Often, dropped calls happen because of network outages. These outages stop you from making calls. But, you might still send texts since they use less data. Check your carrier’s updates to know about any issues or when they’ll be fixed.
Poor Signal Strength
Weak signals also cause call issues. If the signal’s bad, calls might not go through or could drop. But, texts often work fine with a low signal. To fix this, look for a spot with a better signal. Or, restart your phone, try turning data off and on, or use Airplane Mode.
Carrier-Specific Problems
Sometimes, the problem lies with your carrier. They might have restrictions or be doing maintenance that limits calls. Yet, texts could still work. If you think this is your issue, talk to your carrier’s support. They can tell you about any limits or if work is being done in your area.
Device or SIM Card Problems
Problems with texting but not calling often come from the device or SIM card issues. Fixing possible SIM errors and following device troubleshooting steps can make your phone work fully again.
Incorrectly Inserted SIM Card
Putting the SIM card in wrong is a usual problem. It causes errors in connecting to the network. Turn off your device, take out the SIM card, and put it back correctly in its slot. Then, turn on your phone. This might fix the network issue.
Faulty or Damaged SIM Card
A bad or damaged SIM card might not connect well with the network. This can lead to being able to text but not call. If the SIM card looks damaged or it’s old, think about getting a new one. Trying the SIM in a different phone can tell you if the SIM card or the phone is the problem.
Device Hardware Issues
Issues with your phone’s hardware can affect making calls. The microphone, speaker, or circuits could be damaged. This damage could come from drops, water, or just wear and tear. If the SIM card isn’t the issue, have a tech look at your phone for hardware problems. Make sure the settings for Silence Unknown Callers and Call Forwarding are set right. This can help fix network errors and make your phone work better.
Solving these common issues can help fix your phone’s calling function. Keep your phone’s software updated and get expert help if problems don’t go away.
Account or Service Restrictions
When dealing with account or service restrictions, you might find making calls tough while texting stays easy. Knowing why can help you solve the problem. This knowledge is key to fixing any issues you might face.
Parental Controls and Security Settings
Parental controls often limit call features. The option to “Only allow calls & texts from your phone contacts” can be set. This blocks calls and texts from those not in your contacts. Non-contacts are sent to voicemail or blocked.
This feature helps protect kids and lets plan owners control access. After a 911 call, it’s paused for 48 hours letting emergency teams reach out. The Google Fi app lets you see who’s been blocked in the last 60 days. This gives you more control over your plan.
Billing and Account Issues
Unpaid bills can also cause account restrictions. Providers might stop calls but not texts as a warning. Fixing these requires talking directly to your service provider.
State laws may add more call limits. For instance, Kentucky allows telemarketing calls from 10 am to 9 pm. But, Florida and Maine have tougher rules about call times and emergencies. Some states even ban calls during emergencies.
Plan owners can see and handle these restrictions. Checking with your carrier can help you understand and manage them better.
Software and Configuration Issues
To keep your phone working perfectly for calls and texts, it’s important to tackle software and configuration problems. Ignoring software updates or wrong settings can cause call issues but not affect texts. Here are some main points to look at:
Outdated Software
If your software is old, your phone might not work well. Not having the latest updates can introduce bugs that affect calls. Always check for updates to keep your phone running smoothly and avoid problems.
Misconfigured Settings
Settings that are set up wrong can also lead to trouble. If vital settings are changed, your calls might not go through. Making sure your phone isn’t on Airplane mode or that the “Do Not Disturb” settings aren’t blocking calls can fix this. These simple steps can get things back to normal.
Clearing Cache and Data
Stored data conflicts can stop your phone from receiving calls. Clearing your messaging and phone app’s cache and data may fix these problems. This is especially true for errors with messaging apps. Regular cleaning like this keeps your system clear of temporary files that might cause issues.
Fixing these software and configuration issues means your device will work better for both calls and texts. It removes tech problems so your phone can perform at its best.
Why Can I Text but Not Call?
Wondering why texting works but calling doesn’t can be confusing. It often comes down to what your service plan allows and what your carrier’s rules are. We’ll look at why texts and calls are handled differently and how you can get around these challenges.
Carrier and Service Plan Limitations
Sometimes, you can text but not call because of your carrier or plan limits. For example, some pay-as-you-go or basic plans might let you text a lot but limit how many calls you can make. Carriers may restrict calls, especially for users who watch their minutes closely. Those with regular monthly plans need to pay on time to avoid losing service.
Carriers might even make texts a priority over calls. This means, even when the network is busy or weak, texts might get through when calls can’t.
Texting vs. Calling Protocols
Not able to call but can text? It could be because texts and calls use the network differently. Texting needs less network power and sends messages quickly, so it’s not as affected by network problems or restrictions.
Texts (or SMS) use a special part of the network that doesn’t need as much power, unlike calls. Calls require a lot of network strength the whole time they’re happening. So, they’re more likely to get dropped or not go through if the network is bad.
Knowing how texts and calls work can help you figure out why calls might be failing. If call problems keep happening, check out your plan details or talk to your carrier. They might have better options for calling.
Conclusion
Understanding why texting works but calling doesn’t is key. We’ve looked at many reasons, from network problems to device issues. Network issues include outages and weak signals. Device issues could be from a SIM card not put in right or device problems.
Other causes could be software glitches or your account settings. There are also limits set by your phone company. To fix these, keep your device updated. You can use tools like TunesKit iOS System Recovery. It helps with over 150 iOS problems. Staying updated with carrier settings can also avoid network troubles.
If you can’t solve the problem yourself, calling your phone company can help. It’s important to know how texting and calling differ, especially for your phone plan. This knowledge helps you keep your phone working well. By learning these tips, you can solve many issues and keep enjoying your phone.
