How To fix iPhone X That Cannot Make Phone Calls

After the successive iOS updates, Apple still fails to provide bug-free system. In fact, with iOS 13.2.3, many users are very much disappointed because of the new post-update errors the latest iOS very has brought them. A lot of users reported that they cannot make phone calls from their iPhone after the new system implementation. In line with this, we have mapped out potential solutions that can fix the outgoing calls issue on iPhone X device. If you are among the unfortunate users who bumped in to this very frustrating issue, read on and learn how to address the problem.

Possible triggers for cannot make phone calls issue to become visible

There are a lot of factors that can trigger your phone not to be able to make phone calls. One of which is being out from the signal coverage. Whenever your phone is out of network coverage, it loses its signal and therefore, calling and texting functions will automatically be suspended. But it signal strength is good and still you cannot make phone calls, minor software glitches, network-related errors, and iOS bugs as more likely to be blamed. To eliminate these triggers and resume the outbound calling function on your iPhone X device, check out the solutions that we have mapped out below.

First solution: Reboot (soft reset) your iPhone X

Sometimes, a plain restart is all you need to fix the cannot make phone calls issue on your iOS device. This reset will eliminate glitches affecting your phone’s system, thereof giving your phone a clean start. To get this done, follow these steps:

  1. Press and hold the Side/Power button and either Volume buttons simultaneously until the Slide to Power Off command appears on the screen.
  2. Then drag the power off slider to the right to turn off your phone.
  3. Wait for 30 seconds, then press and hold the Side/Power button again until the Apple logo appears.

Your phone will then re-establish its connection. Then make a test call and see if you are already able to make a phone call.

Second solution: Turn the Airplane Mode on and off again

Network-related errors are among the known factors as to why phone calling issues emerge. If your iPhone X still cannot make phone calls after giving it a quick restart, try refreshing your network connection by turning the Airplane Mode on and then off again. This tweak is known to fix various phone issues, so might as well give it a try. Here is how:

  1. Go to Settings from Home.
  2. Select Airplane Mode.
  3. Toggle the switch to enable the feature. Doing so will temporarily suspend your phone’s wireless radios including the cellular network.
  4. While the Airplane Mode is on, restart (soft reset) your iPhone X.
  5. Then head back to Settings->Airplane Mode and toggle the switch to turn the feature off.

The signal transmission will then resumed, restoring your phone’s wireless radios and services. Once your phone is showing stable signal, make a call from your phone and see if the problem is already fixed. If not, try the next solution.

Third solution: Uninstall and then reinstall SIM card to fix iPhone X that cannot make phone calls

SIM card errors can also be the underlying cause. Normally, your phone will show a SIM card error message in the event that your SIM card becomes defective. But there are times that the phone’s functions will simply start to fail, and this can also be an indication that there’s something wrong with the SIM card. To rule this out, remove the SIM card from your phone and check for possible scratches or physical damages. Dust, debris, and corrosion can also lead for the SIM card to malfunction, which will then affect your phone’s performance. Here is what you need to do:

  1. Turn off your iPhone X.
  2. Insert the SIM eject tool or a paper clip into a small hole beside the SIM tray until the tray pops out.
  3. Gently remove the SIM tray from the compartment and get the SIM card.
  4. Check the SIM card for possible scratches and dirt.
  5. If your SIM card is in good condition, put it back on the SIM tray and make sure that it is properly seated.
  6. Slowly push the SIM tray into the compartment until it is locked up.

Then turn your phone back on and wait until it acquires enough signal from the network. Dial out a number from your phone and see if it will be successful. If the call fails, move on to the next troubleshooting procedure.

Fourth solution: Check for and install carrier settings update

iOS devices received different updates from the network which is called a carrier settings update. The update is designed to enhance the phone’s network connectivity performance and fix current network issues. Whenever a carrier rolled out an update, users will receive an update notification on their phones. There are also times that the update is done automatically, especially if it is a mandatory update. If you haven’t received any notifications to update carrier settings on your phone for quite some time, try to manually check and install when available. Here is how:

  1. Open the Settings app from the Home screen.
  2. Select General.
  3. Tap About. An update notification will pop-up when an update is available.
  4. Follow on-screen prompts to install the carrier settings update.

After installing the carrier settings update, restart (soft reset) your iPhone X for proper network settings update implementation. Then make a test call from your phone. If you are still unable to make phone calls after installing the carrier settings update, try to reset the network settings on your device. See the next solution and know how reset network settings is done.

Fifth solution: Reset network settings to fix iPhone X that cannot make phone calls

Often times, iOS update automatically overrides the phone’s current settings. When this happened, phone functions are getting interrupted. To clear out possible misconfigured values and options, delete all saved passwords, preferred network settings, and/or VPN settings on your phone by performing a reset network settings. You may need to jot down necessary information like Wi-Fi password as you will need this information to set-up the Wi-Fi network again. Once ready, follow the steps below to delete all saved passwords on your device:

  1. Go to Settings from Home.
  2. Select General.
  3. Scroll to and select Reset.
  4. Then select Reset network settings.
  5. If prompted, enter your device passcode and continue.
  6. Then select the option to confirm the reset.

Your phone will reboot by itself once the reset is done and loads the default network settings. Once the phone is completely up, proceed to set up your Wi-Fi network again and enable other necessary features. Then try to make a call from your phone. If you still cannot make phone calls, you may opt to wipe everything from your phone’s memory to clear out possible iOS bugs affecting your phone’s network system.

Last option: Perform a factory reset on your iPhone

It is possible that you are dealing with tough bugs as the basics failed to fix the calling problem on your device. In case the iOS update indeed brought this complex bugs and inflicted your phone’s system, this can possibly be cleared out by doing a factory reset. Note that this process not only wipe possible iOS bugs or major software glitches but as well as the critical files saved in your phone’s internal memory. Which means you need to back up these files beforehand. Once the files have been secured, you may start restoring your phone to factory default settings. Here is how:

  1. From Home, open the Settings app.
  2. Select General.
  3. Scroll down to and tap Reset.
  4. Select option to Erase all content and settings.
  5. If prompted, enter your device passcode and then continue.
  6. Then select the option to confirm full system reset.

Your phone will reboot automatically after the reset. Once you are prompted with the start-up wizard, follow the prompts to set up your phone as new again. Make sure to check if the calling features including the outgoing calls are already working as intended.

Is your iPhone X still cannot make phone calls

It rarely happens that calling problems still persist after doing a master reset. But if you’ve reached this far and still fails to fix the cannot make phone calls problem on your iPhone X device, might as well escalate the issue. Outages affecting your area and account suspension can also be the underlying causes. To verify the status of your account and check for on-going outages, contact your service provider. You can also forward the issue to Apple Support and ask for recommendations.

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