Call failed error or being unable to make calls but can receive incoming calls and messages on an iPhone. This is just one of the many problems affecting several users of prior iPhone variants. And for some reasons, this is now becoming one of the first few issues reported by some owners of the new iPhone 7.
The call failed error usually occurs when you’re trying to make an outgoing call but the call won’t go through. It can also happen randomly while in the middle of a conversation, thus resulting to dropping calls. Weak or poor signal are likely to blame in this case but there are also other factors that can trigger the same problem to occur on your new iPhone. A bad SIM card for instance, can also prompt you with the same iPhone error while trying to make outgoing calls. Software bugs including those that comes with major iOS updates can also affect your iPhone’s outgoing call features.
Having trouble making a phone call can be really annoying especially when you need to call an important person at that very moment. And just like any other issues, you must be hankering to get rid of this error and resolve the underlying cause as soon as possible.
Should this be the reason why you’re reading this post, then you should keep reading to learn how to fix an annoying call failed error that is preventing your new iPhone 7 from making outgoing calls.
Before going any further though, if you have other concerns with your new iPhone, make sure you drop by our iPhone 7 troubleshooting page for we have already started supporting the device. Moreover, if you need further assistance, you can always contact us by completing our iPhone issues questionnaire and providing us with sufficient information about the problem.
How to fix call failed error or outgoing problems on your iPhone 7?
The best way to start is by doing a soft reset or just restarting your iPhone 7 the usual way. For starters, a soft reset or iPhone 7 restart is done by, pressing and holding the Sleep/Wake button until the power off slider appears. After that, drag that slider to power off your iPhone completely. Wait for 30 seconds, and then press and hold the Sleep/Wake button again until the Apple logo appears.
After the restart, perform a test call to see if it’s already working fine. If not, then proceed with any of the following methods.
Step 1. Verify your account status.
Some carriers would impose a soft disconnect to delinquent accounts or disable outgoing services for due to account-related issues including past dues or unpaid bills. In this regard, contact your carrier and verify that your account is in good standing and the status is active. You may also request your carrier to further check your iPhone, ensure that it is not blocked from receiving cellular services, and that it is set up with the correct data plan. Also verify with your carrier if your account is properly configured to your new iPhone device, and also ensure that there are no on-going outages affecting network services in your area. Please note that only your wireless carrier can access and manage details on your account, so be sure to contact them first for this matter.
Step 2. Toggle Airplane Mode on and off. For some reasons, other iPhone users were able to fix the same problem in making outgoing calls by toggling the Airplane mode switch on and off can also help in getting rid of the call failed error and allows you to make outgoing calls afterwards. If you want to give this trick a try on your end, then go to Settings-> Airplane-> switch it on for five seconds and then turn it off again.
Step 3. Remove and re-insert SIM card.
As mentioned earlier, a bad SIM card can also cause you the same problem with outgoing calls on your iPhone. It can be that the SIM card is damaged or just needs to be properly secured. To ensure this is not causing the call failed error on your end, you can follow these steps to remove and re-insert the SIM card on your iPhone 7:
- Turn off your iPhone completely. Make sure it is powered off.
- Locate the SIM card tray, from the right edge of the iPhone.
- Unlock the tray by inserting the SIM eject tool or a paperclip into the slot provided.
- Insert the SIM card into the SIM card tray. The gold contacts must be facing down.
- Insert the SIM card tray by pressing in on the tray to lock it into place.
After re-inserting and securing the SIM card, turn your iPhone back on and then try to make a test call to see if it’s now working fine and the call failed error is gone.
Step 4. Reset Network Settings.
If you have recently made changes to your network settings, then more likely it has something to do with the called error or outgoing call problem on your device. To eliminate this among the potential culprits, you can reset your network settings by going to Settings-> General-> Reset-> Reset Network Settings.
Doing so will erase all current saved settings including Wi-Fi passwords, preferred networks, and VPN settings. Thus if you made some incorrect changes to any of these options, those will also be erased.
Also make sure that you are trying to make a call in an area with cellular network coverage. In case you cannot connect to a cellular network on your iPhone, make sure cellular data is turned on. To check on it, go to Settings-> Cellular.
Step 5. Restore your iPhone and set it up as new.
If all else has failed to fix the problem and still you are unable to make outgoing calls with your new iPhone 7, then you should now consider restoring your device back to its factory default settings. This way can help eliminate any software glitches that are tough enough to be eradicated by prior solutions. However, you should back up your device before you start doing so. This is because when you restore your iPhone to factory settings all your contents will be erased from your device including all your personal information and customizations. After you’ve created the backup, you may proceed with these steps:
- Connect your iPhone to a computer (Windows or Mac) with the latest version of iTunes installed. You can use the USB cable that came with your iPhone.
- On your computer, open iTunes.
- Enter your device passcode if necessary or click on the option to Trust This Computer and then follow the onscreen instructions.
- Look for your iPhone 7 from the list of available devices in iTunes. Select your iPhone by clicking on its name from the list.
- Go to the Summary panel in iTunes and then click on Restore [device name].
- Click Restore again to confirm action.
After that, iTunes will begin to erase your iPhone and then installs the latest iOS software for your device. Your iPhone will then restart once the system restores to factory settings. By then you can set your device as new.
If you cannot restore your iPhone through iTunes, then you can just use the Settings menu to erase your device instead.
- To do so, go to your iPhone Settings-> General->Reset->Erase All Content and Settings. That should wipe your iPhone and restore to its default settings afterwards.
Other Helpful Recommendations to fix call failed error on your new iPhone 7
- If you are using a third-party casing or accessory, try removing it to ensure that it’s not interfering with the network signal strength.
- Check for any blocked numbers and make sure the number you are attempting to call is not in the blocked list. To check for blocked numbers on your iPhone 7, head over to Settings-> Phone-> Call Blocking & Identification, and then search the blocked listed numbers. A phone number can be blocked through the Phone, FaceTime, and Messages apps on your iPhone.
To manage blocked numbers via Phone app:
- Go to Settings-> Phone-> Call Blocking & Identification.
To manage blocked numbers via FaceTime app:
- Go to Settings-> FaceTime-> Blocked.
To manage blocked numbers via Messages app:
- Go to Settings-> Messages-> Blocked.
- You can block or unblock phone numbers from these screens. To unblock a phone number from the Blocked list, tap Edit on the upper-right corner, tap the (unblock icon) or a red circle with – sign inside, and then tap Unblock to confirm action. Now try to call that number again.
- Update carrier settings. Updating your iPhone’s carrier settings manually might also be able to fix outgoing call issues as manifested by a call failed error. To check if a carrier settings update is available, go to Settings-> General-> About. If a carrier settings update is available, you will be prompted to install. To view the current version of carrier settings on your device, go to Settings-> General-> About and then look next to Carrier. That information should be there. Make sure your iPhone is connected to the Internet and that the network is stable to proceed with the carrier settings update installation.
- Note: You need to download the carrier settings for your new carrier if ever you insert or use a new SIM card into your iPhone.
- Try disabling LTE. While LTE is required for faster Internet connection, sometimes enabling this feature can trigger some issues to arise on your iPhone including called failed error. To make sure this is not causing you this trouble, go to Settings-> Cellular-> Cellular Data Options-> and then try enabling 3G, 4G, or other network bands supported by your carrier. You can also try to make calls in another location.
Contact Apple Support for further assistance
If none of these recommended solutions is able to fix the outgoing call problem or call failed error you have with your iPhone 7, then you should now contact Apple Support to escalate the issue and request for further support or other options. This must be done especially if the problem is triggered by a major software update or happens after installing the latest iOS version for your iPhone. That way, it will be tagged among other issues to be addressed in the next iOS update rollout.
Connect with Us
If you need more help with the use of certain functions and features of the new Apple iPhone 7 smartphone, feel free to visit our Tutorial Page. There you can find a list of how-to contents, step-by-step tutorials, as well as answers to FAQs regarding iPhone 7. If you have other concerns or encountered some troubles while using the phone, you can reach us through this form. Just be sure to tell us more details of the problem or device issue(s) you may have and we will be more than happy to assist you further.