iPhone X Can’t Make Calls After iOS Update? Here’s How to Fix It

Some iPhone X users have found themselves unable to make outgoing calls after updating to iOS 13.2.3 or later. If you’re stuck with a phone that won’t connect to a call despite having a signal, this guide will walk you through all the practical ways to troubleshoot the problem and get calling features back up and running.

1. Restart Your iPhone X

A quick reboot can often clear temporary glitches caused by the iOS update.

Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button until you see the power slider.
Drag the slider to power off.
Wait 30 seconds, then hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.

After restarting, try placing a call to see if the issue is gone.

2. Turn Airplane Mode On and Off

This is a quick trick to refresh your phone’s network connection.

Go to Settings > Airplane Mode.
Turn Airplane Mode on, wait 10–15 seconds, then turn it off again.
Let your phone reconnect to the network, then test by making a call.

3. Remove and Reinsert the SIM Card

A poorly seated or dirty SIM card can interfere with your phone’s ability to make calls.

Power off your iPhone.
Use a SIM eject tool (or paperclip) to pop out the SIM tray.
Remove the SIM card and check for dust, scratches, or corrosion.
Gently wipe it off and reinsert it properly.
Power your phone back on and test with a call.

4. Check for Carrier Settings Update

Outdated or missing carrier settings can cause call issues.

Connect to Wi-Fi.
Go to Settings > General > About.
Wait on this screen for a few seconds—if an update is available, you’ll get a prompt.
Tap Update (or OK if it’s auto-installed).

Restart your iPhone after installing and try making a call again.

5. Reset Network Settings

This will erase all saved Wi-Fi passwords and cellular settings, but can fix misconfigured network options.

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
Tap Reset Network Settings.
Enter your passcode and confirm.

After your iPhone reboots, reconnect to Wi-Fi and test the call feature again.

6. Factory Reset as a Last Resort

If nothing else works, a full reset might be needed to eliminate stubborn bugs introduced by the update.

⚠️ Back up your data before doing this—everything will be erased.

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
Enter your passcode, confirm, and let the process complete.

Once the phone reboots, set it up as new and test the call function before restoring from backup.

Still Can’t Make Calls?

If you’re still unable to place calls after trying all the fixes above:

Contact your carrier to check for outages or account issues (like a suspension or unpaid bill).
Reach out to Apple Support to report the issue—especially if it only started after a specific iOS update.