Why Do My Calls Keep Failing? Common Causes & Fixes

You dial the number. 
It rings. 
Then suddenly… call failed. 

No explanation. No mercy. Just your phone acting brand new and useless at the same time. 

If you’re sat there thinking why do my calls keep failing, trust me, you’re not cursed. This is one of the most common phone issues in the UK, and yeah, it’s proper annoying. Especially when you’re calling family abroad, sorting work stuff, or just trying to chat without your phone taking the mick. 

Let’s break it down in plain English. What “call failed” actually means, why it keeps happening, and how to get your calls sorted without smashing your phone against the sofa. 

What Does “Call Failed” Mean? 

When your phone says call failed, it’s basically saying: 
“I tried. Something went wrong. Figure it out yourself.” 

Helpful, right? 

In reality, it means your phone couldn’t connect to the network properly, or it connected and then lost the signal halfway through. It can happen: 

• Before the call even rings 
• While it’s ringing 
• Mid-call when you’re deep in the convo 

User story – Jess, 23, Cardiff 
Jess tried calling her mum five times in a row. Every time, call failed. Turns out her phone was clinging to one bar of signal like it was fighting for its life. She stepped outside, boom, call connected instantly. 

Common Reasons Why Calls Keep Failing 

There’s rarely one single reason. It’s usually a combo of signal issues, SIM problems, phone settings, or account stuff quietly causing chaos. 

Let’s get into the usual suspects. 

Poor Network Signal 

This one’s the main villain. 

If your signal is weak or jumping around, calls struggle. That’s when drop calling happens, where calls connect but then randomly cut off like the phone’s bored. 

You’ll notice this more when: 

• You’re on the Tube or a moving train 
• Inside lifts, basements, or thick old buildings 
• Travelling through rural areas 
• Walking around while the phone switches between 4G and 5G 

User story – Ryan, 31, London 
Ryan’s calls always failed during his commute. Underground? Forget it. He stopped calling on the move and waited till he was above ground or used Wi-Fi calling. Stress levels dropped instantly. 

SIM Card or Carrier Issues 

This happens if: 

Sometimes it’s not your phone being dramatic. It’s the SIM. 

• Your SIM is old or slightly damaged 
• It’s not sitting properly in the tray 
• Your carrier is doing maintenance 
• Your SIM just needs a network refresh 

Pulling the SIM out and putting it back in sounds basic, but it fixes more problems than people like to admit. 

User story – Ayesha, 26, Leicester 
Ayesha’s calls kept failing randomly. She popped her SIM out, gave it a wipe, restarted her phone, and suddenly everything worked again. Felt silly. Also felt relieved. 

Phone Software or Settings Problems 

Phones are basically tiny computers now, and computers love chaos. 

Outdated software, buggy updates, or weird settings can all cause call failed messages. 

Common issues include: 

• iOS or Android not being updated 
• Network settings getting corrupted 
• VoLTE or Wi-Fi calling acting up 
• Switching phones without resetting settings 

User story – Ben, 29, Reading 
Ben upgraded his phone and didn’t reset anything. Calls kept dropping. One network reset later and his phone was back to behaving like a phone. 

Account Issues: Billing Problems or Service Suspension 

This one hurts because it’s so boring. 

If you’ve got: 

• Expired credit 
• A missed payment 
• Temporary suspension 
• Roaming blocks 

Your calls might fail instantly without warning. 

Always worth checking your account before blaming the phone. 

Call Dropping During Conversations (Drop Calling) 

Drop calling is when the call starts fine, then randomly dies mid-sentence. Usually right when you’re saying something important. 

This happens because: 

• Signal strength changes as you move 
• Network congestion 
• Switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data 
• International call routing issues 

User story – Farhan, 34, Luton 
Farhan’s international calls dropped every time he walked around the house. Turns out his Wi-Fi was weak and his phone kept switching. He forced mobile data for calls and the drops stopped. 

Why Are My Calls Failing on iPhone? 

If you’re Googling call failed iPhone, you’re in good company. 

iPhones are solid, but they’re not immune. Common iPhone issues include: 

• iOS bugs after updates 
• Carrier settings not updating automatically 
• Wi-Fi calling glitches 
• Network settings getting confused 

Most of the time, it’s fixable without going to Apple like your phone’s dying. 

How to Fix Call Failed and Dropped Calls 

Let’s get practical. 

Quick Troubleshooting Steps 

Do these first. They’re boring but effective. 

• Restart your phone 
• Turn Airplane Mode on for 30 seconds, then off 
• Toggle mobile data off and on 
• Try calling a different number 
• Take the SIM out and put it back in 

Low effort, high reward. 

Network-Related Fixes 

If signal is the issue: 

• Move to a better coverage area 
• Avoid calling while travelling fast 
• Turn Wi-Fi calling off if Wi-Fi is weak 
• Check for network outages 

Weak Wi-Fi + Wi-Fi calling = dropped calls. Mobile data is often more stable. 

Software & Device Fixes 

If it’s still acting up: 

• Update your phone software 
• Update carrier settings 
• Reset network settings 
• Check VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling options 

Resetting network settings won’t delete your stuff. It just clears the tech mess. 

Using Talk Home Services to Avoid Call Failures 

Sometimes the fix isn’t your phone. It’s how you’re making the call. 

How the Talk Home App Helps Reduce Call Failed Issues 

The Talk Home App lets you make cheap international calls using mobile data or Wi-Fi instead of relying purely on traditional call routing. 

Why that helps: 

• More stable connections 
• Less reliance on weak signal bars 
• Clear pricing 
• Better reliability for international calls 

User story – Sana, 27, Manchester 
Sana’s calls abroad kept failing on regular calling. She switched to using the Talk Home App over mobile data and suddenly calls stopped dropping. Same phone, different method, problem solved. 

How Talk Home Mobile Data Improves Call Reliability 

Strong data makes a massive difference. 

With Talk Home Mobile: 

• Data-based calls stay more stable 
• Coverage is solid across the UK 
• No mid-contract price hikes 
• SIM only deals keep things flexible 

Better data = fewer call failures. Simple maths. 

How to Prevent Call Failures in the Future 

You can’t stop every issue, but you can reduce the madness. 

A few habits help: 

• Keep software updated 
• Restart your phone occasionally 
• Avoid calling in known dead zones 
• Use mobile data if Wi-Fi is shaky 
• Don’t ignore SIM issues 

User story – Chloe, 30, Nottingham 
Chloe used to get call failed errors weekly. She stopped using dodgy public Wi-Fi for calls and stuck to mobile data. The problem basically vanished. 

Conclusion 

So, why do my calls keep failing? 

Most of the time, it’s not your phone being broken. It’s signal issues, settings problems, or the network having a moment. 

The good news? Most fixes are simple, and switching to data-based calling can make a massive difference. 

Once things are set up right, calls should just work. No drama. No stress. No “call failed” ruining your mood. 

Frequently Asked Questions