Call Failed message
What causes my iPhone 8SE to repeatedly show Call Failed when attempting to make calls?
iPhone SE, iOS 15
Question marked as
User profile for user:
Jeff_W.
User level:
Community Specialist
Hi there 7pete,
If you're unable to make phone calls on your iPhone, you'll want to make sure you worked through all the suggested steps in the related article linked in blue at the top left corner of this page:
Contact your carrier
When you contact your carrier, make sure that:
- Your account is set up to use your iPhone.
- There aren't any localized service outages.
- Your account doesn't have a billing-related block.
- Your calls don't have errors on the carrier system.
Update your software
1. Check for a carrier settings update.
2. Check for an iOS software update. Some updates might require a Wi-Fi connection.
Check your iPhone settings
1. Turn Airplane Mode on and off. Go to Settings and turn on Airplane Mode, wait five seconds, then turn it off.
2. Check Do Not Disturb. Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and make sure it's off.
3. Check for any blocked phone numbers. Go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts.
4. See if Call Forwarding is turned on. Go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and make sure it's off.
5. Check to see if Silence Unknown Callers is turned on. If the setting is on, a caller must be listed in your Contacts or Recents. Or they must have shared their number in Mail or sent you a message using that number in order for their call to go through. Add their number to Contacts to ensure the phone rings. Calls from some third-party apps might not go through.
Check your network settings
1. Reset your network settings. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will erase all current saved settings, including Wi-Fi passwords, preferred networks, and VPN settings.
2. Try to make or receive calls in another location.
If you tried all those steps, including contacting your wireless carrier, and the issue persists, the next best step is to reach out to Apple Support directly for more guidance. They're best-equipped to take a closer look and provide some steps to try. This link will help you get started: Contact - Official Apple Support
Take care.