Why is there no ringing tone when making calls on my iPhone?

If your iPhone isn't ringing when making or receiving calls, check the following: ensure Silent Mode is off (orange line on the left side), verify the ringer volume isn't muted, and disable Do Not Disturb or Airplane Mode. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown of potential causes and solutions:

1. Check Silent Mode:

• The silent mode switch is located on the left side of your iPhone.
• If you see an orange line, silent mode is on, and all calls and notifications are silenced.
• Simply flip the switch to turn off silent mode, and your iPhone should start ringing again. 

2. Verify Ringer Volume:

• Go to Settings > Sound and Haptics. 
• Make sure the Ringer Volume is not set to zero. 
• You can also check the volume by making a call and pressing the volume rocker on the side of your phone. 

3. Disable Do Not Disturb or Airplane Mode:

• Do Not Disturb silences all notifications, and Airplane Mode disables all wireless connections, including phone calls.
• Go to Settings and toggle off Do Not Disturb and Airplane Mode. 

4. Other Potential Issues and Solutions:

• Call Forwarding:
• If you have call forwarding enabled, incoming calls might be redirected to another number, and you won't hear the ringtone on your iPhone. Go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and disable it if necessary. 
• Wi-Fi Calling:
• If you're using Wi-Fi calling, ensure it's enabled and that your iPhone has a strong Wi-Fi connection. 
• Bluetooth Devices:
• If you have a Bluetooth device connected, try disconnecting it and see if that resolves the issue.
• Restart your iPhone:
• A simple restart can sometimes resolve software glitches.
• Check for Carrier Settings Update:
• Go to Settings > General > About and check for any carrier settings updates.
• Reset Network Settings:
• If none of the above solutions work, you can try resetting network settings. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
• Check for Custom Contact Ringtones:
• If you have custom ringtones assigned to specific contacts, ensure they are set correctly.
• Check for a Physical Issue:
• If none of the above solutions work, there may be a physical issue with your iPhone's speaker or other hardware. You may need to contact Apple Support or a qualified repair technician.

miizzkriissy wrote:

HAVE YOU HAD THIS ISSUES BEFORE?

It's a carrier issue. It doesn't matter if razmee209 (or I) have ever had the problem. The solution is the same: contact your carrier.

For the record, I don't recall that it has happened to me but it does happen occasionally. And please stop shouting.

addaloria wrote:

I am also very recently having this issue. The other persons phone is ringing but it is silent on my end until the call connects.

Its bothersome because that used to indicate I was about to have a failed call, and if it goes to VM, I’m not sure if the other person can see a missed call or I just rolled into their VM.

From Lawrence Finch's post earlier in this thread:

With the advent of landline internet call routing (cable or fiber) and cellular, it is really meaningless, and some carriers have stopped providing this archaic service. But that decision is made by the carrier for the party you are calling, not your carrier.

The ringing sound is a holdover from early phone systems, circa 1940’s, when all calls went over copper wires connected by operators, or later by mechanical relay switches, and its purpose was to signify that you were actually connected to central office that served the number you were calling. (You might also hear a busy signal, or a “reorder” or fast busy, meaning that the network was overloaded and had no capacity to handle your call.) The sound actually came from the central office at the receiving end. It carried over into ESS (Electronic Switching Systems)in the 1980’s as a legacy feature, simply because people expected it; there was no technical reason for it. (Just like we say we are “dialing” a number, when no one born after 1980 has ever actually “dialed” a phone).

With the advent of landline internet call routing (cable or fiber) and cellular, it is really meaningless, and some carriers have stopped providing this archaic service. But that decision is made by the carrier for the party you are calling, not your carrier.

AlWeir wrote:

• If your iPhone isn't ringing when making or receiving calls, check the following: ensure Silent Mode is off (orange line on the left side), verify the ringer volume isn't muted, and disable Do Not Disturb or Airplane Mode. 

Their phone is ringing. They are not hearing the ringing noise when they place a call.

miizzkriissy wrote:

It honestly was only happening when I would call my boyfriend and friends phone. But it is working now. So far no more issue :)

It is up to the telephone carrier or cellular carrier of the person you are calling whether they will plan the ringing sound. It is not controlled by your carrier, and has nothing to do with your iPhone.

addaloria wrote:

IDK, doesn’t seem correct that every single person I call all decided to remove my ability to hear a phone ring during my phone calling them all at once on the same day.

Also, doesn’t explain why it’s happening when I call the other 3 people on my phone plan who did nothing to alter this and use the same carrier as me and don’t have this change.

Who said anything about every single person? It has nothing to do with people. It is THE CARRIER THAT THOSE SINGLE PERSONS USE (not YOUR carrier) WHO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO SEND A RING SIDETONE.

miizzkriissy wrote:

when I make a call to anyone I can't hear the ringing tone, it's just quiet until I hear them say hello or their voicemail comes on. has this happened to anyone else

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

you can report it to your phone carrier.

miizzkriissy wrote:

OK I WASN'T STATING IF HE'S HAD THAT ISSUE BEFORE TO KNOW FOR SURE IF IT'S THE CARRIER OR NOT I WAS JUST SIMPLY ASKING! NOBODY I KNOW HAS HAD THAT ISSUE. SO PLEASE

Please stop typing all in caps. It's considered shouting and therefore not polite. It's also hard to read.

As I said above, "I don't recall that it has happened to me but it does happen occasionally."

I am also very recently having this issue. The other persons phone is ringing but it is silent on my end until the call connects.

Its bothersome because that used to indicate I was about to have a failed call, and if it goes to VM, I’m not sure if the other person can see a missed call or I just rolled into their VM.

IDK, doesn’t seem correct that every single person I call all decided to remove my ability to hear a phone ring during my phone calling them all at once on the same day.

Also, doesn’t explain why it’s happening when I call the other 3 people on my phone plan who did nothing to alter this and use the same carrier as me and don’t have this change.