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Published on: 04.03.2024 | updated on: 02.04.2024
Is your Apple iPhone not ringing upon receiving notifications or calls? This is a common issue iPhone users face, but thankfully, it can easily be resolved by following a few troubleshooting steps. In this article, we have compiled some of the most common issues related to iPhone not ringing and what steps you can take to fix it.
There can be many reasons why your iPhone is not ringing anymore. It can be on silent mode, or Do Not Disturb may be turned on. You can fix this issue by changing these settings. If these tricks don’t work, then there may be a serious issue with your iPhone, such as damage to the volume button or damage to the speaker. In case of hardware damage, take your iPhone to a reliable repair store in your area.
Here are the reasons behind your iPhone not ringing:
Your iPhone is set on silent mode, which is why it’s not ringing.
The Do Not Disturb feature is turned on.
Your iPhone might be connected to a Bluetooth device such as airpods.
The ringer volume is low or set on mute.
There may be a software glitch that is affecting the ringing.
If your iPhone is not ringing, here are several troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue:
Ensure the Silent Mode on the side of your iPhone is switched off.
Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and make sure that Do Not Disturb mode is turned off.
If your iPhone is connected to a Bluetooth device, turn it off from Settings > Bluetooth.
Restart your iPhone as it may resolve the issue.
Ensure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS.
If none of the above solutions work, reset all settings. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings.
Here is what you need to know about why your iPhone is not ringing on incoming calls:
Your phone might be on silent, or the ringer volume might be turned down.
You might have enabled "Do Not Disturb," which automatically silences any incoming calls.
Your phone is connected to a Bluetooth device.
There may be a software glitch affecting the sound.
The contact may be blocked.
If your iPhone ringer is not working and the volume is on, the speaker may be damaged.
Here is how you can fix your iPhone that is not ringing when calling:
First, check the speakers for dust or debris and thoroughly clean them with a soft-bristle brush.
Disconnect Bluetooth.
Check for any software updates and update to the latest version.
Restart your iPhone by pressing and holding the power and volume up buttons until the Apple logo appears.
Ensure the contact is not blocked.
Check the silent switch on the top left part of the device and check whether the device is silenced or not.
Turn off "Do Not Disturb" if it is on.
Below are the reasons why the ringer on your iPhone is not working:
Ensure the silent mode switch on the side of your iPhone is not activated.
The ringer volume might be turned down.
Check if "Do Not Disturb" is turned on from the Control Center or in Settings under "Focus" or "Do Not Disturb."
There may be a software glitch.
The speakers may be damaged.
Your phone may be connected to a nearby Bluetooth device.
Follow these steps to fix the ringer on your iPhone that is not ringing:
Clean the speakers and check if the audio is now playing.
Press the volume-up button on the side of your iPhone to increase the ringer volume.
Turn off “Change with Buttons” by going to Settings > Sound and Haptics.
Disconnect any Bluetooth devices and check if sound plays through the iPhone speakers.
Turn off “Focus” or “Do Not Disturb".
Check for a software update from the settings.
Restart your device to fix any software glitches. A factory reset may also be an option, but it will delete all your data.
Here are the reasons why your iPhone is not ringing loud:
You might have reduced the volume accidentally.
Your iPhone might be on silent, Focus, or "Do Not Disturb" mode.
The iPhone is connected to a Bluetooth device or headphones.
The speakers may be malfunctioning.
There may be a software glitch causing the iPhone not to ring appropriately.
Follow these steps to fix your iPhone ringing tone that is not working:
Clean the speaker and verify if the audio is functioning.
Turn off any "Focus" or "Do Not Disturb" settings.
Increase the ringer's volume by pressing the volume-up button on your iPhone's side.
Unpair Bluetooth devices to see if the sound is emitted through the iPhone's speakers.
Look for any available software updates in the settings.
Reboot your device to address potential software issues. Consider a factory reset as a last resort, noting it will erase all data on your device.
Here is why you are not getting ring notifications on your iPhone:
"Do Not Disturb" or Focus mode is Enabled.
The notifications might be turned off for the phone app.
There might be a software bug.
If a Bluetooth device is connected, ring notifications might go to the device instead of your iPhone's speakers.
Here is how you can fix your iPhone that is not getting ring notifications:
Turn off Focus or "Do Not Disturb" mode if they are turned on.
Go to Settings > Notifications > Phone and make sure Allow Notifications is enabled.
Disconnect all Bluetooth devices.
Look for iOS updates and restart your device.
Here is why the WhatsApp calls are not ringing on your iPhone:
The phone might be in Focus, silent, or "Do Not Disturb" mode.
Your phone may not be connected to the WiFi.
There may be a bug in the application.
The speakers may be damaged.
Here is how you can fix the WhatsApp calls not ringing on your iPhone:
Turn off the silent switch and "Do Not Disturb" mode.
Check if there is an active connection between your device and WiFi.
Update the app to the latest version. Uninstall and re-install the application if the calls won't ring on WhatsApp but will ring on other applications,
Check the speakers for damage and get them fixed by a repair store in your area in case of a faulty component.
Here is why your iPhone is not ringing and going straight to voicemail:
If Airplane Mode is active, your phone won’t receive calls.
Call Forwarding is enabled, which forwards your incoming calls to another number.
Poor cellular reception can result in calls going directly to voicemail.
Simple software glitches can cause issues with incoming calls.
Here is how you can fix your iPhone, which is not ringing and goes straight to voicemail:
Make sure the Airplane Mode is not active.
Try removing and reinserting your SIM card, as it might not be seated correctly.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for and install any available updates.
Restart your iPhone to fix any software glitches.
Go to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding and ensure it's turned off.
Here is why the alarm is not ringing on your iPhone:
You might have enabled “change with buttons” in sounds and haptics that have lowered the alarm on iPhone.
The speakers may be damaged.
The ringer and alerts slider in sound and haptics may be lowered.
If headphones are plugged into your iPhone or it's connected to Bluetooth speakers/headphones, the alarm sound might play through them instead of the iPhone's speakers.
Here is how you can fix the alarm not ringing on your iPhone:
Restart your device.
Disable “change with buttons” by going to Settings > Sound & Haptics.
Go to Settings > Sound & Haptics and increase the ringer and alerts slider to full.
Disconnect Bluetooth.
Check speakers for damage and clean them thoroughly.
If the issue persists, get your device checked by a skilled technician.
Here is why your iPhone is not ringing when locked:
If your iPhone is in Silent Mode, it won't ring.
If "Do Not Disturb" or Focus mode is enabled, calls won't ring through.
The caller might be on your blocked list.
Sometimes, a temporary software glitch can cause issues.
If your iPhone is connected to a Bluetooth device, the sound might be routed through it.
The ringer volume might be too low or turned off.
There may be network issues or damage to the speakers.
Here is how you can fix your iPhone that is not ringing when locked:
Ensure the ring/silent switch is not set to silent.
Go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts to see if the caller is blocked.
Restart your iPhone as it may resolve the issue.
Disconnect the Bluetooth and check if the ringing works.
Use the volume buttons to increase the ringer volume.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update to see if there's an update available.
If the issue remains, you can reset all settings by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.
Thoroughly inspect the speakers and get them fixed if they are damaged.
Here are some common reasons why your iPhone is ringing but messages are not delivering:
iMessage may not send if your iPhone is not connected to the wifi.
Similarly, there might be network issues due to which SMS is not delivering.
The recipient may have blocked your number, or you may have blocked the contact.
There may be a software glitch.
Here is how you can fix your iPhone that is ringing but messages are not delivering:
Ensure you have a stable internet connection for iMessage or an adequate cellular signal for SMS/MMS.
Reboot your iPhone as a temporary fix.
Go to Settings > Messages and turn iMessage off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
Verify if the issue is only with one contact or all contacts, as the problem might be on the recipient's end.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.
Here is why your iPhone does not ring for certain calls on the iPhone:
If your phone is on silent mode or "Do Not Disturb," the calls won't ring.
Calls from numbers you've blocked will not ring.
If call forwarding is enabled, calls might be directed elsewhere.
There might be a software glitch.
If connected to a Bluetooth device, calls might ring through that device instead of the iPhone's speakers.
There may be a network issue leading to poor cellular reception.
Here is how you can fix your iPhone that does not ring sometimes:
Ensure the ring/silent switch isn't set to silent.
Turn off the “Do Not Disturb” settings in Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb.
Go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts to see if you've accidentally blocked the caller.
Disable call Forwarding by going to Settings > Phone > Call Forwarding to make sure it's turned off.
Restart your iPhone to resolve temporary software glitches.
Disconnect the Bluetooth.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.
If the issue remains, perform a factory reset or take your device to a reliable repair shop.
Here is why your iPhone is not ringing but saying missed call:
Your phone might be on Silent Mode.
The Ringer and Alerts volume might have been accidentally lowered.
"Do Not Disturb" or Focus mode might have been enabled, causing calls not to ring.
There may be network issues.
Your device may be connected to a different Bluetooth device.
Here is how you can fix your iPhone that is not ringing but saying missed call:
Check the ring/silent switch on the side of your iPhone and disable silent mode.
Move to a location with better cellular reception or reset your network settings by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Turn off Bluetooth from the Control Center or manually disconnect devices.
Make sure the ringer volume is turned up by going to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and dragging the Ringer and Alerts slider to the right.
Here is why your iPhone is not ringing for texts:
"Do Not Disturb" or Focus mode is activated, which automatically silences all notifications, including texts.
The volume for alerts and ringtones might be too low or turned off.
Your device is connected to an external Bluetooth device.
Notifications for messages might be turned off.
Here is how you can fix your iPhone that is not ringing for texts:
Turn off the “Do Not Disturb” under the settings.
Make sure the ring/silent switch is not set to silent.
Use the volume buttons to increase the volume. Also, check Settings > Sounds & Haptics to adjust the Ringer and Alerts slider.
If using a Bluetooth device, disconnect it by turning off Bluetooth.
Go to Settings > Notifications > Messages, make sure "Allow Notifications" is on, and adjust the sounds and alert styles to your preference.
Here is why your Apple watch is ringing but not your iPhone:
Your iPhone might be set to Silent Mode, which would prevent it from ringing.
If "Do Not Disturb" or a specific Focus mode is active on your iPhone, it won't ring for incoming calls, but your Apple Watch still might.
Here is how to fix your Apple watch that is ringing but not your iPhone:
Disable the silent mode through the ringer button on the top left of the device.
Turn off "Do Not Disturb" or Focus modes either through the control center or through the settings.
Ensure your iPhone and Apple Watch are correctly connected via Bluetooth.
If your iPhone 11 isn't ringing, it could be due to several factors, such as Silent Mode or Do Not Disturb turned on or the ringer volume is set too low. Review these settings and make sure they’re turned off, and also disconnect the device from the Bluetooth device.
There can be different reasons why your iPhone 12 may fail to ring. To fix the issue, make sure your phone is not set to silent mode and adjust your ringer volume through Settings > Sounds & Haptics. Disconnect from any Bluetooth devices and also perform a restart to fix the issue.
The iPhone 13 failing to ring for incoming calls can be frustrating, so to fix the issue, start by ensuring that Do Not Disturb mode is disabled and notification/ringer volume is turned up in Settings. Also, enable call notifications for the phone app and try to force restarting the iPhone or updating to the latest iOS version if the issue remains.
If your iPhone 14 is not ringing for incoming calls, first go to Settings to verify that Do Not Disturb is off, the ringer volume is adequately loud, and notifications are enabled. If issues persist, then attempt a restart by holding the side button and either volume button until the Apple logo appears.
If the iPhone 15 is not ringing, turn off silent mode and disable Do Not Disturb or Focus mode. Also, adjust the ringer volume in Settings > Sounds & Haptics, which might be set too low. Also, make sure your iPhone 15 is updated to the latest iOS.
Go to Settings and check whether Do Not Disturb is off or not. Next, ensure that the ringer and notification volume are maxed, and turn on notifications for the Phone app. If the iPhone SE still does not ring, then try a force reboot by holding the Sleep/Wake + Home button.
If your iPhone 8 is not ringing, check the settings such as Do Not Disturb, and turn it off it it’s switched on. Also, check the volume and if the iPhone is connected to a Bluetooth device. You can also toggle airplane mode on/off to refresh connections and attempt a hard reboot in case the issue is still not fixed.
If, after following all the above-mentioned steps, your iPhone doesn’t ring, the problem may be with the hardware or internal damage that will require professional assistance. If your iPhone is still under warranty, it's advisable to visit an Apple official store for support. If your warranty has expired, repair costs could be significant. You can go to a local repair store such as Simply Fixable that does not compromise on service quality and also gives you a warranty on repairs. Below are the average iPhone repair costs in the United States:
Simply Fixable |
Apple |
|
Average iPhone repair cost |
$110.88 |
$261.85 |
Repair warranty |
90 days minimum |
90 days from the date of service |
iPhone repair costs and warranty by Providers
*Data in the given table is based on Simply Fixable's market research and the official Apple website
To prevent the "iPhone not ringing" issue in the future, you can follow these steps:
Make sure that you are running the latest version of iOS on your iPhone.
Turn off the Silent Mode or Do Not Disturb Mode when needed.
If you are connecting your iPhone to Bluetooth, make sure to disconnect it after usage.
Check your iPhone for any damage, especially to the speakers.
There are several common reasons an iPhone may fail to ring for incoming calls or notifications, including having Do Not Disturb/Silent mode enabled, low ringer volume, software glitches, and more, as listed above. However, these issues are quite normal and can be very easily fixed by simply toggling settings ranging from increasing volume, turning off silent mode, and rebooting the device to more advanced troubleshooting like updating iOS, resetting network settings, disconnecting Bluetooth devices, or even taking it in for repair if speaker damage is suspected.
While frustrating, a systematic approach can easily resolve an iPhone's inability to ring. Reaching out to Simply Fixable can also help fix underlying problems such as damaged speakers.
Tech Writer | Photographer
LinkedIn: Madiha Khadim
Madi is a dynamic tech writer with a passion for simplifying complex concepts. Her expertise lies in creating clear and concise guides, blogs, manuals, and tutorials that empower users to navigate the technological landscape with ease. Throughout her career, Madi has worked with numerous leading tech companies, collaborating with engineers, developers, designers and marketers to create user manuals, FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and tech articles, on the websites such as "Technology Castle" and "Bilzimo". She can transform intricate technical jargon into user-friendly language, empowering users to understand and utilize products effectively.
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