Why Doesn't My iPhone Ring? A Comprehensive Troubleshooting Guide
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your iPhone isn't ringing when you receive calls, despite the volume being turned up? You're not alone. This issue can be quite frustrating, but don't worry, we've got you covered. In this guide, we'll explore several reasons why your iPhone might not be ringing and provide practical solutions to help you resolve the issue.
Check Your iPhone's Volume Settings
Before diving into complex solutions, let's start with the basics. Ensure that your iPhone's volume is not set to silent or vibrate only.
- Check the side button to see if the volume is turned down or if the silent mode is enabled. The silent mode is indicated by an orange line across the volume slider.
- If your iPhone is set to vibrate only, you might not hear the ringtone, but you'll feel the vibration. To check this, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics (or Sounds on older iOS versions) and ensure that the Vibrate on Silence and Vibrate on Ring options are turned off.
Inspect Your Ringtone Settings
Sometimes, the issue might not be with the volume or vibration settings but with the ringtone itself. Here's how you can check and change your ringtone:

- Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics (or Sounds on older iOS versions).
- Under the Ringtone section, ensure that a ringtone is selected and not set to None.
- If you want to change the ringtone, tap on Ringtone and select a different one from the list.
Enable Call Forwarding
If you've recently changed your SIM card or switched carriers, the call forwarding feature might not be enabled. Here's how to enable it:
- Dial *72 followed by the number you want to forward your calls to, then press the call button.
- To disable call forwarding, dial *720 and press the call button.
Check for Software Updates
Outdated software can sometimes cause unexpected issues, including your iPhone not ringing. To ensure that your iPhone has the latest software, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- If an update is available, tap on Download and Install or Install Now to update your iPhone.
Restart Your iPhone
Restarting your iPhone can often resolve minor software glitches that might be causing the issue. Here's how to restart your iPhone:

- Press and hold the side button (or the top button for iPhone SE, 8, or earlier models) until the "slide to power off" slider appears.
- Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone.
- Wait for about 30 seconds, then press and hold the side button (or the top button) again until the Apple logo appears.
Reset Network Settings
If none of the above solutions work, resetting your iPhone's network settings might help resolve the issue. Here's how to do it:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- Confirm the action by tapping on Reset Network Settings again.
After resetting the network settings, your iPhone will reboot, and you'll need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network and re-enter any saved passwords for cellular data or Wi-Fi calling.
Final Thoughts
We hope that one of the solutions mentioned above has helped you resolve the issue of your iPhone not ringing. If you're still experiencing problems, it might be a good idea to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for further assistance. Regularly updating your iPhone's software and keeping it clean can help prevent such issues from occurring in the future.