[FIXED] Cellular Network Not Available for Voice Calls – 10 Easy Solutions
If you keep getting a “cellular network not available” error when trying to make calls, you might be dealing with a system glitch. A simple fix like restarting your phone can help.
However, the problem could also pop up due to a system bug, or if your mobile network is going through maintenance. You’ll have to wait for your network operator to sort things out.
Although I haven’t faced the error message before, it used to appear on my sister’s iPhone 11. She asked me for help, and I figured that the issue was due to a bug. I not only described how I fixed this on her iPhone, but solutions that you can try on Androids.
How Do You Fix “Cellular Network Not Available For Voice Calls” Error Message?
There are many fixes to try:
Solution 1: Improve Your Signal Strength
You won’t be able to make phone calls, send texts, or access data roaming if you’re in an area with bad coverage. This is the first thing you should rule out whenever the “cellular network not available for voice calls” error appears.
Simply check the top of your phone screen. You should have 3 or more bars if you have decent signal strength.
Or, walk around until you are in a spot with good network coverage.
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Solution 2: Set Phone’s Network Selection to Automatic
Your phone searches for network operators automatically. However, you can disable this, which most advanced users do.
You’ll need to manually select your network operator. Or else, the error will appear.
To make things easy, change the network search back to automatic.
On Android phones:
Go to Settings > Tap Connections > Find Mobile Networks
Go to Network Operator, then choose Select Automatically
On iPhones:
Go to Settings > tap Mobile Data
Click on Mobile Network
Toggle the Automatic option on (should turn grey to green)
Solution 3: Disable Flight Mode
The issue can also appear if Airplane Mode is switched on. When it’s running, it will prevent you from connecting to cellular towers, which means you can’t make phone calls or even access the internet.
To fix this on Android devices:
Open Settings > Network & Internet
Toggle Airplane Mode off
On iPhones:
Go to Settings
Toggle the switch next to Airplane Mode off
Solution 4: Reboot Your Phone
Software glitches can cause various issues, including the voice calls error. If it’s a minor glitch, you should be able to switch your phone off and back on to take care of it.
Otherwise, you will have to do a force restart. This is essentially a regular reboot but more comprehensive.
The process you need to follow on Androids differs depending on your model, but you can press and hold the Power and Volume Down button for around 10 seconds to get the job done.
On iPhones, it gets a bit more complicated. Follow this guide by Apple.
Solution 5: Software Update
The error message can appear when your operating system is bugging out. If you don’t regularly update your OS, this could be the issue.
If it’s an outdated OS that you’re facing, you will face various problems and not just the cellular network error.
To update an Android:
Faulty network settings can also cause your cellular network to act up. You may have downloaded an OS update that accidentally changed these settings.
To fix this and get phone calls to work again, you need to reset your network’s settings. It’s easy to do, but keep in mind that your saved Bluetooth pairings and WiFi passwords will be lost in the process.
On Androids:
Go to Settings > Tap System
Select Reset Options
Click on Reset WiFi, Mobile, and Bluetooth > Reset Settings to confirm
On iPhones:
Open the iPhone Settings menu
Go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone
Reset > Reset Network
Enter your device passcode to confirm
Solution 7: Factory Reset Mobile Phone
You might be dealing with a complex software problem that only factory resetting can clear.
To make sure your personal files and data are not lost, back up your files before proceeding.
To factory data reset an Android:
Open Settings > General & Backup and Reset
Tap Factory Reset > Reset Device > Delete All
On iPhones:
Open the Settings app > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone
Tap on Erase All Content & Settings
Enter your Apple ID password when asked
Solution 8: Change Your SIM Card
Your SIM card needs to be in good condition to connect to your network operator. If it doesn’t work properly, you may have damaged it.
Eject your SIM tray and examine it for any damages.
You can contact your carrier and ask them to change your SIM.
Solution 9: Contact Manufacturer
Hardware issues can also lead to the voice calls error message. The antenna switch could be damaged. Contact the store you bought it from to get it fixed.
Depending on your device warranty, you can get the damages fixed for free.
Solution 10: Contact Your Cellular Carrier
If all else fails, there’s a chance that your carrier is facing an outage. You’ll have to wait for the carrier to sort it out.
If this is the cause of the voice calls error, you will see other users complain about this error message online. Your carrier will probably put out a notice on their server status page, or social media accounts.
FAQ
Answered below are some popular questions.
Why Does Phone Say “Cellular Network Not Available For Voice Calls”?
There are many reasons why the “cellular network not available for voice calls” error can pop up:
Your carrier may be acting up due to an outage. Try contacting them to find out if it’s due to system maintenance. If it is, you’ll have to wait for your carrier to take care of things from their end.
Your phone may be stuck on a glitch. A simple restart will help. If not, you will have to force reboot, or reset all your phone settings. The restart can also help in case faulty background operations were the cause.
Operating system problems can cause mobile phones to act up, and prevent you from making urgent phone calls. To sort this out, update your device’s OS to a newer OS version.
You may have flight mode running. You won’t be able to connect to mobile networks, or any wireless network.
All network providers work poorly in locations with bad coverage. This might be the cause of the problem, so check your signal strength bars, then move to a different location with good coverage.
Your roaming settings may be faulty. You may have downloaded an OS update that caused this. Reset your network settings to fix mobile network issue.
A mobile network pertains to a communications network spread via cell sites, which deliver mobile carrier signals to your SIM. If your SIM is broken or damaged, it can malfunction, and cause errors.
Most advanced users change their network provider search settings to manual. Unless you manually enter your carrier network, the voice call error will appear.
Your phone’s antenna switch may be broken. Contact the store you bought it from for any available hardware solutions.
Final Thoughts
The “cellular network not available for voice calls” error can be frustrating. However, there are simple and quick fixes to get phone calls to work again.
Usually, the issue pops up when you accidentally enable Airplane Mode. It can also appear if you happen to be in a location with bad network coverage.
When it comes to fixes for Androids, regardless of whether you own a Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Sony Xperia, or OnePlus, you can rely on the fixes discussed. This is true whether you use T mobile, Verizon or any other cell provider.