6 Ways To Fix IPhone Not Ringing For Incoming Calls

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Edgar Nicov

How-To

4 min. read

Published on October 1, 2025

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Is your iPhone stubbornly silent when calls come in, leaving you missing important connections? This frustrating issue can stem from a variety of causes, from simple settings adjustments to more complex software glitches. Fortunately, troubleshooting a silent iPhone is often straightforward.

This guide walks you through six effective methods to diagnose and resolve the “iPhone not ringing” problem. We’ll cover everything from checking the obvious culprits like the mute switch and volume settings to diving into more advanced solutions like Do Not Disturb mode and software updates. Let’s get your iPhone ringing again!

Why Is My iPhone Not Ringing?

1. Check the Mute Switch

The most common culprit behind a silent iPhone is the mute switch, located on the left side of your device.

Inspect the switch: Ensure the switch is flipped towards the screen (so that the orange isn’t showing). If the orange is visible, your iPhone is muted.
Flip the switch: Toggle the switch back and forth a few times to ensure it’s not stuck.

2. Adjust the Volume Settings

Sometimes, the ringer volume is simply turned down too low.

Press the volume up button: Located on the left side of your iPhone, press the volume up button repeatedly until you see the volume indicator on the screen.
Adjust volume in Settings: Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and drag the “Ringer and Alerts” slider to the right to increase the volume.

3. Disable Do Not Disturb

“Do Not Disturb” mode silences calls, alerts, and notifications.

Open Control Center: Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom on older iPhones).
Check the Do Not Disturb icon: If the crescent moon icon is highlighted, tap it to disable Do Not Disturb.
Check Schedule: Go to Settings > Do Not Disturb. Ensure “Scheduled” is toggled off.

4. Turn Off Silent Mode for Unknown Callers

iOS 13 and later have a “Silence Unknown Callers” feature.

Navigate to Phone Settings: Go to Settings > Phone.
Disable Silence Unknown Callers: Scroll down and toggle off “Silence Unknown Callers.”

5. Update Your iPhone’s Software

Outdated software can sometimes cause unexpected issues.

Check for Updates: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Download and Install: If an update is available, download and install it.

6. Reset All Settings (Use with Caution)

If none of the above solutions work, resetting all settings might help. Warning: This will reset all your settings to their defaults, but will not delete your data.

Go to Reset: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
Choose Reset All Settings: Select “Reset All Settings” and enter your passcode if prompted.

Tips

Restart Your iPhone: A simple restart can often resolve minor software glitches.
Check Bluetooth Connections: If your iPhone is connected to a Bluetooth device (like headphones or a speaker), the sound might be routed there. Disconnect from Bluetooth to test.
Test with a Specific Contact: See if the issue is specific to one contact. If so, check their contact card for custom ringtone settings.

Get Your iPhone Ringing Again

These six methods cover the most common reasons why an iPhone might not be ringing. By systematically working through these steps, you can often identify and resolve the issue, ensuring you never miss another important call.

FAQ

Why is my iPhone not ringing even when the volume is up? Check if Do Not Disturb is enabled or if you have accidentally silenced unknown callers in your phone settings.

How do I turn off silent mode on my iPhone? Flip the mute switch on the left side of your iPhone so that the orange is not visible.

What does Do Not Disturb do on iPhone? Do Not Disturb silences calls, alerts, and notifications, preventing your iPhone from ringing or vibrating.

Why can’t I hear my iPhone ringing? Ensure your iPhone is not connected to a Bluetooth device, and that the volume is turned up in both the settings and using the physical buttons on the side.

Comparison Table: Common Causes and Solutions

Cause	Solution	Difficulty	Data Loss?
Mute Switch	Flip the switch to the “ring” position.	Easy	No
Low Volume	Increase the volume using the side buttons or in Settings.	Easy	No
Do Not Disturb	Disable Do Not Disturb in Control Center or Settings.	Easy	No
Silence Unknown Callers	Disable Silence Unknown Callers in Phone settings.	Easy	No
Outdated Software	Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.	Medium	No
Reset All Settings	Reset all settings to default.	Hard	No