Can’t Call Out With The iPhone? How To Fix To The Call Failed Problem with iPhone

Sun, Jul 13, 2008

Tutorials & Tips

I found out that my new iPhone has terrible reception, even in places with supposedly good coverage. It turns out that it’s because of certain settings that I didn’t configure properly. After I changed them, all was good again!

So if your iPhone is like mine and you see “Call Ended” and then “Call Failed” immediately after trying to dial out from your iPhone, even though there’s a good signal (i.e. you can see signal bars, so you are connected to your carrier). Then relax, because there probably is no problem with the phone — you PROBABLY just need to do these 2 steps:

1) Go to Settings > General > Date and Time. Switch off “Set Automatically” and manually select your hometown (the default is Cupertino). If you dont change it, you will not be able to make outgoing calls. But the wierd part is, you will still be able to receive incoming calls. Once done, manually set the date and time, and restart your iPhone. If you want, you can reset the 2 settings to “Set Automatically” again.

2) Next, go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID > Switch this to “ON”. Usually with these steps, things should be okay already. If not, you have to turn off “Call Forwarding” and “Call Waiting” as well.

Hope that helps!

Update: For iPhone 3.0 and later, after unlocking you might get no service (in an area you know has good service). In these cases, try turning 3G off, or Push Notifications off.

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This post was written by:

Alvin - Alvin is a Singaporean who's interested in marketing, techy stuff and likes to just figure out how the two can work with each other. On top of his blog, you can also follow him on Twitter.

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  • Pop
    thx
  • Iknow
    Thankyou very much,I deeply Appreciate ur help.
  • Juan
    Thank you! For me Turning OFF "Cal forwarding and Call Waiting" was the solution.
  • Not a problem :)
  • Mohan
    Thanks much....It worked....
  • Azer1020
    hi friend,
    i got same error 'call ended call failed'' and not signal my singal is 0 how i can fix it please tell me. thanks!
  • Same as above - I'm afraid I sold away my iPhone already, sorry!
  • Paige Aspinall
    No it didnt work for me, i had this phone on contract, but then i decided to stop the contract. Once that happend i tryed inserting my O2sim-card. then tryed making a phone call. But then all of a sudden it said 'CALL ENDED', then straight after 'CALL FAILED'. please could you help me asap, what do i do? :/
  • Hmm those steps worked for me after some trial and error. I'm afraid I'm not sure what to do in your case - play around with the settings perhaps? Maybe it's just a configuration that needs to be toggled.
  • Rcook
    Dude thank u so much!
  • iPhone Guy
    Thanks! This fixed my 32gb iPhone 3GS Jailbroken on 4.0
  • No problem, glad it helped!
  • Daniel
    Thank u so much!!! fix my Iphone 3g 16GB on 4.0 OS. THANKS!! =D
  • No problem - glad it helped :)
  • Murlidhar
    Hi ,
    I am facing the same problem with my iPhone 3g IOS 4.0,
    only some times i am unable to make outgoing call, but getting incoming call, and also incoming oand outgoing SMS is ok. and some times all calls is Ok also.

    I have done the same as suggested. but still problem is there.
  • Jason
    Used Google search with this string:

    "cannot make phone calls out without resetting iphone 3g"

    and was taken here. - thank you. Worked great

    (using iPhone 3Gs v iOS4)
  • bernard
    I have an IPHONE 3GS that cannot make outgoing calls and send sms as well, I am wondering why I dont have the option of switching off on setting the date and time automatically. Software version 3.1.3
  • Darren
    my man, i've had this problem ever since my friend told me to turn off my 3g, searched everywhere about this problem and i just got it to work! by jus ti mean 1 min ago! just TRY turning your 3g off and on it back? i know that my problem was the 3g
  • Darshit
    I too have this same problem. Normally network is full but when u make or try to receive calls network goes off. However u can still receive text. Have searched umpteen forum but dont seem to get the solution. Could u please share ur suggestions etc.
  • Not sure about this buddy, coz I haven't tried 3.1.3 :S
  • marcus
    hi alvin,

    i just follow the steps u mention regarding "outgoing call problem but ite seems it doesnt work on my iphone. once i made a call its saying "i dont have enough credit on my account but once i check it, i have enough credit. and one thing also, some deduction on my current balance after the call.

    i check already all the blog having same problem.

    hope u can find solution as soon as possible.
  • Wontok
    The above solution worked a treat - thanks - the second tip was the key.
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