iPhone 11 that can’t make phone calls after iOS 13.3 update is among the most reported issues we received. And we’ve made a thorough research to help our avid readers in fixing this issue. If you are in a deep struggle trying to fix this calling issue on your iPhone 11 device, the search is over. Read on and be guided.
Making phone calls from your iOS device is among the important features every user utilizes in a day-to-day basis. When the service becomes unavailable, it could be due to the area being out of network coverage or an account-related issue. However, there are also other factors than can hinder your phone from making outgoing calls, especially if the problem occurs after an iOS update.
Listed below are potential troubleshooting guides to address unable to make phone calls issue on an iPhone 11 device after iOS 13.3 implementation. We’ve also determined possible factors that can trigger the outgoing calling feature to fail.
What causes “can’t make phone calls” issue to arise on iPhone 11 after iOS 13.3?
Here are the possible root causes for the outbound calling feature to fail on your iPhone 11 device:
- You won’t be able to make phone calls from your iPhone if your device shows “No Service” error as your phone is not getting any signal from the network tower.
- The calling problem may occur when the SIM card has been dislodged, or becomes faulty.
- Your account has been suspended due to non-payment, and therefore the service has been deactivated.
- There is an on-going outage in your area affecting your phone’s calling feature.
- Random system glitches and iOS bugs affecting your phone’s system.
The aforementioned root causes are still rectifiable in your end, except for the outages and the account-related factors. If you are certain that your account is still in good standing, and there is no reported outage in your area, proceed with troubleshooting your iPhone 11 device to restore your phone’s outbound calling function.
First solution: Restart iPhone 11 to fix can’t make phone calls issue after iOS 13.3.
Minor software glitches could have triggered the outbound calling feature to fail. To rule this out, restart your iPhone 11. Doing so will eliminate these glitches and refresh your phone’s operating system. You can either perform a soft reset or force restart to give your iPhone 11 a clean start. Listed below are the steps to soft reset an iPhone 11:
- Press and hold the Side/Power button and either Volume button simultaneously until the Slide to Power Off command appears.
- Drag the slider to the right to turn off your iPhone 11.
- After 30 seconds, press and hold the Side/Power button again and release when the Apple logo appears.
Alternatively, you can also give your phone a quick reboot by carrying out a force restart. This method is ideal when your phone screen becomes unresponsive. The process will also force close apps that are left on standby mode and might be causing the phone’s calling function to fail. Here’s how:
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Lastly, press and hold the Side or Power button until the Apple logo appears.
Wait for your iPhone 11 to establish network connections. Once it is showing ample signal bars, try to make a phone call and see if the problem is fixed.
Second solution: Turn the Airplane Mode on and off again.
Network-related errors caused by the recent iOS update can also be the underlying cause. Often times, these errors can be ruled out by simply turning the Airplane Mode on and off again. What Airplane Mode does is it will temporarily suspend the signal transmission on your iOS device. The cellular and other network connections will then resumed once the Airplane Mode is disabled again. Try these steps:
- Go to Settings from Home.
- Select Airplane Mode and toggle the switch to enable the feature. Your phone’s wireless radios will then be disabled.
- While your iPhone 11 is on Airplane Mode, restart (soft reset) the device.
- Once the phone is completely back on, go back to Settings->Airplane Mode and tap the switch to disable the feature. All radios and services on your phone will also be restored.
Once your iPhone 11 has acquired cellular network signal, make a test call. Try calling multiple numbers to ensure that calling problem has been addressed. If not, move on to the next solution.
Third solution: Check for Blocked Numbers to correct can’t make phone calls problem on your iPhone 11.
This method is only applicable if the problem only exists to selected contacts or phone numbers. Could it be the iOS update that automatically blocked some of your contacts, or you whom blocked these numbers, it is ideal to check these contacts and unblock when necessary.
- Simply head to Phone->Settings->Blocked Numbers.
Make necessary changes when needed. Then try calling out the numbers and see if this has fixed the problem.
Fourth solution: Remove and re-insert your SIM Card on your iPhone 11.
Your SIM card might have been flawed or dislodged and therefore can’t establish a connection at all. Often times, an error message “Insert SIM card” will show on your phone’s screen if the SIM card is at fault. But even without this error message, you need to check your SIM card. Turn off your iPhone 11 before removing the SIM card. Here is what you need to do:
- While your iPhone is off, insert the SIM eject tool or a paper clip into the provided hole to unlock the SIM tray.
- Gently push the tool until you hear a click sound.
- Slowly pull the SIM tray and remove the SIM card. Check for possible scratches or dirt especially on the golden part.
- If you see no signs of physical damage, put the SIM card back on the tray.
- Then gently push the SIM tray until it’s completely locked into the slot.
Once the SIM card is completely installed again, turn your iPhone 11 back on. Wait for it to establish connections. Then make a test to see if the problem has been corrected.
Fifth solution: Check for and install carrier settings update.
A carrier settings update can also be considered as an effective fix for calling feature problems. This kind of update helps improve cellular connectivity and performance of the device, and typically released as a mandatory update by the carrier. But if you haven’t received a carrier settings update notification for quite some time, you may need to manually check for and install the carrier settings update by yourself. Here is how:
- Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network or enable Cellular Data as you need an internet connection to install this update.
- Then head to Settings->General->About. You will be prompted with the option to update the carrier settings once an update is available. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the carrier settings update on your iPhone 11 device.
Make a test call afterwards, and see if you are already able to make phone calls from your iPhone.
Sixth solution: Factory reset your iPhone 11.
There may be a need for you to restore your iPhone to factory default settings if you are still unable to make phone calls up to this point. Your iPhone might be inflicted with complex iOS bug or major software glitches making the calling problem hard to fix using the previous solutions. Since this method will delete all your saved files, make sure to back them up with iCloud or iTunes. Then proceed with these steps:
- Go to Settings from the Home screen.
- Select General.
- Scroll down to and tap Reset.
- Select Erase all content and settings option.
- If asked, enter your device passcode to continue.
- Then select the option to confirm factory reset.
Once the reset has been completed, you will be prompted with the Welcome Screen. All you need to do is follow the onscreen prompts to set up your iPhone 11 as new again.
Ask assistance from your network service provider or contact Apple Support
All those aforementioned solutions should be able to fix the calling problem on your iPhone 11 device. But if the problem still persists, you need to ask help from your network service provider. As an alternative, you can also contact Apple Support since the problem started after installing the iOS 13.3 update. Make sure to relay the things you’ve done prior to contacting them so you’ll be provided with proper recommendations.
