Your Android phone failing at the basics like calling and texting can leave you scratching your head. Sometimes your Android phone stops making or receiving calls, but it works fine with SMS. This is an unusual situation, and if you are facing the same, here are the best ways to fix Android phone that won’t make calls but can send SMS.

Even your best Android phone is useless when it fails to make or receive calls. Things get confusing when your phone sends or receives text as usual but fails calls. Let’s get started and fix the problem once and for all.

To note: We used a Google Pixel 6a running Android 13 beta to take screenshots of this issue and managed to fix it. The names of menu options may be different on your Android phone, depending on its make and model.

1. Reset Network Connectivity

The first thing you can do is reset the network connections on your Android. You can temporarily turn airplane mode on and turn it off after a few seconds. Here’s how you can do it on your Android.

Step 1: Swipe down from the top of your Android phone’s home screen.

2nd step: Expand the quick toggle menu.

Step 3: Turn Airplane mode on for a few seconds and turn it off.

You can try making calls. If it still doesn’t work, read on for more fixes.

2. Check for issues with your local carrier

When your local carrier has server-side issues, you cannot make or receive calls on your Android phone. You can visit downdetector and search for your local carrier. When other people face the same problem, you will notice high crash graphs and user comments confirming the problem. You have no choice but to wait for your carrier to fix the problem.

3. Reinsert the SIM card

You can temporarily remove the SIM card from your Android for a minute and insert it again. Take a SIM card eject tool (provided with your phone’s retail box) and remove the SIM card. Reinsert the card properly, let your phone lock to the network, and try making a few calls.

4. Change your preferred network type

In tough places like hills or tunnels, you can change the preferred network type on your phone from 5G or LTE (4G) to 3G for a reliable network connection. Although 3G does not offer fast Internet speeds, it is more reliable than LTE for making or receiving calls in difficult areas.

Step 1: Swipe up from the Android phone home screen.

2nd step: Open Settings (with a familiar gear icon).

Step 3: Select Network and Internet.

Step 4: Tap your preferred SIM card.

Step 5: Select “Preferred network type”.

Step 6: Tap the radio button next to 3G.

Wait a moment to let your phone detect a network connection and start making calls.

4. Reactivate SIM card

Chances are you are using the Google RCS platform to send or receive messages on your Android phone. To enable calls and messages through your local carrier, you can re-enable the SIM card on your Android phone.

Step 1: Open your preferred SIM card in settings (refer to the steps above).

2nd step: Turn off the Use SIM card toggle and turn it back on after a minute or two.

5. Enable Allow 2G

Although 2G is less powerful (in terms of data connectivity), it can improve cellular connectivity in remote locations. Here’s how to activate 2G on your Android phone.

Step 1: Open SIM card details in Android settings (check the steps above).

2nd step: Scroll down and enable Allow 2G Toggle.

6. Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile and Bluetooth

If your Android phone still won’t make or receive calls but can send text messages, it’s time to reset the network connection.

Step 1: Open Settings on your Android.

2nd step: Select System and press Reset options.

Step 3: Tap “Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth”.

Confirm your decision in the next menu.

7. Clear Phone App Cache

Due to corrupted phone app cache, you may experience issues in making or receiving calls on your Android phone. Here’s how to clear the Phone app cache and try again.

Step 1: Long press the Phone app icon and open the information menu.

2nd step: Open Storage & cache and tap on Clear cache from the next menu.

8. Update Android Security Patch

Android phone not making calls but text bug could be due to outdated OS version or security patch. Android OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) regularly release monthly security patches (at least on flagship phones) to fix critical issues.

Step 1: Open the system in Android settings (check the steps above).

2nd step: Tap System Update and install any pending OS version.

Your phone is intended for making calls

You can always switch to instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal to dial calls over the internet. But it’s not practical all the time. What tricks worked for you to fix Android phone that won’t make calls but can send text messages. Share your findings in the comments below.