---
title: "Wi-Fi Calling Not Working? Step-by-Step Fixes for iPhone, Android, Verizon, T-Mobile and Cricket"
description: "WiFi calling not working? Step-by-step fixes for iPhone, Android, Verizon, T-Mobile and Cricket, plus fixes for a phone not ringing and call forwarding failing."
canonical_url: "https://skipcalls.com/blog/wifi-calling-not-working-phone-not-ringing-fixes"
markdown_url: "https://skipcalls.com/blog/wifi-calling-not-working-phone-not-ringing-fixes.md"
updated: "2026-11-11"
published: "2026-10-02"
author: "SkipCalls Team"
tags: ["Wi-Fi Calling", "Phone Troubleshooting", "iPhone", "Android", "Call Forwarding"]
---

Source: https://skipcalls.com/blog/wifi-calling-not-working-phone-not-ringing-fixes

# Wi-Fi Calling Not Working? Step-by-Step Fixes for iPhone, Android, Verizon, T-Mobile and Cricket

> When Wi-Fi Calling stops working, turn it off and on, confirm your emergency (E911) address, install any carrier settings update, and try a different Wi-Fi network; if it works elsewhere, your router or firewall is blocking it. If the option is missing entirely, your carrier hasn't enabled it for your line or phone.

If Wi-Fi Calling isn't working, start with the four fixes that solve most cases: turn Wi-Fi Calling off and back on, confirm your emergency (E911) address with your carrier, install any pending carrier settings update, and test on a different Wi-Fi network. If it works on another network, the problem is your router or firewall, not your phone. If the Wi-Fi Calling switch is missing or grayed out, your carrier hasn't enabled it for your line or your phone model.

Below are the menu paths for iPhone, Pixel, and Samsung, then the carrier-specific traps on Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Cricket. Two related problems get their own sections: a phone that doesn't ring for incoming calls, and call forwarding that won't work on iPhone.

## How Wi-Fi Calling works (and why it breaks)

Wi-Fi Calling sends your normal phone calls over the internet when cellular signal is weak. Your phone opens an encrypted tunnel from your Wi-Fi network to your carrier, and calls and texts use your regular number. Three things all have to be in place:

1. **Your carrier supports it on your plan and phone model**, and it's provisioned on your line.
2. **Your line has a registered emergency address.** US carriers require one before Wi-Fi Calling turns on.
3. **Your Wi-Fi network allows the tunnel.** Routers, office firewalls, guest networks, and VPNs sometimes block it.

## Quick fixes that work on any phone

Do these in order. Apple suggests waiting about two minutes between steps so the phone has time to re-register.

1. **Turn Wi-Fi Calling off, then on.** Verizon's own troubleshooting starts here too.
2. **Restart the phone.** On a Pixel, Google recommends a full power off, 30 seconds, then power on, rather than a quick restart.
3. **Toggle Airplane Mode** for a few seconds, then reconnect to Wi-Fi.
4. **Check the emergency address** in your carrier's app or account. A missing or rejected address blocks Wi-Fi Calling on many carriers.
5. **Update carrier settings and the OS.**
6. **Try another Wi-Fi network**, such as a friend's home network or a phone hotspot from another phone. Apple says plainly that not all Wi-Fi networks work with Wi-Fi Calling.
7. **Turn off any VPN** and test again.
8. **Reset network settings** as the last step. It erases saved Wi-Fi passwords.

## Wi-Fi Calling not working on iPhone

### Turn it on (or check that it's on)

1. Open **Settings > Cellular**.
2. If you have more than one line, tap the line you want.
3. Tap **Wi-Fi Calling** and turn on **Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone**.
4. Tap **Enable** and confirm your emergency address if asked.

When it's active, Control Center shows "Wi-Fi" next to your carrier name.

### If it still doesn't work

1. **Install a carrier settings update.** Go to **Settings > General > About** and wait a few seconds. If an update exists, a prompt appears. Apple notes that carrier updates can add features like Wi-Fi Calling.
2. **Update iOS** in **Settings > General > Software Update**.
3. **Turn Wi-Fi Calling off and on**, then restart the iPhone.
4. **Try a different Wi-Fi network.**
5. **Reset network settings**: **Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings**.

### Wi-Fi Calling is grayed out or missing on iPhone

- The emergency address is still being processed. Wait a few minutes and check again.
- The line is new, ported, or moved to eSIM and isn't fully provisioned. Your carrier needs to fix this on their side.
- Your plan doesn't include Wi-Fi Calling, which happens with some prepaid and international plans.

## Wi-Fi Calling not working on Android

### Google Pixel

1. Open **Settings > Network & internet > SIMs**.
2. Tap **Wi-Fi calling** and turn on **Use Wi-Fi calling**.
3. Place a test call.

If calls drop or won't connect, Google's troubleshooting adds:

- In **Network & internet > SIMs**, select your carrier and check that **VoLTE** is on. Many carriers require VoLTE (sometimes called HD Voice) for Wi-Fi Calling.
- Turn off Bluetooth to rule out a car or headset taking the call.
- Reset with **Settings > System > Reset options > Reset mobile network settings**, and separately reset Wi-Fi and Bluetooth if needed (this deletes saved Wi-Fi connections).

### Samsung Galaxy

1. Open the **Phone** app, tap the three-dot menu, then **Settings > Wi-Fi Calling**. On some models it's under **Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi Calling**.
2. Turn the switch on and enter your E911 address if prompted.

Samsung's US support page lists the requirements: a working Wi-Fi connection and active service through a SIM or eSIM. It also notes that on AT&T, VoLTE must be on before Wi-Fi Calling can be activated. If it still fails, reset with **Settings > General management > Reset > Reset network settings** (labeled "Reset mobile network settings" on some versions).

## Wi-Fi Calling not working on Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, or Cricket

| Carrier | Most common blocker | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Verizon | Missing E911 address, router settings | Toggle Wi-Fi Calling off and on, then use the My Verizon troubleshooter. Verizon can't troubleshoot call quality over Wi-Fi because those calls aren't on its network, so router issues go to your internet provider |
| T-Mobile | E911 address not set (error REG09) | Add or re-save the E911 address in the T-Life app, then toggle Wi-Fi Calling |
| AT&T | VoLTE/HD Voice off, router | Turn on VoLTE, reset network settings, power-cycle the modem and router, then use AT&T's online troubleshooter |
| Cricket | Phone not bought from Cricket | Cricket says Wi-Fi Calling won't work on Android phones not purchased from Cricket; it does work on iPhone. Check Cricket's list of Wi-Fi Calling capable phones |

### Verizon Wi-Fi Calling not working

Verizon's first step is the toggle: Wi-Fi Calling off, back on, retest. After that it points you to the troubleshooter for your device. It won't troubleshoot call quality on Wi-Fi calls, because they don't run on its network, and it sends router questions to your internet provider. So test on a second network before you call anyone. If Wi-Fi Calling works at home and fails at the office, the office network is the problem, and whoever runs that network has to fix it.

### T-Mobile Wi-Fi Calling not working

T-Mobile requires an E911 address for Wi-Fi Calling, and its troubleshooting page lists REG09 as the missing 911 address error. Add or update the address in the T-Life app under your profile's **E911 Address** setting, then turn Wi-Fi Calling off and on.

### Cricket Wi-Fi Calling not working

Cricket's support page states that Wi-Fi Calling needs a Cricket Wi-Fi Calling capable phone, and that Android phones not bought from Cricket won't get it. iPhones work regardless of where you bought them. Your line also has to be set up for HD Voice.

## Why is my phone not ringing for incoming calls?

Sometimes "Wi-Fi Calling isn't working" really means "my phone isn't ringing." Callers say they called and you saw nothing, or only a missed call afterward. Apart from coverage, the usual causes are:

1. **Do Not Disturb or a Focus mode** is on, often turned on automatically by a sleep schedule or driving detection.
2. **Silence Unknown Callers** (iPhone) or automatic call screening (Pixel) is sending unknown numbers to voicemail. See [Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone and Android](https://skipcalls.com/blog/silence-unknown-callers-iphone-android).
3. **The ringer switch or Action button** is set to silent, or ringer volume is at zero.
4. **Bluetooth** is routing the call to a car, earbuds, or a smartwatch.
5. **The number is blocked**, or on Android the contact is set to "Send to voicemail."
6. **Call forwarding** is on and sends calls elsewhere before your phone rings.
7. **Spam filtering** silences numbers your carrier or phone flags. Legitimate business numbers get flagged too.

If calls skip ringing and go straight to voicemail, work through our full checklist on [why calls go straight to voicemail](https://skipcalls.com/blog/why-are-my-calls-going-straight-to-voicemail). If the problem is spam drowning out real calls, [stopping spam calls on iPhone and Android](https://skipcalls.com/blog/how-to-stop-spam-calls-iphone-android) is the better starting point.

## Call forwarding not working on iPhone

### The Call Forwarding menu is missing

On Verizon and some other carriers, the iPhone doesn't show **Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Forwarding** at all. That's normal. You turn forwarding on with dial codes instead: `*72` plus the 10-digit number for all calls, `*71` plus the number for calls you don't answer, and `*73` to cancel. Our [call forwarding code generator](https://skipcalls.com/tools/call-forwarding-code-generator) builds the exact code for your carrier and destination number, and the carrier guides cover each one in detail, for example [Verizon](https://skipcalls.com/call-forwarding/verizon), [T-Mobile](https://skipcalls.com/call-forwarding/tmobile), [AT&T](https://skipcalls.com/call-forwarding/att), and [Cricket](https://skipcalls.com/call-forwarding/cricket).

### The iPhone switch only forwards all calls

The iPhone's built-in switch forwards every call, so your phone never rings. To have your phone ring first and forward only the calls you miss, you need conditional forwarding, which on AT&T, T-Mobile, and most GSM carriers is set with codes like `**61*` plus the number and `#` for no answer, and `**67*` plus the number and `#` for busy.

### The code is entered but nothing happens

1. Check the number format. Most carriers want the full 10-digit number with no spaces or dashes.
2. Dial the code from the phone line you want to forward, not from another device.
3. Wait for the confirmation tone or on-screen message before hanging up.
4. If the code keeps failing, turn off Wi-Fi Calling, dial it again over the cellular network, then turn Wi-Fi Calling back on. This rules out the Wi-Fi path as the problem.
5. Ask your carrier whether forwarding is included on your plan. Some prepaid plans block it.

### Forwarding works but calls still go to voicemail

Your phone or carrier voicemail can answer before the forward kicks in. Ask your carrier to adjust the no-answer timer, or cancel forwarding (`*73` on Verizon, `##21#` on AT&T and T-Mobile) and set it again. For a full business setup walkthrough, see [how to set up call forwarding for a small business](https://skipcalls.com/blog/how-to-set-up-call-forwarding-small-business).

## When your phone can't be trusted to ring, give calls somewhere to land

These fixes make your phone more reliable. They can't help an electrician in a basement with no signal, or a salon owner whose Focus mode is still on from last night. Those calls need a second place to go.

SkipCalls adds a backup that doesn't depend on your phone's settings. You keep your number and set no-answer, busy, and unreachable forwarding to your AI receptionist. Your phone still rings first, as described in [ring your phone before the AI receptionist answers](https://skipcalls.com/blog/ring-your-phone-before-ai-receptionist-answers). If it doesn't ring, or you can't pick up, the receptionist answers 24/7, books the job, and texts you a summary. About 9 million known spam numbers are stopped before your phone rings with [spam blocking](https://skipcalls.com/features/spam-blocking). Setup takes about 5 minutes.

See the [plans](https://skipcalls.com/pricing), or [get the app](https://skipcalls.com/get-app) and forward your number today.

## FAQ

### Why does my Wi-Fi Calling keep turning off?

Usually the emergency address was rejected, the line was re-provisioned after a SIM or eSIM change, or a carrier settings update reset it. Re-save the E911 address, install pending carrier updates, then turn Wi-Fi Calling on again.

### Why is Wi-Fi Calling grayed out on my iPhone?

Your carrier hasn't enabled it for your line yet, the emergency address is still being processed, or your plan doesn't include it. Wait a few minutes after entering the address. If it's still grayed out, ask your carrier to provision Wi-Fi Calling.

### Does Wi-Fi Calling work with a VPN?

Often not reliably. Wi-Fi Calling uses its own encrypted tunnel to the carrier, and many VPNs and firewalls interfere with it. Turn off the VPN to test.

### Why does Wi-Fi Calling work at home but not at work?

Apple notes that not all Wi-Fi networks work with Wi-Fi Calling. If it works at home and fails at work, the office network is the difference. Ask whoever runs it to allow Wi-Fi Calling, or use another network.

### Why is my phone not ringing but texts come through?

Texts can arrive over data or Wi-Fi while calls are silenced by Do Not Disturb, Silence Unknown Callers, or call screening, or while calls are forwarded. Check those settings, then test with Wi-Fi Calling on.

### Why is call forwarding not working on my iPhone?

Your carrier may not support the iPhone's built-in switch (common on Verizon), the number format may be wrong, or the code was mistyped. Dial your carrier's code from the line you want to forward, try it with Wi-Fi Calling off, and wait for the confirmation.

### Does Wi-Fi Calling cost extra?

It depends on your carrier and plan. Google's Pixel help tells users to check with their carrier about fees, and international calling rules over Wi-Fi vary. Check your plan details before relying on it abroad.

## References

- [Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling](https://support.apple.com/108066) (Apple Support)
- [Fix problems with calls and Wi-Fi calling on Pixel](https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/14116080) (Google Pixel Help)
- [Turn on Wi-Fi Calling on Galaxy phones](https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00077652/) (Samsung Support)
- [If your call fails or you can't receive calls on your iPhone](https://support.apple.com/118427) (Apple Support)
- [Wi-Fi Calling capable phones](https://www.cricketwireless.com/support/mobile-wifi/wifi-calling-capable-phones) (Cricket Wireless)