Phone Line Busy But Not In Use? Why & How to Fix?

Is your phone line busy but not in use? Can’t you wrap your head around why it’s giving out the busy signal even if you’re not engaged in another call?

For this guide, we’ll guide you in terms of understanding what makes a phone line busy. Furthermore, you will also learn how you can avoid this particular situation!

To fix this, the first thing you need to do is to check the network; you might not be at a location where there’s sufficient signal or reception. Then, you’d have to toggle a few settings on your phone.

Before discussing the solution, let’s try to have a grasp on what’s causing a busy line. What are the reasons that make phone lines busy?

What Makes a Phone Line Busy?

A lot of people still don’t understand the engineering of phone lines. They still can’t grasp the idea of what makes a phone line busy and what makes it open.

Here are a couple of the reasons why a phone line can appear “busy” from an incoming caller:

• The number is talking with another number (caller)
• It’s calling out to another number
• There’s another number calling it at the same time as you
• The number has blocked you
• It has been forwarded to a different number that’s currently busy
• Technical difficulties

There are a lot of reasons that can make a phone line busy. But, these are a few of the most common-occurring ones based on the vast majority of people who experienced and are experiencing it.

So, is there a way on how to fix line busy even if you’re really not? Do you have an important call that you need to attend to and do you want your phone line to be reachable?

Before contacting your provider for a new SIM card, try this method out and see how it will work for you!

Fixing Phone Line Busy But Not In Use Issue

To fix the occurrence of a busy line on your phone while you’re not using it, you have to follow these steps.

Step #1: Check Your Location

One of the most common reasons why a caller gets a busy line when calling you is that you’re not in an area that’s serviceable.

You’ll actually be able to notice it easily. You can check the signal bars on the top part of your phone.

If it’s full, then it means you have a signal or reception, otherwise, you’ll only be eligible for emergency calls.

That’s the first step on how to remove line busy on your phone number.

Step #2: Toggle Airplane Mode ON/OFF

After that, the next thing you want to do is to toggle airplane mode.

In case you weren’t aware, airplane mode is like deactivating all network-capable services. This includes texting, calling, using mobile data, and so on.

You can easily toggle airplane mode by accessing the quick access menu and clicking the airplane icon or airplane button.

Alternatively, you can also go into Settings > Airplane Mode. For Android devices, go to Settings > Connections > Airplane Mode.

Step #3: Do You Have Call Forwarding On?

Call forwarding is a feature that you can activate if you have it on your plan. Moreover, you can also have it effective on your mobile phone.

To see on an Android, go to the Phone App and click on the menu or the three-dotted option at the top-right part of the screen.

Then, go to Supplementary Services and locate Call Forwarding to see if you have it turned on.

For iPhones, though, you simply have to search for Call Forwarding in Settings to see if it’s turned on or activated.

You might have the calls forwarded to a specific number that’s not in service. That might be the reason why your phone line is busy even if it’s not being used.

Step #4: Check Your Blocked Contacts

After that, the next step on how to remove line busy on your phone is by ensuring that the caller is not part of your blocked numbers.

For iPhones, you can access blocked contacts by going into Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts. For Android phones, on the other hand, you can access it by going to the Phone App > Menu > Blocked Numbers.

Step #5: Deactivate Call Barring

Then, what you have to do is to check if you have the feature “call barring” turned on or activated.

Call barring is a setting that disables incoming calls by turning them off. For iPhones, there’s not really a setting to toggle.

You can deactivate call barring on iPhones by dialing #33*1# to turn it off.  You’ll hear and see confirmation that the deactivation has been accomplished.

For Android phones, however, the same process applies:

• Access the Phone App
• Click the Menu or the three-dotted option
• Go to Supplementary Services
• Access Call Barring

Step #6: Remove and Reinsert SIM Card

After ensuring that call barring isn’t activated, the problem might be with your SIM card.

So, what you have to do is to turn your device off and remove the SIM card from the tray. While it’s removed, try removing dirt and dust on the SIM card tray if there are any.

It’ll also be good to have a good wipe of the SIM card before reinserting it back again into the tray.

NOTE: This step also includes the process of doing a power cycle. Since you’ll be turning your phone off for about 1 to 2 minutes, it’ll reset.

Step #7: Perform Reset Network Settings

If all of those don’t work, then the last step that you need to do is to perform Reset Network Settings.

Many people think that resetting the network is similar to toggling the airplane mode. But, actually, it’s more than that.

When you reset your network settings, all of the network-related features will be reset. This will include:

• Name and password of your mobile hotspot
• Saved WiFi networks
• Paired Bluetooth devices

When it’s reset, restart the device and you should be able to get incoming calls without the other party hearing a busy line!

That’s how easy and simple it is to fix your phone line that’s busy even when it’s not in use!

Read Next: How to Make Phone Line Busy when Someone Calls?

Phone Line Still Busy After the Process, What’s Next?

Should the problem persist after you did the method we outlined above, try inserting a different SIM card on your device.

NOTE: Your device needs to be an open line to test out a SIM card from a different provider.

If it works, the problem is with your SIM card. Request for replacement from your service provider or get a new one while retaining the same number.

On the contrary, there might be something wrong with the phone. Your best bet would be to bring it to the nearest local technician or professional that can handle mobile phones.

Conclusion

Don’t wait for an important call to make you fix this particular problem.

If you’re having the “phone line busy but not in use” issue, this guide can teach and educate you on all the things you need to know in fixing it.

You don’t really need to be an expert to resolve or fix it!