Why is my SafeLink phone not making calls? Many users encounter this problem, and it’s not always due to connectivity issues. Luckily, we can help you!
Whether you have an iPhone or Android phone, being unable to make calls can be very frustrating.
You will need to find the cause so that you can apply the perfect solution that will solve all your problems.
Let’s start!
To get your SafeLink phone to make calls again, you want to make sure your phone is getting a strong signal. Reset your phone’s connection with your carrier by turning on Airplane Mode or disabling the SIM card on your phone.
Before we discuss the troubleshooting steps thoroughly, let us find out the possible reasons your SafeLink phone can’t make calls.
Why My SafeLink Phone Won’t Make Calls
There are several reasons your SafeLink phone won’t make calls. If you’ve ensured that you still have service, one of the following can be the culprit.
1. Signal And Coverage Issues
You may be in an area with no coverage. You’re in a dead spot or a network outage if you see a 0-1 signal bar at the top of your screen.
2. Account Issues
You may have reached your mobile data limit. Maybe you set it previously but forgot to update it accordingly.
3. SIM Card Malfunction
The issue may originate from your SIM card. Either your device can’t detect your SIM, or your SIM is dirty or damaged.
4. Outstanding Bills
Your recent bill payment likely didn’t go through. In this case, you will receive a text or email.
However, sometimes you won’t, so it’s best to check your provider app or contact SafeLink.
4. Device Settings
You may have set your phone to a network mode that doesn’t offer optimal coverage.
If you have a 4G phone, your network mode should also be 4G. Otherwise, you won’t be able to connect to the right signals.
These are the possible reasons your SafeLink phone is not making calls. Now, let us proceed to the solutions.
How to Fix Why is My SafeLink Phone Not Making Calls
One of the first things you want to try to restore your phone’s ability to make calls is to restart it.
It could be dealing with some random bug or glitch that prevents your phone from making calls.
If it doesn’t fix this particular error, there are a lot more steps that you can take to figure out what’s wrong with your phone.
Solution #1: Perform Basic Troubleshooting Steps Related to Calling
If restarting your device does not resolve your issue of not making calls on your SafeLink phone, there are a few things you can do.
There are a few basic troubleshooting steps that you don’t want to miss, as these have the potential to resolve your calling issue in a quick fashion.
Here are the basic troubleshooting steps that you need to perform:
- Move to an area that offers a better signal.
- Turn on Airplane Mode, then turn it off again.
- Switch Off Do Not Disturb Mode on your phone.
- If you recently installed call blocking apps, uninstall them.
- Remove your SIM card and reinsert it again.
Note: After performing each of the steps here, you will want to try calling someone to confirm that your phone can now make calls.
Solution #2: Switch on VoLTE on Your SafeLink Phone
SafeLink has upgraded its entire network to the current standard. This brand-new network offers clearer calls and gives you the capability to use the internet while you’re calling.
The new standard that SafeLink is using is called VoLTE, and phones give you the capability to turn it on or off.
If you’re using a fairly recent phone bought within the past couple of years, you should have no issues with VoLTE. However, you will need to switch it on, as it can be disabled in the settings.
Here’s how to turn on VoLTE on your phone:
On iPhones:
- Go to your phone’s Settings.
- Tap on Cellular, then Cellular Data Options.
- Select Enable LTE Settings.
- Go to Mobile Data, then Enable LTE.
- Choose the Voice and Data option.
On Android:
- Open your phone’s Settings.
- Go to Network and Internet.
- Select Mobile Network, then Preferred Network Type.
- Choose 4G Preferred.
- Toggle the Enable VoLTE switch to turn it on.
Note: If you don’t have a VoLTE-enabled phone, you will need to get one that supports it.
Solution #3: Check if the Number Is Not In Your Block List
One of the things that you should do if your phone is unable to make calls is to check your block list.
Blocking numbers should keep those numbers from contacting you, but you’ll also have a hard time calling them.
You want to make sure that the number you’re calling is not part of your block list.
If it is, you will have to clear out your block list or delete that particular number so you can contact them.
Here’s how to unblock a number from your block list:
On iPhone:
- Open your phone’s Settings app.
- Navigate to the Phone app and tap on it.
- Go to Blocked Contacts.
- Choose the number you want to unblock and swipe left.
On Android:
- Go to the Phone app.
- Tap on the More icon at the top right.
- Select Settings, then Blocked Numbers.
- Find the number you want to unblock.
- Tap Clear, then Unblock.
Solution #4: Disable the SIM Card on Your Phone
Disabling the SIM card on your phone will allow it to refresh its connection with SafeLink.
Of course, removing the SIM from your phone would be quicker, as this will have a similar outcome.
However, if you don’t have access to an eject tool or a pin, this is the more convenient way to do it.
All it takes to disable your SIM card is to change it up on your phone’s settings.
You want to temporarily cut off your phone’s connection with the SIM and restore it after a couple of minutes.
Here’s how to disable the SIM card on your phone:
On iPhone:
- Go to your phone’s Settings app.
- Select Cellular.
- Choose Cellular Plans.
- Select the SIM you want to disable.
- Tap on Turn Off this Line.
On Android:
- Open your phone’s Settings.
- Go to the SIM Settings option.
- Find the SIM you want to disable.
- Switch the toggle to the Off position.
Note: After disabling the SIM card, you will have to wait for at least 2 minutes before activating it again to regain your phone’s connection to SafeLink’s towers.
Solution #5: Reboot Your Device to Safe Mode (Android Only)
One way to know if any software is interrupting your phone’s operation is to reboot it to Safe Mode.
Doing this will reload your phone with only the most basic configurations.
The apps your phone will load are only the essential ones it needs to power on and perform its basic functions.
If you recently installed an app and want to know if it’s the culprit why your phone is not making calls, this will verify that suspicion.
However, this step is only available for Android devices as Apple does not have a way to do Safe Mode.
Here’s how to reboot your Android device to Safe Mode:
- Switch off your phone.
- Press the Power button to turn it on.
- Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons as your phone starts up.
- Keep on holding it until the start-up animation ends.
- Look for Safe Mode at the bottom of the screen.
Note: To leave Safe Mode and boot your phone up regularly, you will need to press and hold Power and Volume Up, then select Restart.
Solution #6: Reset Your Phone’s Network Settings
Finally, if none of these steps seem to work and you can’t still make calls on your phone, you’ll want to reset it’s network settings.
It’s a step short of restoring it to factory settings, but this step is only concerned with clearing your network settings.
This means that all configurations, especially the ones for your phone network, will be reverted.
Here’s how to reset your phone’s network settings:
On iPhone:
- Go to your phone’s Settings.
- Select General.
- Choose Reset iPhone.
- Tap on Reset.
- Select Reset Network Settings on the pop-up that appears.
On Android:
- Open your phone’s Settings.
- Go to System, then Advanced.
- Select Reset Options.
- Tap on Reset Network Settings.
Tip: Allow your phone to download SafeLink’s latest carrier settings, which is automatic after you reset your phone’s network settings.
Updating your phone’s software to the latest version also helps in restoring issues with your carrier.
If all else fails, you can also reset your phone to factory defaults so you can start from a clean slate.
The easier way to resolve this would be to contact SafeLink customer support so they can help you figure out how to allow your phone to make calls again.
Read Next: How Can I Upgrade My SafeLink Phone for Free?
Bottom Line
Now that you know the reasons and fixes to why is my SafeLink phone not making calls, you can follow these steps to resolve it.
The steps are relatively easy, and you don’t need any technical expertise to understand what you’re going to do.
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.