How to fix a Samsung phone that won't ring

⚡ Fast fix

• Silent mode on? Press Volume Up and make sure the phone isn’t set to Silent or Vibrate.
• Check Do Not Disturb. Go to Settings > Notifications > Do not disturb and turn it off.
• Look at Bluetooth. If you’re connected to earbuds or your car, the ringtone may be playing there.
• Restart your phone. A quick reboot can reset sound and notification glitches.

You pick up your Samsung Galaxy® and see five missed calls—even though the phone never rang. Frustrating, right? Before you assume the worst, know that silenced calls don’t always mean your phone is broken. There are plenty of simple reasons why your Samsung phone won’t ring, and most have quick fixes.

At Asurion, we help people troubleshoot their devices every day—whether your Samsung won’t turn on or your Android keyboard isn’t working. Here’s what to do if your Samsung phone isn’t ringing so you never miss an important call again.

Why your Samsung phone won't ring during calls

Common causes include:

• Ringer volume is turned down.
• Do Not Disturb or Airplane mode is on.
• Call forwarding is enabled.
• Bluetooth is paired with headphones or a speaker.
• Third-party ringtone bugs are interfering.
• Speaker port is clogged with dust or dirt.
• Malware or software glitches are disrupting audio.
• Physical damage to the phone or speaker.

Step 1: Check your phone for dust, dirt, and damage

Examine your phone for cracks or dents that may affect the speaker. Then look at the speaker port. If it’s dirty, gently clean it with compressed air or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol–check out our guide to correctly cleaning your Samsung Galaxy if you need more tips.

Step 2: Restart your phone

A restart can fix temporary glitches.

• Samsung: Press and hold the Power button, then tap Restart > Restart.
• Other Android: Press and hold the Power button, then tap Restart.

Step 3: Check your volume settings

If media sounds work but calls are silent, your ringtone volume may be too low.

• Samsung: Go to Settings > Sounds and vibration > Volume > Ringtone, then drag the slider up.
• Other Android: Go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Ring volume, then increase it.

Step 4: Turn off Silent or Do Not Disturb mode

Silent and Do Not Disturb mute calls until you switch them off.

• Samsung: Swipe down for Quick Settings, then tap the Do not disturb icon. Blue = on, gray = off.
• Other Android: Go to Settings > Notifications > Do not disturb, then tap Turn off now.

Step 5: Make sure Airplane mode is off

Airplane mode cuts off calls completely.

• Samsung: Swipe down to open Quick Settings and tap Airplane mode (should be gray when off).
• Other Android: Swipe down to check the Airplane mode toggle.

Step 6: Check Bluetooth

If paired with headphones or earbuds, your calls may ring there instead of on your phone.

• Samsung: Go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth, then turn it off.
• Other Android: Swipe down to toggle Bluetooth off.

Step 7: Remove third-party ringtones

Downloaded ringtones sometimes contain bugs. Switch back to a default tone:

1. Open Settings > Sounds and vibration > Ringtone.
2. Select one of the preloaded tones.
3. Tap OK or Save if required.

Step 8: Samsung phone only vibrates but doesn’t ring

If your phone only vibrates during calls, here’s how to fix it:

• Go to Settings > Sounds and vibration and make sure Sound is selected instead of Vibrate or Mute.
• Check Settings > Sounds and vibration and toggle off Vibrate while ringing. If this is on, your phone may vibrate without playing the ringtone.
• Increase Volume > Ringtone to ensure the sound isn’t too low.

Step 9: Complete a factory reset (last resort)

If nothing works, a factory reset may help. This erases your data and restores the phone to original settings. Be sure to back up your phone first.

• Go to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.

FAQ

Why is my Samsung phone not ringing when someone calls?

Common causes include low ringtone volume, Do not disturb mode, Airplane mode, or a Bluetooth connection. Start by checking these settings.

How do I fix my Samsung Galaxy that won’t ring?

Restart your phone, raise the ringtone volume, disable Do not disturb, and turn off Bluetooth. If that doesn’t work, switch back to a default ringtone.

Why does my Samsung only vibrate but not ring?

Check Settings > Sounds and vibration—if your phone is set to Vibrate or Mute, switch it back to Sound and adjust ringtone volume.

Can a dirty speaker cause my Samsung not to ring?

Yes—dust or debris in the speaker port can block sound. Clean it carefully with compressed air or a cotton swab.

What if my Samsung still won’t ring after troubleshooting?