The quickest method to contact somebody is to simply give them a call. All you need to do is dial the number of the person you want to call.
But there’s a frequent issue related to phone calls that’s affecting many Android users. Namely, the call goes straight into the voicemail.
Troubleshooting Incoming Call Going To Voicemail
1. Check your call settings
If one of the following call settings is enabled, don’t be surprised if your incoming calls land directly into your voicemail:
- Call rejection or block
- Call barring
- Forward to voicemail
Obviously, to fix the issue, you need to disable these settings.
- Open the Phone app and click on the three-dot menu
- Go to Settings and tap Auto Reject List
- Remove the numbers you don’t really on the list
- Go back to Settings and click on the More button
- Select Call barring and disable all call barring settings
- Return once again to Settings and tap Call forwarding
- Select Voice call, and then Always forward
- Disable call forwarding
- Reboot your phone and check of the problem is gone.
If this issue is affecting a limited number of contacts, check the settings for each contact. Maybe the option to route incoming calls to voicemail is enabled for specific contacts.
Google Pixel phones
Pixel phones have a dedicated Google Voice Do Not Disturb (DND) mode that sends call to voicemail.
The feature is only available on Voice for G Suite accounts. Basically, all the calls received outside your working or office hours are routed straight to the voicemail.
Launch the Voice app, tap Menu, select Settings and then Do not disturb. Tap Calendar and check your working hour settings.
2. Disable Bluetooth
As surprising as this may seem, your Bluetooth could be the cause why your calls are landing straight into voicemail. Try disabling your Bluetooth connection and check if the problem persists.
The quickest way to turn off your Bluetooth is to use the two-finger gesture and swipe down from the top of your phone’s screen. Tap the Bluetooth icon to turn the feature off.
3. Re-insert your SIM card
Sometimes, taking your SIM card out and re-inserting it is the equivalent of a tried-and-tested reboot on PC.
Power your phone down and take out the SIM card. Insert it back and power up your phone. Wait one minute or two until the name or your carrier appears on the screen.
If you experience any service issues, have your carrier inspect your SIM. Maybe you need to replace it with a new one. Trying a new SIM may clear out the problem.
Don’t forget to check your network coverage with your carrier. The voicemail problem could be the result of network coverage issues that your carrier may be aware of.
Paul Garland says
Nokia 1.4 worked ok for about a month.. then all incoming went to VM..All my contacts are checked for ” do not send to vM” No settings direct any call to VM. A chat with Nokia support was fruitless. Have done all te fixes suggested,still incoming going to VM..Revertin to runner with cleft stick.
Barbara Crowder says
My android phone calls go straight to voice mail. Help!!!
Fiona says
A very simple one that someone may not realise is that if you go into your phone app settings and check block numbers – if you have selected Block unknown/private number your phone calls from doctor/hospital etc will go straight to voicemail without ringing as they are from a withheld number (UK)
Jenn says
2 1/2 hrs of my life I won’t get back wasted on ATT store and phone assistance they couldn’t figure out. Activated ATT Call protect, turned off their blocks and Like Magic, the phone works. The rep at the ATT store told me it may be a hardware issue…smh!
GV says
My Mom was having the same problem when she got a new Android “Motorola” brand phone using Verizon. She just solved the “problem” by watching the Motorola phone tutorial. Apparently her phone has a “feature” that is you lay the phone “FACE DOWN” it goes into a “DO NOT DISTURB” mode. She simply started laying it “FACE UP” and has been getting her calls ever sense. (Not sure if there is a toggle switch or what have you to disable this feature, but, this is all the information she shared with me. She’s just happy she’s getting her calls now!
Sam says
I have iPhone with Xfinity Mobile and calls were going straight to voicemail. They gave the run around for 3 days until finally the advanced team fixed it by “Reactivating the Wholesale CDMALESS”
Sam says
I have iPhone with Xfinity Mobile and call were going straight to voicemail. They game the run around for 3 days until finally the advanced team fixed it by “Reactivating the Wholesale CDMALESS”
Diana says
I’ve talked to 9 people from Verizon to fix this problem.It is noon and I’ve had 8 calls go straight to voice-mail and my phone never rang. I have no idea if it’s the towers or my phone. It just started when I got the s20 fe 5g. Changed the sim card that didn’t help. I’m on hold with Verizon again.
MA Weiss says
I’m finding that this is happening on a weekly basis. The “fix” is to reboot the phone and it receives calls again for a few days. However, a week later, it’s back to voicemail and no calls ringing through until I reboot the phone again.
Chris says
I see no answers for those that truly have a problem, like someone I know. It is not the carrier, not a blocked number, not the Bluetooth. Sometimes a phone gets into a “mode”, by itself. One code to try is: *73 — Cancel Call Forwarding.
Patricia says
I don’t have the settings listed in this article so no help. If I turn the phone off and then on again I get calls, but I never know when it’s going to screw up again. The only way I know I’ve received a phone call is by the voicemail message icon.
Kathy Kenna says
Still can’t fix my phone from going to voicemail
Turner says
Make sure voice mail is not blocked. I’m on Verizon and I had unwittingly blocked “*VM”, the shortcut to voice mail.
William Hearst says
When cell towers get overloaded, calls will go to voicemail because they can’t reach you due to tower overload.
It still amazes me that so many people “blame” the person doing something to their phone instead of putting blame on carrier.
Pamela Alari says
All my calls go to voicemail