Does the screen on your phone display the message “Emergency Calls Only” and you’re wondering why? In this post, we will cover the common things that cause this message to display on your phone and not enable you to make normal calls.
1. Did you pay your bill?
Has it been a while since you paid your wireless carrier? If so, your carrier may have turned your service off. Ensure your wireless bill is paid and your phone should return to normal rather quickly.
2. Is your SIM Card seated properly?
If your SIM Card is not inserted or is not seated properly, it may cause your phone to only allow calls to 911. Ensure your SIM Card is securely inserted into the slot. It may not hurt to remove it and re-seat it.
The SIM card is very small. It is usually about the size of a fingernail and located somewhere near the battery or in an eject-able slot on the side. If you don’t know where the SIM card is located on your device, look for documentation for your device.
You may also want to try a different SIM card in the case that it is defective. You should be able to get a replacement SIM card from your wireless carrier for no charge.
Note: Not all devices use a SIM Card, but most these days do.
3. Have you restarted your phone?
If you haven’t tried to power down your phone yet, do so. Turn it off and let it sit for a few seconds before turning it back on.
4. Is there a Service interruption?
Sometimes there may be a problem with the carrier’s network that will cause your phone to not work properly. In some cases, the phone will display the “Emergency calls only” message by default.
5. Are you receiving a proper signal?
In some rare cases, your phone may display the “Emergency calls only” message when it can’t connect to a wireless tower on your network. It allows emergency calls because it is connected to a tower that is not a part of your wireless carrier’s network.
You may want to check to see if your phone has a setting that allows you to make calls while “Roaming”. If you do this, your wireless carrier may charge more for calls.
6. Last resort – Factory Reset
If you have tried all of the above items, and the “Emergency Calls Only” message still appears, you may want to try to factory reset your device. A factory reset will wipe all data from the memory of the phone. So be sure all data is backed up before proceeding with this option.
If you’re not sure how to factory reset your phone, look for documentation for your particular device or perform a Google search on the topic.
Buhle says
I tried restarting it but doesn’t want to work, tried to switch airplane mode then off still doesn’t want to work. What must i do
Brad says
Had this problem and the issue was the cell tower in the area was down
Pumeza Ntloko says
I have tried all of the above and even tried to insert it into another device but still it does not operate.
Ellie says
I did those many times and nothing worked what should I do
KH says
Just wanted to add my experience. I bought a prepaid Samsung Galaxy A20 phone and my carrier is Verizon prepaid. I switched phones with minimal problems. I was able to text/call without issue (tested to confirm). Remembered I had a microSD card and wanted to add it to my phone. My old phone I could remove the back with ease. With the new phone, there is a hole that you use a pin and push a button which opens a tab that includes the sims card and a microSD. Added the microSD, and didnt think anything of it. Now I noticed that I received the above alert. I found this page and restarted my phone. It did not work. I removed the sims card and it looks like it sat in the seat correctly. however, there was a smudge on the electrical side, so I used a electrical microcloth to wipe it down. inserted it back in and for now it works. I will keep an eye and see if moving m phone actually messes up how the sim card sits, and i dont know if the smudge was the problem, but it was definitely the sims card. I would try and remove, then replace the sims card to see if it works if restarting your phone does nothing.
Michelle says
I have tried all those things still nothing
Dorothy says
Interesting. I have free wifi at my new home but it sucks!
Annes says
I have restarted ph many times.. Re inserted sim many times.. But still showing same message.. What should i do
Paul says
Sim wasn’t seated properly, took it out, reseated it, all well now, many thanks.
RS says
This happened to me tonight :Windows /Nokia Lumia 950 Dual sim.
Only message I got was “emergency calls only”. So, I switched the phone off, removed the battery. Sim no.1 was loose,I re-seated it. I removed sim no.2
as it only had a couple of gbs on it ( the data was transferred to sim no.1 before removing). The battery was fully charged so I replaced the sim then the battery, then switched the phone on. Immediately, there was a message from Windows saying you sim is being repaired. The phone then restarted after a few seconds and there was the signal and the symboys.
I would suggest to anyone to treat this and related problems as you would with your PC – bach to the beginning , switch on/off then replace what has been removed , bit by bit, switch off the phone when finished and restart.
Nishant Nandan says
Sometimes, manually selecting from available network help. When traveling, sim doesn’t automatically connect. This is usual during foreign travels.
Louis says
I turn off the phone and re-start it . Amazingly ,it works
Thanks!!.
talent kamini says
restarting the phone miraculously did a perfect job…….
Wendy says
Have had emergency calls only for a month after changing providers. Vodaphone has charged me for leaving but have not provided aNUC number which is to unlock the phone. It is a nightmare.
Sandy Speechley says
Been without signal24hrs so annoying have done all battery out sim card out Virgin tell me when I called them on my landline the transmitter was being worked on don’t know if true or not very frustrating tho
Jane E Horten-Zimmer says
I am overseas and cannot call Telstra because it says emergency calls only. I am able to connect to the Internet when available but not use my own data which is unable to be used. I can’t receive SMS which caused problems when Eurostar connected to my debit card bank and I couldn’t receive the password. This mobile is Samsung 10 plus and was connected in May 2019. Telstra only give numbers to call when overseas but no other means. Do I purchase a local SIM card from a local carrier? I certainly will be seeking compensation when I return to Australia
Graham says
Hi I put a new sim card in phone yesterday and all I am getting now is emergency calls only .every time I try to ring out it says number not registered on network
Fatima manuel says
My phone has been wiped .SIM.was removed phone was restarted sometimes get incoming calls sometime go to voice mail on screen shows emergency calls only .is my phone faulty or my SIM please assist
maria says
somehow i ended up putting my phone in a puddle of water and now it doesnt want to stay on..i have another spare phone but how do i transfer everything to this phone and why does it say i can only make emergency calls only?HELP i know it cant be this difficult..tried switching sim cards and turning off phone..everything.
Omar el Abdellaoui says
Keezy says.
Try removing the SD card or remove the battery and SIM card and put it back in.
george says
I reestarted the phone and reset 2 times and still says emergency calls only, can some body help, I did everything I could and nothing happen.
Ranjana.khanfelwal says
Thanks a lot
Restarting the phone done the perfect job
Keezy says
My phone started off saying not configured and hanging up immediately. Just yesterday I was using it with no problems. My bill is not due & now its saying emergency calls only. I am on a samsung flip phone. Is there anything I can do about this?
John says
Turn off and restart did the job perfect. Thanks I was going crazy with this. Emergency calls only made me think ourprovider had shut up shop.
Manoj says
Sir may i on 4G network on my phone after my phone show emergency calls only why sir?
P.Ganesh says
How do we do a factory reset when phone is stuck with emergency calls even after restarting phone many times.
C walsh says
Yes, I know a lot more about the subject now
Shshid says
How you do a factory reset when phone is stuck with emergency calls only and asking for password.
Mitch Bartlett says
The SIM card is not active with your wireless provider.
Norm Dunn says
what does sim not provisioned MM#2 mean?