Why is my phone stuck on emergency calls only?
Why is my phone stuck on emergency calls only?
I’ve been having an issue with my phone recently where it gets stuck on ’emergency calls only.’ I’m not sure why this is happening, but it has rendered my phone practically useless for making regular calls or texts. I’ve tried restarting my device multiple times, but it hasn’t resolved the problem. The signal bars sometimes appear full, yet I still can’t make any calls except for emergency ones. The problem seems to persist no matter where I am, whether at home, work, or on the go. This is causing a lot of frustration as I rely on my phone heavily for both personal and professional communication. Has anyone else experienced this issue, and what could be the potential reasons behind my phone being stuck on emergency calls only?
7 Answers
An app or a conflict with a phone setting can sometimes cause ’emergency calls only.’ To isolate this: 1. Boot your phone into Safe Mode (hold the power button, then long press ‘Power off’ for Safe Mode). 2. Check if the problem persists in Safe Mode. If not, an app might be the issue. 3. Uninstall recently installed apps one by one to find the culprit. This method helps identify if an app or setting is behind your phone being stuck on emergency calls only.
Frequent travelers might experience this issue due to mobile network settings, especially after changing locations or countries. Here’s what to check: 1. Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks. 2. Ensure you’re connected to the correct network mode (e.g., LTE / WCDMA / GSM). 3. Turn on data roaming if you’re outside your usual country. 4. Manually select your carrier from the list in settings. Adjusting these options can instantly restore regular call capabilities.
Another reason might be the phone’s network type settings. Follow these steps: 1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile network. 2. Tap on ‘Preferred network type.’ 3. Ensure it’s set correctly (usually LTE for modern phones). Correcting the network type in settings can resolve the issue quickly.
Software glitches or outdated firmware can also cause your phone to get stuck on ’emergency calls only.’ Here’s how you can try to fix it: 1. Connect your phone to Wi-Fi. 2. Navigate to Settings > System > System updates. 3. Check for and install any available software updates. If updating doesn’t help, consider a factory reset: 1. Back up your data. 2. Go to Settings > System > Reset > Factory data reset. This can eliminate persistent software issues causing the network problem. Remember to back up your important data first!
In some cases, hardware issues are the culprit, particularly with the phone’s antenna or internal components. Try these steps before seeking professional help: 1. Restart your phone to fix temporary hardware glitches. 2. Check if your phone case is blocking the signal. 3. If no recent drops or impacts, it could be wear and tear. If these steps don’t help, consult a technician to check for hardware problems. They can diagnose and possibly fix the internal components causing the issue.
I used to face similar issues with my phone, and it turned out to be network-related. Sometimes networks undergo maintenance or outages, which can lead to your phone displaying ’emergency calls only.’ To confirm this: 1. Check another phone on the same network to see if it has the issue. 2. Contact your service provider to ask about any known outages. 3. Toggle airplane mode on for a minute, then off again to reconnect. This approach can quickly tell you if the problem is with your provider, and they might already be working to fix it.
One potential cause could be that your SIM card isn’t positioned correctly. This can happen if your phone gets dropped or bumped. Here’s what you need to do: 1. Turn off your phone. 2. Remove the SIM card using an ejector tool. 3. Check the SIM card for any visible damage, such as scratches or bending. 4. Reinsert the SIM card carefully, ensuring it’s secure in its slot. 5. Turn your phone back on. Often, this simple step resolves issues related to the SIM card being out of place.