Why can I receive calls but not make them?

Usually because something is blocking only outgoing calls: no prepaid credit or an overdue bill, call barring, Fixed Dialing Numbers, the wrong SIM selected for calls, an app that blocks outgoing calls, or Family Link restrictions. Check the phone settings first, then contact your carrier about your account and any barring on the line.

Why can't I make outgoing calls on my Android phone?

Start with airplane mode, a 30-second power-off and the SIM set for calls. If calls still fail, check your balance or account, call barring, Fixed Dialing Numbers, Settings → Apps → Default apps → Call redirecting app, and Wi-Fi calling or VoLTE.

Can call barring stop outgoing calls but not incoming ones?

Yes. Under the mobile standard, barring all outgoing calls stops every outgoing call except emergency calls and leaves your ability to receive calls unaffected. Barring international calls stops only international calls.

Can Fixed Dialing Numbers stop me from making calls?

Yes. When FDN is on, the phone can call only the numbers on the FDN list, plus emergency numbers. Incoming calls aren't affected. Turning it off needs the SIM's PIN2.

Will I still get calls if I have no credit?

Often yes. Many carriers keep incoming calls working while outgoing calls stop until you top up, but check your carrier's own terms.

Does blocking a number stop me from calling it?

Android's built-in block list is described as stopping calls from that number. It isn't described as stopping your calls to it. To stop yourself calling a number, you need a separate outgoing call blocker such as NoDial.

Can Family Link block my child's outgoing calls?

Yes, on phones running Android 14 or later. A parent can limit calls to contacts they add, under Controls → Contacts, calls & text → Allowed calls & texts. Emergency calls aren't affected, and Downtime schedules don't stop calls.

Why do calls fail only on Wi-Fi?

Most likely Wi-Fi calling. Turn it off (on a Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Wi-Fi calling; on a Galaxy: Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Calling) and try again, or try another Wi-Fi network.

Can Receive Calls but Can't Make Calls on Android? 10 Causes and How to Fix Each

NoDial Editorial ／ 2026-10-04

Your phone rings and you can answer, but when you try to call out, nothing connects: the call ends straight away, you hear a message, or the phone shows an error. Because incoming calls still work, your phone and your SIM are clearly alive, which rules out a lot. What's left is a short list of settings, account issues and apps that stop only the calls you make. This guide goes through each one, how to tell which applies to you, and how to fix it on Android.

If your phone shows the word "barred," start with Call Barred Meaning. If you were trying to turn call barring on or off and got an error, see Call Barring Not Working.

Current as of October 2026. Menu names are taken from Google's Pixel help, Samsung's and Motorola's official support pages, and carriers' model-by-model guides. They differ by phone maker, Android version and carrier, so treat them as a map of where to look.

1. The short answer

When incoming calls work but outgoing calls don't, the cause is usually something that blocks only outgoing calls. The mobile standard defines several of these on purpose. Barring all outgoing calls leaves "no outgoing set-up possibilities, except emergency calls," while the subscriber's ability to receive calls "remains unaffected." Fixed Dialing Numbers works the same way: only numbers on the list can be called, and incoming calls aren't affected. Carriers can also limit a line to incoming calls only, for example when a bill is unpaid.

KEY POINT

Try the quick fixes first: turn airplane mode on and off, power the phone off for 30 seconds, and check which SIM is set for calls. If calls still won't go out, check, in this order: your credit or account status, call barring, Fixed Dialing Numbers, any app that can block calls, then Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE.

Cause	Blocks incoming too?	Where to fix it
Airplane mode, no signal	Yes	Phone
Wrong SIM for calls (dual SIM)	No	Phone
No credit, unpaid bill, partial suspension	Often no	Carrier
Call barring (outgoing)	No	Phone or carrier
Fixed Dialing Numbers (FDN)	No	Phone (needs PIN2)
An app that blocks outgoing calls	No	Phone
Family Link call restrictions	Yes, from numbers not on the list	Parent's Family Link
Wi-Fi calling or VoLTE problem	Sometimes	Phone, then carrier
Phone app problem	Sometimes	Phone
Wrong number format (international)	No	Phone

2. Narrow it down: which calls fail?

Before changing any settings, try calling two or three different numbers: one in your contacts, one you type in by hand, and, if it applies, an international number. Which calls fail tells you where to look.

What you see	Most likely causes
No outgoing call connects	Airplane mode or no signal (1), wrong SIM (2), account or credit (3), barring of all outgoing calls (4), Wi-Fi calling or VoLTE (8), Phone app (9)
Only some numbers can be called	Fixed Dialing Numbers (5), an app or Family Link limiting who you can call (6, 7)
One particular number fails	The number is stored in the wrong format (10), an app blocking that number (6), or a problem on the other person's side
Only international calls fail	Barring of international calls (4), number format (10), an app blocking international calls (6)
Calls fail only on Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi calling (8)

Emergency numbers are a special case. Call barring, Fixed Dialing Numbers and Family Link all leave emergency calls working, so being able to reach emergency services doesn't rule any of them out.

3. The 10 causes and how to fix each

1. Airplane mode, no signal, or a phone that needs a restart

Airplane mode turns off all wireless communication, including cellular calls, and standard Android shows "Turn off airplane mode to make a call." It usually stops incoming calls too, so if calls are still coming in, it's rarely the cause, but it's the fastest thing to rule out. Turn airplane mode on, wait a few seconds, and turn it off again.

Google's Pixel help suggests a full power-off rather than a restart: power the phone off, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. Samsung and Motorola also list restarting as a first step. If you have weak signal, move to a spot with better reception and try again. On a Pixel, Google's tip is to turn off Wi-Fi and look at the signal bars, so you see mobile signal on its own.

2. The wrong SIM is set for calls (dual SIM)

On a phone with two SIMs or an eSIM, calls can go out on a SIM that has no plan, no credit or no signal while the other SIM still receives calls normally. Check which SIM is set for calls:

Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → under "Your primary SIMs," tap Calls and pick the SIM (or "Ask every time").
Samsung Galaxy: Settings → Connections → SIM card manager (called SIM manager on newer phones) → choose the preferred SIM for calls.

Google notes that with two SIMs you may see errors such as "Voice unavailable." Setting it to ask every time is a simple way to check whether one SIM works and the other doesn't.

3. No credit, an unpaid bill, or a suspended line

This is a frequent reason for "incoming yes, outgoing no." On prepaid, a Vodafone UK guide puts it plainly: with no credit on your prepaid card, "you can't make calls until you've topped it up." Incoming calls often keep working: Jersey carrier JT, for example, says that on pay as you go "You'll still receive calls and texts, but you'll need to top up." Check your own carrier's terms.

On a monthly plan, a carrier may limit the line when a bill is overdue. T-Mobile in the US describes a partial suspension in which you keep your number and receive calls, but can't make outbound calls (except a few numbers such as its customer service and emergency services). A full suspension stops both. Check your balance or account in your carrier's app, or contact your carrier, before you change anything on the phone.

4. Call barring is turned on

Call barring is a carrier service that stops chosen types of calls on your line. The outgoing types are all outgoing calls, all international calls, and international calls except to your home country. Barring all outgoing calls stops everything except emergency calls and has no effect on incoming calls, which matches the symptom exactly. If only international calls fail, international barring is a strong candidate.

Barring may have been turned on with a code, from the phone's call settings, or by your carrier. On many phones, the setting is under Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Calling accounts → your SIM → Call barring; on Samsung Galaxy phones it's under Supplementary services. To turn it off you need the barring password, and if your carrier placed the bar, only your carrier can remove it. For the full steps, see Call Barred Meaning (how to check and remove it) and Call Barring Codes (codes and password).

5. Fixed Dialing Numbers (FDN) is on

Fixed Dialing Numbers is a SIM setting that lets the phone call only the numbers on a list. The SIM standard says that when FDN is enabled, the phone "shall only allow outgoing calls" to numbers on that list. Emergency calls still work, and so do incoming calls, so the symptom is "some numbers or no numbers can be called, but calls come in."

Pixel (EE's guide for the Pixel 5): Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Calling accounts → your SIM → Fixed dialling numbers → Disable FDN.
Samsung Galaxy (EE's guide for the Galaxy S22 Ultra): Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Supplementary services → Fixed dialling numbers → Disable FDN.

Turning it off asks for the SIM's PIN2, a second code separate from the PIN you use to unlock the SIM. Defaults differ by carrier, so check your carrier's help page rather than guessing. If you didn't set FDN up yourself and don't know the PIN2, contact your carrier. More on how it works: Fixed Dialing Numbers (FDN) on Android.

6. An app is blocking outgoing calls

Android lets one app at a time act as the "call redirecting app." Android describes this role as for apps that forward outgoing calls, and the same role also allows an app to cancel an outgoing call before it is placed. Outgoing call blockers, including NoDial, use it. If a call is cancelled this way, it never reaches your carrier.

To check which app has this role on phones close to stock Android, go to Settings → Apps → Default apps → Call redirecting app. Choose "None" and try the call again. If it now goes through, that app was stopping it. On other phones, look for the same entry in the default apps settings. An app built for this usually tells you when it stops a call: NoDial, for example, shows a "Call blocked" notification (if notifications are allowed).

Other apps, such as security or call management apps, can also get in the way. Samsung lists call-blocking features among the causes of call problems, and Motorola suggests safe mode to test whether an app you installed is the problem. In safe mode, apps you downloaded are temporarily turned off. If calls work there, remove recently installed apps one at a time.

A note on Android's built-in block list (Phone → Settings → Blocked numbers): Google's help and Android's developer documentation describe it as stopping calls from a number. They don't describe it as stopping your calls to that number, so it isn't the usual explanation for outgoing calls failing.

7. Family Link limits who you can call

If the phone is managed with Google Family Link, a parent can limit calls. In Family Link, under Controls → Contacts, calls & text → Allowed calls & texts, a parent can restrict calls to contacts they add. This works on phones running Android 14 or later, applies to ordinary phone calls in Google's Phone app, and doesn't affect emergency services. If you're the parent, check this setting. If you're using the phone, ask the parent who manages it.

Family Link's Downtime and School time schedules don't stop calls: Google's help says that during Downtime, "Calls are always available." Google's Digital Wellbeing tools, such as app timers, Bedtime mode and Focus mode, aren't described as blocking phone calls either.

8. Wi-Fi calling or VoLTE (4G calling) is misbehaving

Modern phones place calls over 4G (VoLTE) or over Wi-Fi, and a fault in either can make calls fail. Turning the setting off and on, or off for a test call, is a quick check:

Pixel Wi-Fi calling: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Wi-Fi calling.
Pixel VoLTE: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → your SIM → VoLTE. Google's help says that if you experience unusual call issues, turn VoLTE off.
Samsung Galaxy Wi-Fi calling: Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Calling.

If calls fail only on Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi calling is the likely cause. Try turning it off, or try a different Wi-Fi network.

A related cause: many carriers have shut down their 3G networks. The US Federal Communications Commission warned that, after these shutdowns, many older phones "will be unable to make or receive calls," including 4G phones that don't support VoLTE. This usually breaks incoming calls too, but if your phone is old or imported and calls stopped after a network change, ask your carrier whether your model supports VoLTE on its network.

9. The Phone app itself has a problem

If signal, SIM and account all check out, the Phone app may be the issue:

Check the default phone app: Settings → Apps → Default apps → Phone app. If you installed another dialer, make sure the one you use is set as the default.
Clear the Phone app's cache: on a Galaxy, Settings → Apps → Phone → Storage → Clear cache. Clearing the cache only removes temporary data. Avoid Clear storage (Clear data) unless you need to: Google's help notes that it permanently deletes all of the app's data.
Update: Samsung lists outdated software among the causes, so install any pending system and Phone app updates.

10. The number is in the wrong format

If one number, or every international number, fails, check how it's written. For an international call, start with + (or your country's international prefix) followed by the country code. AT&T's guide, for example, says to press + or 011, then the country code. A number saved without its country code may work at home but fail abroad, or the other way round.

Google's Phone app has a setting called Assisted dialing that adds country codes automatically when you're abroad (Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Calls → Assisted dialing). If it adds the wrong code, set the default home country there or turn it off and type the full number yourself.

4. Still not working: reset mobile network settings

If none of the above helps, resetting the phone's mobile network settings returns them to their defaults without erasing your photos or apps:

Pixel: Settings → System → Reset options → Reset mobile network settings. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have a separate option, Reset Bluetooth & Wi-Fi, which deletes your saved Wi-Fi networks.
Samsung Galaxy: Settings → General management → Reset → Reset mobile network settings. Samsung describes this as the best option for network problems, "such as issues with calling or messaging."

Settings you changed yourself, such as the preferred SIM, may need to be set again afterwards.

5. What to tell your carrier

Account suspensions, a bar your carrier placed, and network-side problems can only be fixed by your carrier. You'll get a faster answer if you tell them:

That incoming calls work but outgoing calls don't: this points them to account status and barring rather than coverage.
Which calls fail (all, international only, certain numbers) and the exact message or tone you hear.
That you've already checked airplane mode, the SIM used for calls, Fixed Dialing Numbers, apps that can block calls, and Wi-Fi calling.
To check whether any call barring or outgoing restriction is on the line. Use those exact words.

6. If you want some calls not to go out

Everything above is about getting outgoing calls working again. Some people arrive here from the opposite direction: they want certain calls never to go out, and found out while searching that call barring and Fixed Dialing Numbers can do it. Both work, but both are blunt. Call barring depends on your carrier and a password your carrier controls, and Fixed Dialing Numbers needs PIN2 and stops every number not on its list.

NoDial is an Android app that blocks outgoing calls on the phone itself, without touching your carrier's settings or password. You choose which numbers, calls to other countries (except ones you allow), or every outgoing call. For specific numbers and for all outgoing calls, you also choose how: always, on set days and hours, or up to a limited number of calls per day, week or month; the international block is simply on or off. Unblocking a specific number takes effect an hour after you ask, so a block you set on purpose isn't lifted the moment you change your mind (apart from a one-time fix for a mistyped number; turning off the all-calls or international block is immediate); emergency numbers can never be added to the list; and it works the same way no matter which carrier you're on. NoDial does not touch incoming calls — it only blocks the calls you make.

For the options side by side: How to Block Outgoing Calls to a Specific Number on Android, How to Block International Calls on Android, and How to Block All Outgoing Calls on Android.

7. FAQ

Why can I receive calls but not make them?: Usually because something is blocking only outgoing calls: no prepaid credit or an overdue bill, call barring, Fixed Dialing Numbers, the wrong SIM selected for calls, an app that blocks outgoing calls, or Family Link restrictions. Check the phone settings first, then contact your carrier about your account and any barring on the line.
Why can't I make outgoing calls on my Android phone?: Start with airplane mode, a 30-second power-off and the SIM set for calls. If calls still fail, check your balance or account, call barring, Fixed Dialing Numbers, Settings → Apps → Default apps → Call redirecting app, and Wi-Fi calling or VoLTE.
Can call barring stop outgoing calls but not incoming ones?: Yes. Under the mobile standard, barring all outgoing calls stops every outgoing call except emergency calls and leaves your ability to receive calls unaffected. Barring international calls stops only international calls.
Can Fixed Dialing Numbers stop me from making calls?: Yes. When FDN is on, the phone can call only the numbers on the FDN list, plus emergency numbers. Incoming calls aren't affected. Turning it off needs the SIM's PIN2.
Will I still get calls if I have no credit?: Often yes. Many carriers keep incoming calls working while outgoing calls stop until you top up, but check your carrier's own terms.
Does blocking a number stop me from calling it?: Android's built-in block list is described as stopping calls from that number. It isn't described as stopping your calls to it. To stop yourself calling a number, you need a separate outgoing call blocker such as NoDial.
Can Family Link block my child's outgoing calls?: Yes, on phones running Android 14 or later. A parent can limit calls to contacts they add, under Controls → Contacts, calls & text → Allowed calls & texts. Emergency calls aren't affected, and Downtime schedules don't stop calls.
Why do calls fail only on Wi-Fi?: Most likely Wi-Fi calling. Turn it off (on a Pixel: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Wi-Fi calling; on a Galaxy: Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Calling) and try again, or try another Wi-Fi network.

8. Summary

SUMMARY

If incoming calls work but outgoing calls don't, look for something that blocks only outgoing calls: your account or credit, call barring, Fixed Dialing Numbers, the SIM set for calls, an app or Family Link. Rule out the phone-side causes first, then ask your carrier specifically about barring and outgoing restrictions on your line.

Quick fixes first: airplane mode on and off, power off for 30 seconds, check the SIM set for calls.
No credit or an overdue bill often stops outgoing calls while incoming calls keep working.
Outgoing call barring and Fixed Dialing Numbers both block outgoing calls only, and both leave emergency calls working.
An app can stop outgoing calls: check Default apps → Call redirecting app, or test in safe mode.
Calls failing only on Wi-Fi point to Wi-Fi calling. Unusual call problems on 4G point to VoLTE.
If you want to stop calls to chosen numbers on purpose, NoDial does it on the phone, without a carrier or a password.

NoDial: block calls to the numbers you choseNo barring password, no carrier call.

Sources

Google Pixel Phone Help, "Fix mobile connectivity issues" (airplane mode, power off for 30 seconds, signal check with Wi-Fi off, Wi-Fi calling, VoLTE, resets) support.google.com
Samsung Gulf, "Galaxy device can't make or receive calls?" (airplane mode, call-blocking features, carrier account issues, outdated software, clearing the Phone app cache) samsung.com
Motorola Help, "Can't make calls" (restart, clear the Phone app cache, safe mode) help.motorola.com
AOSP, packages/services/Telephony res/values/strings.xml (incall_error_power_off: "Turn off airplane mode to make a call.") android.googlesource.com
Google Pixel Phone Help, "How to use dual SIMs on your Google Pixel phone" (SIMs → Your primary SIMs → Calls) support.google.com
Samsung Philippines, "How to use or manage dual SIM cards" (SIM card manager, preferred SIM for calls) samsung.com
Vodafone UK device guide, "I can't make voice calls" (no credit on a prepaid card) vodafone.co.uk
JT, Pay as you go (Jersey) ("You'll still receive calls and texts, but you'll need to top up") jtglobal.com
T-Mobile, "Account suspensions" (partial suspension: receive calls but no outbound calls; full suspension) t-mobile.com
3GPP TS 22.088, "Call Barring (CB) supplementary services; Stage 1" (barring of all outgoing calls: "no outgoing set-up possibilities, except emergency calls"; the ability to receive calls "remains unaffected"; barring of international calls) 3gpp.org
Samsung Gulf, "How to use call barring on a Samsung phone" (Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Supplementary services → Call barring) samsung.com
Android Developers, DisconnectCause (CALL_BARRED: "Call was blocked by call barring"; FDN_BLOCKED: "Call was blocked by fixed dial number") developer.android.com
3GPP TS 31.102, "Characteristics of the Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) application" (with FDN enabled, the phone "shall only allow outgoing calls" to numbers on the list) 3gpp.org
EE device guides: Google Pixel 5, "It's not possible to make voice calls" (Fixed dialling is turned on; "Incoming calls aren't affected") and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, "Turning fixed dialling on or off" Pixel 5 / Galaxy S22 Ultra
Android Developers, CallRedirectionService (an app can redirect or cancel an outgoing call) developer.android.com
AOSP, PermissionController res/xml/roles.xml and res/values/strings.xml (android.app.role.CALL_REDIRECTION: one app at a time, "Call redirecting app", option for none) android.googlesource.com / android.googlesource.com
Google Phone app Help, "Block or unblock a phone number" (blocked numbers are declined when they call you) support.google.com
Android Developers, BlockedNumberContract ("Messages, and calls from blocked numbers are discarded by the platform.") developer.android.com
Google For Families Help, "Set up your child's contacts" (Allowed calls & texts; Android 14 or later; emergency services not affected) support.google.com
Google For Families Help, Downtime and School time schedules ("Calls are always available.") support.google.com
Android Help, "Manage how you spend time on your Android phone with Digital Wellbeing" support.google.com
Google Phone app Help, "Make calls over Wi-Fi" support.google.com
Google Pixel Phone Help, "Use VoLTE on your Pixel phone" (turn off VoLTE if you have unusual call or text issues) support.google.com
Samsung US, "Turn on Wi-Fi Calling on Galaxy phones" (Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Calling) samsung.com
FCC, "Plan Ahead for Phase Out of 3G Cellular Networks and Service" (archived; older phones and 4G phones without VoLTE) fcc.gov
Google Pixel Phone Help, "Set or clear default apps" (Settings → Apps → Default apps) support.google.com
Android Help, "Free up storage" (Clear cache deletes temporary data; Clear storage permanently deletes all app data) support.google.com
Samsung US, "Clear the app cache and data on your Galaxy phone or tablet" samsung.com
AT&T, "Call and text internationally" ("Press + or 011", then the country code) att.com
Google Phone app Help, "Change call settings" (Assisted dialing) support.google.com
Samsung Canada, "How to reset your Samsung Galaxy with 5 different methods" (Reset mobile network settings) samsung.com

Menu names, codes and which services are offered vary by phone maker, Android version and carrier. Check your carrier's own help pages if a step does not match what you see.