How to Fix: iPhone Ringtone not Working

An iPhone not ringing when you receive a call can be frustrating and could lead to missed important calls. There are various reasons why your iPhone's ringtone may not be working as expected.

In this article, we'll explore common causes behind this issue and provide effective solutions to ensure your iPhone rings when you receive a call.

Part 1. Why is my iPhone not ringing?

You may ask,“ Why is my iPhone not ringing when someone calls or texts? ” Before looking for the solutions, you may firstly need to figure out the causes behinds the issue. And the followings are some common reasons.

⛔ Silent Mode: If your iPhone is in Silent or Do Not Disturb mode, it won't ring audibly.
⛔ Volume Settings: Incorrect volume settings or low volume levels can cause your iPhone not to ring audibly.
⛔ Custom Ringtones: If you've set a custom ringtone for specific contacts, make sure the chosen ringtone is functioning properly.
⛔ Software Glitches: Software bugs or glitches can occasionally affect the ringtone functionality.
⛔ Audio Output Issues: Problems with your iPhone's speaker or audio output can prevent the ringtone from playing.

Part 2. Fixes to iPhone ringtone not working

After knowing why your iPhone sound not working on calls, you may have found that it should not be a serious issue. Now, follow the effective solutions in this part to address the issue of your iPhone ringtone not working.

Fix 1. Quick check to iPhone ringtone not working

Before any troubleshooting, you may need to check your iPhone volume settings. Ensure that the volume of your iPhone is turned up. You can adjust the volume using the physical volume buttons on the side of your device or through the Control Center.

Besides, if your iPhone is connected to AirPods, headphones, or other Bluetooth devices, the ringtone might be playing through those devices instead of the iPhone's speakers. Remove any Bluetooth devices from iPhone and try again.

Fix 2. Check silent mode

On the left side of your iPhone, there's a small switch that enables you to turn on or off silent mode. Usually, when you switch to silent mode, you'll feel a gentle vibration without ringing, confirming that you haven’t set the mute button to silent.

You can also try to toggle the silent switch back and forth 2 or 3 times, and then check if your iPhone's ringtone returns to normal. This solution may seem unconventional, but it has proven to be effective in certain cases.

Fix 3. Check Do Not Disturb settings

Besides silent mode, the Do Not Disturb feature might be enabled, which will mute the ringtone. To avoid iPhone ringer not working cause by Do Not Disturb feature, you can follow the steps below to have a check and remove Do Not Disturb.

Open Settings on your iPhone > Scroll down to locate and tap Focus > Do Not Disturb > Toggle off the switch next to Do Not Disturb if it is enabled.

Fix 4. Force restart your iPhone

A hard reset is often a reliable solution for addressing various iPhone issues, including the ringtone not working on iPhone issue. It's important to note that the steps for performing a hard reset may vary slightly depending on the specific iPhone series you have.

iPhone 8 and later: Press and quickly release the Volume + button > Perform the same operation on the Volume - button > Press and hold the Side button and release when you see the Apple logo.
iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold both the Volume - button and the Power button > Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 6s or earlier: Press both the Power button and the Home button for seconds > Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

Fix 5. Reset all settings

If none of the previously mentioned solutions work, consider resetting all settings on your iPhone. This action clears adjustments and reverts them to their initial defaults, potentially resolving the issue of the iPhone not vibrating without causing data loss.

Step 1. Go to iPhone Settings > General > Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Step 2. Click Reset > Choose Reset All Settings. Enter your passcode and click Reset All Settings again to confirm your operation.

Fix 6. Check for iOS update

Please always remember to keep your iOS up to date. Sometimes, iPhone ringtone not working can be related to software bugs with old version of operating system. Check and update your iOS to the latest version can help.

To update your iOS, go to Settings > General > Software Update and follow the prompts if an update is available.

Conclusion

iPhone ringtone not working can be problematic, but by identifying the root causes and applying the appropriate fixes, you can resolve the issue and ensure that you never miss an important call again.

From checking your device's settings to ensuring proper audio output, these steps will help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue effectively. If the problem persists despite your efforts, consider seeking professional assistance to address any potential hardware issues.