Symptoms
- Phone never rings before going to voicemail
- Happens with all callers, not just one
- Phone shows low or no signal
- Started after enabling a new app or changing settings
Likely causes
- CommonDo Not Disturb mode enabledThis mode silences calls and can send them straight to voicemail by default.
- CommonNo cellular signalWithout signal, incoming calls are routed directly to voicemail.
- PossibleCall forwarding to voicemail turned onThis carrier setting reroutes all calls without ringing the phone first.
- PossibleCaller blocked in the Phone appA blocked number's calls are silently sent to voicemail.
- Less commonCarrier network or account issueA provisioning problem can misroute calls regardless of phone settings.
What to do
- Check and disable Do Not Disturb from the quick settings panel.
- Confirm the phone shows a cellular signal and is not in Airplane Mode.
- Open the Phone app, go to Settings > Blocked Numbers, and check if the caller is listed.
- Go to Phone app Settings > Call Forwarding and turn off any forwarding to voicemail.
- Restart the phone to refresh its network connection.
- Remove and reinsert the SIM card to rule out a loose connection.
- Test with a call from a different number to see if it's caller-specific.
- If the issue continues after checking settings, contact your carrier to check call routing on the account.
When to call a pro
If calls keep going straight to voicemail after checking every setting, your carrier needs to check routing on the account.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.