Why Your Phone Keeps Hanging Up on Calls and the Best Solutions to Fix It

You’re on an important call—maybe sweet-talking customer support into giving you a discount, catching up with a long-lost friend, or trying to close a business deal—when suddenly… click. Your phone hangs up. Just like that. No warning, no courtesy, just betrayal.

So, what gives? Why does your phone keep hanging up on you like an ex who’s had enough? these include hardware issues, software bugs, network problems, excessive apps, or even call blocking. This article will explore all possible causes and their solutions.

1. Weak Signal Strength

Weak Network Signal Strength

First things first—check your signal. If you’re in a low-coverage area, your phone might struggle to maintain a call. Ever notice how calls drop more often in parking garages, elevators, or when you’re deep inside a building? That’s your phone desperately clinging to the nearest cell tower like a cat hanging off a curtain.

How to Fix It:

  • Move to a different spot, preferably near a window or outside.
  • Switch to Wi-Fi calling if your carrier supports it.
  • Consider a signal booster if weak reception is a constant struggle.

2. Your Phone’s Software is Acting Up

outdated phone software

Let’s not forget that your phone is basically a tiny computer, and like any computer, it can get glitchy. If your device hasn’t been updated in a while, or if there’s a software bug, it could be interfering with your calls.

Fix It Fast:

  • Check for system updates. Sometimes, an update can squash those annoying bugs.
  • Restart your phone. It sounds basic, but it works.
  • Clear cache and data from the Phone app (on Android) or reset network settings (on iPhone).

3. Your Phone is Overheating

Phones get hot—especially when you’re on a long call, streaming, or charging while using it. When they overheat, they sometimes shut down certain functions, including, you guessed it, phone calls.

How to Keep It Cool:

  • Remove your phone case if it’s overheating.
  • Avoid direct sunlight while using your phone.
  • If it feels too hot, let it cool down before making another call.

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4. Battery Issues

A weak battery struggles to power all components, leading to sudden shutdowns. iPhones with batteries below 80% health may throttle performance (check under Settings > Battery > Battery Health). Android users can use apps like AccuBattery to monitor health.

Quick Fixes:

  • Replace the battery if health is poor.
  • Avoid draining the battery to 0% regularly.
  • Turn off battery saver mode (it sometimes messes with network functions).

5. Your Network Provider Might Be Slacking

Sometimes, it’s not you—it’s them. If your carrier is experiencing network congestion (think rush hour, major events, or just bad coverage in your area), your calls might drop without warning.

What You Can Do:

Check for network outages using your carrier’s website or app.

Switch to a different carrier if the issue is persistent.

Use a different SIM card if you have a dual SIM phone.

6. Apps or Background Processes Are Interfering

Believe it or not, certain apps—especially VoIP apps like WhatsApp, Zoom, or even rogue background processes—can interfere with your phone’s calling functionality.

Try This:

  • Close unnecessary apps running in the background.
  • Restart your phone to kill any stubborn processes.
  • Check app permissions and disable apps that have unnecessary access to your call functions.

7. Your Phone is Just… Old

Hate to say it, but if your phone is several years old, it might just be struggling to keep up. Older hardware doesn’t always play well with modern networks, and sometimes, a call drop is just your phone’s way of saying, ”I’ve had enough.”

What’s Next?

  • If your phone is more than 3-4 years old, consider upgrading.
  • Try a factory reset as a last resort to see if it helps.

8. SIM Card or eSIM Problems

Your SIM card is like your phone’s ID badge—it connects you to your carrier. A damaged, dirty, or improperly inserted SIM can cause call issues.

Here’s the Fix:

  • Take out your SIM card, clean it, and reinsert it.
  • If using an eSIM, try removing and re-adding the profile.
  • Contact your carrier for a SIM replacement if needed.

9. Call Settings or Call Blocking Features

Ever messed with your call settings? Some call-blocking, spam filtering, or auto-hangup settings could be shutting down calls prematurely.

Check:

  • If you have call forwarding or blocking enabled.
  • If your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” mode is kicking in mid-call.
  • Your phone app settings for any weird auto-end call settings.

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10. Malware or Virus Attack

Malware can slow down your phone and cause unexpected issues, including call disconnections.

  • Some malicious apps run in the background and interfere with calls.
  • A hacked phone may behave unpredictably.

Fix: Run an antivirus scan and remove suspicious apps.

11. Storage Issues

Low storage slows down your phone and disrupts background processes. Both Android and iOS need at least 10% free space to function smoothly.

How to Fix:

  • Delete unused apps, photos, or videos.
  • Use cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud) to offload files.
  • Clear app caches (Android: Settings > Storage > Clean; iOS: Offload Apps).

12. Your Phone’s Proximity Sensor is Misbehaving

Ever noticed how your screen turns off when you bring your phone to your ear? That’s your proximity sensor at work. But if it’s faulty, it might think you hung up when you didn’t.

Fix It:

  • Clean your screen, especially around the front-facing camera.
  • Recalibrate the sensor (some phones allow this in settings).
  • Use speakerphone or a headset if the issue persists.

13. Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Interference

If your phone is connected to Bluetooth devices or Wi-Fi, they may cause interruptions. Bluetooth headsets or weak Wi-Fi signals might create issues. Disconnecting these devices and using the phone normally can test if they are causing the problem.

Why Does FaceTime Keep Hanging Up?

FaceTime calls rely on a stable internet connection. If your FaceTime calls keep hanging up, these could be the reasons:

  • Poor Wi-Fi or mobile data connection.
  • Outdated FaceTime app or iOS version.
  • Incorrect network settings.

Fix:

  • Check your internet speed and switch to a better network.
  • Update the FaceTime app and your iOS version.
  • Reset network settings by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

How to Fix Automatic Call Drops on Android and iOS

If your phone keeps hanging up by itself, try these solutions:

  1. Restart Your Phone – A simple restart can fix many issues.
  2. Charge Your Battery – Low battery can cause performance problems.
  3. Clear RAM and Storage – Remove unused apps and files to free up space.
  4. Update Software – Keeping your phone updated improves stability.
  5. Check Network Settings – Switch to a stable connection and reset network settings if needed.
  6. Scan for Malware – Use an antivirus app to detect threats.
  7. Replace Faulty Parts – If your phone has hardware issues, visit a technician.

When to Seek Professional Help

If none of these solutions work, it might be a hardware issue. A technician can diagnose the problem. Visiting an authorized service center is the best option. They can check for internal damage and provide repairs if needed.

FAQs

1. Can a phone case cause dropped calls?

Yes, some bulky or metal cases can interfere with your phone’s signal. Try removing the case to see if it helps.

2. Why does my phone drop calls only when using Bluetooth?

This could be due to interference or a faulty Bluetooth connection. Try disconnecting and reconnecting your Bluetooth device.

3. Do 5G networks cause more call drops?

Not necessarily, but if your phone is switching between 5G and 4G frequently, it might cause instability. Try locking your phone to one network type in settings.

4. Could a phone virus cause call drops?

Unlikely, but malware can affect performance. If you suspect an issue, run a security scan and remove suspicious apps.

5. Does using a VPN affect call quality?

Yes, a VPN can interfere with VoIP calls or Wi-Fi calling. If you experience issues, try turning off the VPN during calls.

Final Thoughts

Your phone may hang up during calls due to different reasons. It could be hardware failure, network issues, software bugs, malware, or even an overloaded system. By following the solutions in this guide, you can fix most call drop issues on both Android and iOS. If the problem continues, you may need professional repair or a phone replacement.