My Phone Rings But I Can't Answer It - Help!

General Discussion
1

Issue Description

I’ve been having this strange problem with my Android phone lately. Whenever someone calls, I can hear the phone ringing, but the screen doesn’t show anything that lets me answer the call. It’s really frustrating, especially since I rely on my phone for important calls. I’ve tried a few things, but nothing seems to work.

Troubleshooting Steps Taken

Here are some of the steps I’ve already attempted:

  • Restarting the Phone: A simple restart sometimes fixes minor glitches, but it didn’t solve the issue this time.
  • Checking for Software Updates: I went into the settings to make sure my Android version is up to date. No updates were available, so that wasn’t the problem.
  • Clearing the Phone App Cache: I found instructions online to clear the cache for my phone app, thinking it might help. Unfortunately, it didn’t.
  • Safe Mode: I booted my phone into safe mode to see if a third-party app was causing the issue. While in safe mode, the problem still occurred.

Additional Details

  • Phone Model: Samsung Galaxy S21
  • Android Version: 13.0
  • Does it happen with all calls?: Yes, it seems to happen with every incoming call regardless of the caller.

Request for Help

If anyone has experienced this issue or knows of any other troubleshooting steps I could take, I would greatly appreciate your advice. It’s really inconvenient, and I’m not sure what else I can do.

Thanks in advance for any help!

2 Likes
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It sounds like a frustrating issue! Common hardware malfunctions could be causing this. Check if the volume buttons or power button are stuck, as they can affect call answers.

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I’ve also heard that touchscreen issues can sometimes prevent swiping to answer a call. Try cleaning the screen or removing any screen protector.

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Another possibility is a malfunction within the device itself. If your phone has been dropped recently, internal components might have been damaged, leading to such problems.

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Exactly! My friend had similar issues after his phone took a tumble, and it was a loose connection inside the device.

6

Don’t forget to check if there’s any software issue too. Sometimes, a simple restart or software update can resolve unexpected behaviors like this.

7

I had this happen to me before! It turned out to be a faulty home button, which couldn’t register my taps. A visit to the repair shop sorted everything out.

8 Likes
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True, but I feel like hardware is more often the culprit. Has anyone tried resetting their device? That might help!

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I think I experienced a similar issue with a previous phone. It resorted to the ol’ reboot magic. Sometimes, that’s just what we need!

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Did you ever figure out a long-term fix? I wouldn’t want to keep going to the repair shop for the same problem.

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Honestly, my suggestion would be to just pick up a new one. Dealing with hardware issues can be exhausting, especially if it’s frequent. Just sayin’!

6 Likes
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Have you checked your Do Not Disturb settings? It might be accidentally turned on, which can silence calls. Go to your settings and make sure it’s disabled!

13

Good point! I also suggest looking at app permissions. Sometimes, call management apps need specific permissions to work properly.

6 Likes
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If you’re using multiple messaging apps, be wary of conflicts. I’ve seen cases where a third-party app affected their ability to answer calls. Have you added any new apps recently?

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That’s true! Some apps have settings that overlap with your phone’s call features. It’s worth exploring their settings.

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It’s also essential to check for any updates available for your phone. Software bugs might cause such issues, and sometimes an update can fix everything!

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Exactly! And don’t forget to restart your phone after updates. It can help clear temporary glitches.

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Have you thought about turning your phone completely off and then back on? Sometimes, a good reboot does wonders. It’s basically the phone equivalent of a power nap!

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LOL, I love that analogy! But you might also want to check if calls are being routed somewhere strange.

4 Likes
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I wonder if it’s a network issue. Are you in an area with weak reception? That could also interfere with your ability to answer calls.