You’ve reached the end of a promising business call — only to realize you’ve been talking to yourself for the past few seconds. To make matters worse, this is the second time it’s happened, and you’re getting this close to drop-kicking your phone out the window.
Of course, dropped calls aren’t uncommon, but more than a couple per month should raise a red flag. This is especially true if you use your phone for business calls, communicating with customers, or collaborating with your team.
If dropped calls are becoming a pattern with your phone, you can use this guide to troubleshoot the problem. We explore 13 reasons why your calls might be disconnecting, plus how to ensure better quality in the future.
What is a dropped call?
A dropped call happens when a phone call unexpectedly disconnects. This can be due to signal issues or technical problems with the phone’s hardware and software.
If you’re curious to learn how this works behind the scenes, here’s a quick overview:
- Dialing a number starts the call setup procedure, which establishes a connection with your telecommunications network.
- If you’re using cellular data, your phone sends radio waves to a nearby cell tower. If you’re using a VoIP app, your network routes the call request through the internet.
- With data, your phone signal moves from tower to tower as you travel. With VoIP technology, you need to stay connected to an existing WiFi network.
If something interrupts this process — like disconnecting from the internet or driving through a low-signal area — your conversation might end in a dropped call.
This is mildly frustrating if you’re on a personal call but downright anxiety-inducing if you’re conducting a professional call.
What causes dropped calls?
There are five common reasons calls are dropped:
- Weak signal strength: If you’re far from cell towers, your signal might not be strong enough to keep you on a call. Large obstructions like buildings could also be a problem since they can interfere with radio waves and unexpectedly disconnect calls.
- Congestion: Much like road traffic, too many people on calls at the same time could lead to network congestion. This is more common in dense urban areas, especially during peak business hours.
- Device issues: Outdated software or older devices (such as those running on 3G) are more likely to experience dropped calls. Plus, hardware malfunctions like dropping your phone could cause problems that affect incoming calls.
- Carrier problems: Temporary outages, dead zones, or poor coverage in certain areas could disconnect existing calls. Keep in mind that users from all three major carriers — T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T — reported a 1.2x increase in connectivity issues in the first part of 2023 compared to previous years.
- WiFi interference: If you have dozens of devices using a single WiFi network, it might interfere with your VoIP/WiFi calling. If you max out your bandwidth, you’ll overload your internet connection, which will stop you from making or receiving calls.
No matter the issue, dropped calls are incredibly frustrating.
The good news is they’re usually fixable.
How to fix dropped calls if you’re using WiFi
If you’re using a VoIP provider or cloud-based phone system, here are some ways to troubleshoot dropped calls:
1. Check your app for weak connection alert
Most VoIP apps offer helpful notifications that let you know if there’s a problem with your network. OpenPhone, for example, uses the following popup to inform you of internet connection issues:
Not using OpenPhone? First, check whatever app you’re using to see if you’ve received a weak connection alert. If you haven’t received anything or if the app doesn’t support that functionality, look for the telltale signs of poor connectivity: jitter, low latency, and software crashes.
Currently an OpenPhone customer? You can use this guide to troubleshoot call issues.
2. Check internet speed
Problems with your internet speed can directly affect your WiFi calling. For example, if you’re using a public network, the WiFi speed is likely to be slower, and the extra traffic from other users and apps can significantly impact call quality.
To solve this, first check your WiFi speed using a tool like fast.com. Then see if it’s enough to support phone calls. The FCC recommends a minimum of 0.5 Mbps for WiFi calls, but this may not provide a high-quality connection. Instead, you should aim for around 3 to 4 Mbps download speed — enough to stream video — to rule out internet speed issues.
If your internet is spotty or not up to snuff, try switching to a different WiFi network. If your home WiFi is the issue, it might make sense to move your router to a better location.
3. Reboot your router or move it
You shouldn’t place your router just anywhere in your house — at least, not if you want the fastest internet speeds. Some rooms could have a better connection than others.
If you’ve already tried moving your router and don’t think that’s the issue, you can try rebooting your device. This process will look different depending on your router, but it usually takes five minutes or less.
If you still notice issues with jitter or slow speeds, it might be time to consider a WiFi extender.
4. Use a WiFi extender to improve coverage
WiFi extenders, sometimes called repeaters, help to expand your WiFi coverage. They boost WiFi signals to reach more remote parts of your building so you can make or receive calls from almost anywhere.
WiFi extenders can be found online and range from $25 to $100, with a boosting range of several hundred to several thousand feet. In other words, you won’t have to sit in that one corner of the basement to make business calls.
Keep in mind some routers have compatibility issues with extenders. Additionally, using an extender in large buildings with multiple floors may not be practical or cost-effective.
This leads to the next point:
5. Use an ethernet connection
If you want to make calls from your laptop or desktop, use an Ethernet connection instead of a WiFi network. While WiFi networks are convenient, wired connections generally offer better performance.
To put this in perspective, WiFi speeds typically reach only 30% to 40% of the speeds you can get with Ethernet. While WiFi can theoretically reach speeds of 6.9Gbps, Ethernet can easily reach 10Gbps or more.
If you regularly struggle with poor call quality and dropped calls, switching to a wired connection could make all the difference.
6. Contact your internet service provider
Already tried everything to stop your calls from dropping? Then it’s time to bring in the cavalry — your internet service provider.
You may have already reached out to them, but it’s worth contacting them again to see if they can help. You’re paying for their service and support, and if you’re not getting what you paid for, it might be time to consider switching providers.
How to fix dropped calls if you’re using cellular network data
Not using WiFi to make or receive calls?
First, check if your network supports 4G LTE or 5G. If you’re still using 3G, consider upgrading your phone, as 3G networks are outdated and can lead to poor call quality.
Then, try these troubleshooting tips:
1. Move to a less crowded area
Cell towers can only handle so much traffic at once. When the network is busier than usual (known as network congestion), it can be much harder to make or receive calls.
Network congestion isn’t always caused by too many people on calls. If users are running data-heavy applications like YouTube, you may notice poor call quality and connectivity issues.
If moving to a different location isn’t an option, try switching to WiFi. Most phones have a WiFi calling setting, and with a VoIP platform like OpenPhone, you can easily make calls through your phone, laptop, or tablet.
2. Get closer to a cell tower
If you can move away from congested areas, try getting closer to a cell tower. Staying within about 45 miles of a tower can dramatically improve your cell signal and reduce the chances of dropped calls.
Of course, finding a cell tower can be tough, depending on where you live. It might be helpful to download an app like Opensignal, which shows signal maps, helps you locate nearby cell towers, and identifies which side of your building has the strongest signal.
3. Move away from potential obstacles
Radio waves can struggle to penetrate enclosed spaces, such as office buildings, valleys, or heavily wooded areas. That’s why you might have spotty cell service in one corner of your home and crystal-clear audio everywhere else.
The easiest solution is to locate your nearest cell tower and move away from obstacles or features that might interfere with your signal.
Another option is to use network extenders, which work similarly to WiFi extenders. Cost-effective models are available for rural areas, and carrier-agnostic options work with any service provider.
4. Double-check your app settings
It only takes one incorrect phone setting to wreak havoc on your call quality. For example, if airplane mode is accidentally activated, you won’t be able to make or receive calls.
Not sure what else to check for? Here are a few things to start with:
- Make sure your phone’s date and time are up to date
- Check if your caller ID is active
- Keep an eye on the settings in your VoIP app (if you’re using one), as it could override or interfere with your calls
5. Check your SIM card
Your phone’s SIM card connects your device to a mobile network. It’s typically stored inside your mobile phone, so it rarely sees the light of day. However, it can still get damaged, especially if you switch SIM cards for work.
You can check your SIM card at home or take it to your carrier. If they notice issues like bends, chips, or scratches, they can help repair or replace it.
6. Update your phone’s operating system
Love your old phone? Hate the idea of buying a new device? Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that might be why your phone is dropping calls.
For one, older devices might not be compatible with newer operating systems, which are designed to fix bugs and improve processes like call connectivity. Additionally, your phone’s outdated hardware (including loose wiring and damaged connections) could cause its own set of issues.
The easiest fix is to keep your phone updated on the latest operating system. Enabling auto-updates is a great idea, especially if you use your phone for work.
If your phone is too damaged or costly to repair, it might be time to consider upgrading. Alternatively, you could rely on another device, such as a tablet or laptop, if you switch to a VoIP system.
7. Close your open apps
If your phone is running too many apps at once, it can use more processing power and slow down your cell service — potentially leading to dropped calls.
Fixing this is relatively easy:
- Run only your phone app (nothing else) while on calls
- Close apps that might be running in the background
- Reset your network settings after closing apps
If none of this works and you’re still dealing with dropped calls, consider switching to a VoIP service like OpenPhone. That way, you can avoid common connectivity issues by switching to WiFi calling whenever your signal is disrupted.
When to take action on dropped calls
Not all dropped calls are a big deal, especially if they happen once in a blue moon. But if you start noticing a pattern, it’s worth addressing.
Here are some signs it’s time to make a change:
- Dropped calls at the same time or day. This could indicate a bandwidth issue or data deprioritization, especially in busy urban areas.
- Consistent issues in certain locations. If dropped calls keep happening in your office or home, there could be issues with your carrier’s coverage or a weak signal in areas where you need to work.
- Frequent dropped calls impacting your business. Occasional dropped calls are one thing; losing 10 or 15 calls a week is a serious problem.
If any of these scenarios sound familiar, it’s time to call your service provider. If they can’t help, consider switching to a more reliable carrier or trying a VoIP provider like OpenPhone.
Ditch dropped calls with OpenPhone
Dropped calls are the bane of any business owner — and they can cost you, especially if they disconnect you from paying customers. While you can’t avoid the risk of occasional lost connections, you can minimize it by choosing a reliable VoIP service provider.
With OpenPhone, you can make and receive unlimited calls in the US and Canada from anywhere with a WiFi connection. Plus, with 99.9% uptime, you can trust that your phone service will stay reliable when you need it most.
Sign up for a seven-day free trial of OpenPhone and give your business the high-quality connection it deserves.
FAQs
Your phone might be dropping calls for several reasons, including:
– It was accidentally switched into airplane mode
– The battery needs to be replaced
– You have a thicker phone case
– There’s bad weather brewing, like storms or heavy rain
This depends on your device or situation. You can try restarting your phone, verifying your network connection, and checking for software updates to fix dropped calls on your Android phone.
This depends on your mobile device. A few things to try are:
– Under Settings > Accessibility > Siri, locate Call Hang-Up and turn it off.
– Take your SIM card out and check it for damage. Replace or reinstall it if needed.
– Force restart your iPhone.
If all else fails, contact Apple Support for help.
Issues with ONT (Optical Network Terminal) boxes, faulty wiring, and outdated modems could cause your landline to drop calls. If the issue persists, you should get in touch with your service provider for support or equipment replacement.