The “Emergency calls only” issue is a frustrating problem that occurs when Android phones fail to connect to carrier networks, preventing users from making calls, sending texts, or using mobile data. This guide shows how to resolve the problem for good.
Check Your Network Coverage
Are you in an area with poor or no signal at all? The “Emergency calls only” issue typically occurs when Android devices can’t connect to carrier networks. This can happen if you’re in an area that doesn’t have a proper signal.
A good way to check your network coverage is by looking at the signal bars on the top of your phone’s screen. If they are low, try moving to a different area, such as closer to a window. You can also get in touch with your carrier to check the coverage map for your location.
Most carriers provide online tools or apps that allow you to input your address to see the strength of their network in your area. If the issue is on the carrier’s end, you can’t do much, other than waiting until the issue is resolved or using Wi-Fi to make any important calls via a free caller app.
Restart Your Phone
Have you tried restarting your phone? A restart can fix many different things, and sometimes your Android just needs a quick reset to fix network-related issues like this. For example, it can clear any temporary glitches and re-establish connections with your carrier’s network towers.
To restart your phone, press and hold the power button for a few seconds. Choose Restart or Reboot, and wait for your phone to complete the process. Once it’s restarted, check whether the issue has been resolved by making a test call or checking your network connection.
Toggle Airplane Mode
You can also try to fix the issue by toggling the Airplane Mode on and off. Enabling the Airplane Mode disables the wireless connections on your phone (cellular signals, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth) temporarily. Turning it back off will reset these connections, fixing any glitches and errors in the process.
Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Quick Settings menu. Look for the Airplane Mode, and tap on it. Wait a few seconds, then tap it again to turn Airplane Mode off.
Check SIM Card
Sometimes the “Emergency calls only” issue can be due to a loose or improperly inserted SIM card.
To check whether this is the case, power off your phone by pressing the power button. Then, locate the SIM tray, which is usually on the side of your phone. Carefully eject the SIM card by using the SIM eject tool.
Check the card for any visible damages or dirt. We recommend taking it out and cleaning it using a soft, dry cloth. Put it back into the tray, and insert the tray back into the phone until it clicks securely into place. Make sure you insert the SIM back in properly, as if you don’t, you could encounter a No SIM Card Detected error.
Turn your phone on, and check whether the issue has been resolved.
Manually Select Your Network Provider
Sometimes your phone fails to connect to your network provider automatically, which leads to issues like “Emergency calls only” messages. In this case, you can manually select your provider in the Settings app.
Choose Network & Internet/Connections -> Mobile network/Cellular networks -> Carrier. Select your preferred network from the list, and choose Enable on the Sim info screen. Check whether that fixes the issue.
Reset Network Settings
If you’re still experiencing the “Emergency calls only” issue, resetting your network settings can help. It will clear all the current network-related settings and restore them back to the defaults.
Open the Settings app, use the search bar to look for Reset Network Settings, and click on it. You may need to enter your password or PIN to proceed. Click Reset network settings to confirm. Restart your phone, and check whether the issue has been resolved.
One thing to keep in mind is that resetting your network settings will also remove all saved Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth connections. You’ll need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi networks and re-pair your Bluetooth devices after the reset.
Update Android
You can also try updating Android, since updates often include bug fixes that can help resolve issues.
Open the Settings app, navigate to About device, and click on the software version information. The system will check for any available updates. If an update is available, install it by clicking the Download & install option. You will need a stable Wi-Fi connection with sufficient battery life to complete the update.
Hopefully, once the update has completed, you will be able to make calls from your phone without any issues.
These methods should help you fix the “Emergency calls only” error for good. You can also consider switching to any of the best dialer apps for an upgrade. If you encounter the issue again, we highly recommend getting in touch with your carrier for further assistance or visiting a professional technician. To avoid the problem in the future, keep your phone’s software updated, regularly check your network coverage, and ensure your SIM card is properly inserted and undamaged.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Zainab Falak.
Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox
