Why Does My Phone Keep Dropping Calls? How To Fix It

How to Stop Your Phone from Dropping Calls

With how much we rely on our phones, we don’t expect to experience dropped calls. But, unfortunately, many of us deal with them daily.

According to research, 72% of cell phone users experience dropped calls occasionally, and 32% experience them regularly.

If you’re part of the pool of users whose phone calls keep dropping, you've come to the right place. We're gonna go over what causes dropped calls and different ways to eliminate or at least significantly reduce them.

What is A Dropped Call?

A dropped call is when a phone call abruptly ends. They occur when one person’s phone randomly disconnects from the cellular network. This could be due to weak cell signals or connection issues.

What Causes Dropped Calls?

Dropped calls can happen anywhere, be it in the countryside or the city. Here are common factors that affect your cellular signal strength and connection reliability:

• Signal Blocking Obstacles: Anything sitting between your cell phone and the cell tower weakens received signal, leading to dropped calls. Such obstructions include trees, mountains, tall structures, building materials, and the like.
• Distance from Cell Tower: Radio waves can only travel so far from the signal source. The further away your device is from your closest cell tower, the weaker the signal it receives for uninterrupted calls.
• Network Congestion: Cell towers have limited capacity. Multiple devices connected to a single cell tower at the same time can overload the network. Calls inevitably drop, and data speeds slow down to a crawl for all.

11 Tips to Fix Dropped Calls

There are various tricks you can try to boost cell signal and stop dropped calls. The following tips work for iPhones, Samsung, and any other smartphone devices.

1. Inspect Your SIM Card

SIM cards grant you access to your carrier’s cellular network. When using a damaged SIM card, your cellular connection can randomly falter, causing you to constantly drop calls.

Shut off your phone and remove your SIM card. Carefully inspect it for bends or cracks. To replace it, you’ll have to get in contact with your service provider.

If no damage is detected, reinsert the SIM and make a phone call to test if the problem is fixed. Turning off your device and removing the SIM can oftentimes reset your connection and fix the issue.

2. Toggle Airplane Mode

Just because you’re not flying doesn't mean you can’t use airplane mode. Like removing the SIM card, airplane mode can help get your calls working again by refreshing your connection with the nearest cell tower.

3. Reset Network Settings

When restarting your phone or toggling airplane mode isn't enough, the next best thing is to reset your network settings. This will erase all traces of previous WiFi, Bluetooth, VPN, and cellular connections. It can help get rid of any underlying issues that may be causing your phone to drop calls.

4. Install Latest Updates

You might be dropping calls because your phone is working under older software. Software updates are released to fix bugs on your phone. Those bugs can interfere with your phone's functionalities, resulting in dropped calls.

5. Close Background Apps

With how much we use our phones, it’s easy to leave tons of apps running in the background. If your cache memory is full, it could be the reason you’re dropping calls. Thus, close out any unnecessary apps and see if that fixes the issue.

6. Make Sure Caller ID is Visible (for iPhone)

Hiding your caller ID can sometimes affect incoming calls. It can also cause phone calls to unexpectedly drop. If your Caller ID visibility is off, turn it on and see if that helps maintain your calls.

7. Remove Your Phone Case

Some phone cases, especially those with metal, can block or diminish the signal reaching your phone's internal antenna. Removing it may improve your overall reception and call quality.

8. Check Date and Time Settings

Strangely enough, the wrong date and time settings can affect your phone's ability to receive and maintain calls. If incorrect, set your date and time settings to automatic.

9. Try WiFi Calling

Rather than using the cellular network, WiFi calling allows you to make and receive calls over a WiFi network. WiFi and cellular calls can seamlessly switch to keep you connected. If you're continuously experiencing dropped calls at home, try enabling WiFi calling to see if it helps maintain your calls.

10. Change Your Location & Mitigate Obstacles

To improve your connection, try moving to an area where you receive the strongest signal. It could be outside, near a window, or on your second floor. Doing so can also reduce the number of obstructions between your devices and the nearest cell tower. Thus, reducing the frequency of dropped calls.

You can find the ideal spot by measuring signal strength using the weBoost app or field test mode. Here is a complete guide on how to measure cell phone signal strength.

11. Upgrade Your Phone

Newer phones are equipped with more robust antennas that can hold onto a signal better. They are also able to tap into a broader frequency spectrum, allowing you to get the best signal available. So, if you have an older phone, it may be time for an upgrade.

Best Way to Fix Dropped Calls

Whether for AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon, the best way to eliminate dropped calls is by investing in a cell phone signal booster.

A signal booster is a device that takes any existing LTE, 4G, and 5G signals, amplifies them for better use, and rebroadcasts them into your home, office, or vehicle. They’re able to:

• Bypass building material
• Reach distant towers
• Fine-tune your connection to the tower for a more consistent signal

If you rely on WiFi calling, your in-building cell reception is likely subpar. A signal booster will improve your cell signal AND offload congestion from your WiFi network. Talk about two birds with one stone!

What’s more, signal boosters are compatible with any cellular device from any service provider. You don't need WiFi or any type of broadband connection for the signal booster to work, and there are no monthly fees associated with them.

Keep in mind that for a cellular booster to work, there must be existing signal outside your home, office, or vehicle. A signal booster enhances existing signal, it does not create it. The amplifier will not work in cellular dead zones.

Here are our top signal booster recommendations to help rid your life of dropped calls:

Best Signal Boosters for Home

• Up to 5,000 Sq Ft Coverage
• Up to +65 dB Gain
• Up to 21 dBm Uplink and 12 dBm Downlink
• Compatible with All Cellular Devices and Carriers
• Customizable for Any Situation
• Aesthetic Design

The weBoost Home MultiRoom is our most popular booster and perfect for most homes. With high gain and uplink, it can reach distant towers to deliver stronger in-building signals and eliminate dropped calls. Perfect for people in the city and the countryside.

Under perfect conditions, it’s capable of covering up to 5,000 sq ft. Depending on your outside signal, that’s enough for multiroom to whole home coverage. Most people get between 2,000 – 3,000 sq ft of coverage. Areas with extremely poor cellular reception can expect much less.

For those extreme cases, this is the least powerful unit you should consider if trying to fix dropped calls.

• Up to 7,500 Sq Ft Coverage
• Up to +72 dB Gain
• Up to 24 dBm Uplink and 12 dBm Downlink
• Compatible with All Cellular Devices and Carriers
• Customizable for Any Situation
• Aesthetic Design

The weBoost Installed Home Complete is the most powerful home booster you can get to eliminate dropped calls. It’s capable of providing whole-home coverage for a large home with strong outside signal or a midsize home with weak outside signal.

Featuring max gain of +72 dB, the highest of any multi-carrier home unit, it’s roughly a shade over 3x more powerful than the weBoost Home MultiRoom. And with its powerful output powers, it can reach towers located even further to deliver superior service indoors. Under perfect conditions, it can provide up to 7,500 sq ft of coverage.

While most units are self-installed, this one comes with a professional installation. Optimal antenna placement for best results is guaranteed. If you’d rather install the booster yourself, we also offer a Do-It-Yourself version.

• Up to 2,000 Sq Ft Coverage
• Up to +60 dB Gain
• Up to 23 dBm Uplink and 13 dBm Downlink
• Compatible with All Cellular Devices and Carriers
• Compact Design, Fits On Any Flat Surface

The weBoost Home Studio is the most affordable home signal booster. Perfect for people trying to eliminate dropped calls on a budget.

This small compact booster can enhance cellular signal in areas up to 2,000 sq ft under perfect conditions. It’s ideal for a small home, apartment, dorm, or condo. Those with weak outside signal may get around 200-500 sq ft of coverage, enough to cover one large room.

It’s a great starter kit if you have decent outside signal but constantly drop calls in the rooms where it matters. For those poor signal areas, consider the Home MultiRoom since you may not see the results you want with this unit.

Best Signal Booster For Vehicles

• Up to +50 dB Gain
• Up to 26 dBm Uplink and 4 dBm Downlink
• Eliminates Dropped Calls On-the-Go
• Compatible with All Cellular Devices and Carriers
• Works in Extremely Rural and Remote Areas
• Extremely Customizable for Any Application

The weBoost Drive Reach is the most powerful vehicle cellular booster. It’s the booster we highly recommend for those trying to eliminate drop calls on the go.

It features the highest uplink output power of any multi-carrier vehicle amplifier. This allows it to reach cell towers that are 2x further to deliver twice the signal strength. It’s much more powerful than its competitors and a great performer in the most rural of roads and highways. Very customizable, there is a Drive Reach for cars, trucks, boats, overlanders, semis, and RVs.

• Up to +65 dB of Gain
• Up to 25 dBm Uplink and 12 dBm Downlink
• For Stationary Use ONLY
• Works in Extremely Rural and Remote Areas
• Compatible with All Cellular Devices and Carriers

The weBoost Destination RV is the most powerful booster for stationary RVs, trailers, and campers. It uses the popular Home MultiRoom amplifier and top-of-the-line RV antennas. When compared to other mobile signal boosters, the Destination RV offers an additional +15 dB of gain. This means it will significantly reduce dropped calls, even in rural areas with limited coverage. The included 25' telescoping mast makes setting up and taking down the unit easy and painless.

Wilson Amplifiers Can Help You Eliminate Dropped Calls for Good

Wilson Amplifiers is a leading provider of cell phone signal amplifiers. Regardless of your carrier, our units will get you the speed and reception you need to stay connected. Available for buildings and vehicles, there is a signal booster for every situation. Professional installation services are also available for commercial applications.

If you have any questions, call (1-800-568-2723), email (sales@wilsonamplifiers.com), or chat with us. We’re happy to help!

Interested in Learning More? Check Out Our Signal Boosting Info Center