Can't answer phone (only doing 1 or 2 rings)

[Chrysanth]

No problem with outgoing calls, or incoming or outgoing texts, or my husband's mobile.

I don't know how long ago this started (e.g. most of our personal contacts use our home phone, WhatsApp, etc).  I only discovered it recently, by missing a long series of attempted calls from the same reputable organisation I was in a dialogue with.

Same happens when my husband tries ringing my mobile from his across the table.  That way, we can hear that the ringing tone from his phone goes on for quite a while before my phone does its 1 or 2 rings.  Ringing my mobile from our home phone, in the latter I hear a few seconds of silence, followed by 3 rings before my mobile does its 2 rings.  (The home phone number is via a VOIP service).

Online articles etc always seem to be either about a phone not ringing at all, or one ringing for a decent time, but not for long enough in a particular circumstance.  But one thing that had helped some  people was increasing the number of rings before a call goes to voicemail, using a code.  I made a note of Three's code for that, but then decided to consult here before trying it.

Another thing that had helped someone was clearing some caches and data (which I like to do every so often anyway).  I did that (treating each app individually) but must have made some little mistake, as I'm now having to edit each contact and re-enter the phone number, in order to continue to ring it from there.  No great bother, but later while looking for some setting or other, I noticed a box containing only +353 in the SIM settings, and wondered if that has some connection with my Contacts error.  (I left the SIM settings alone until further advised).

Another suggestion was turning voicemail off, but doing that didn't seem to make any difference in this case, so I turned it back on.  I then saw something like 'Mini code in progress', then 'Call forwarding successfully erased'  I then remembered one occasion about a year ago.when it could well have been set up temporally, then forgotten about.  But I still don't know how my phone's rings could have got shortened in the first place.

Phone is Motorola Edge 20 Lite, (Android 13, Three PAYG sim).

[Chrysanth]

Thanks Niall. I tried what you suggested, but something's still sending me round in circles (still can't get the rings extended).

Strangely, this morning before I'd tried anything, my phone rang 4 times.  I was out of the room though, and my husband didn't have time to try answering, as it was packed in my handbag ready for going out.  They sent a text instead.(just a routine insurance reminder).

I suppose 4 years and a bit could be a long time for a SIM card.  I don't think there can be any physical damage, though I do use the phone a lot.

To get a physical SIM replacement, apparently we have to visit a Three store.  I think I remember having to drive to Letterkenny to replace a previous one, and it might be some time before I have the leisure to do that.  It always ends up being a whole day's work (even without visiting any other shops!).

Could I just ask what the difference is between a Three Store and a Three Preferred Stockist?  (I can't find that info on the website).  There are 2 or 3 of the latter that are nearer than Letterkenny.  And I think I've been here before with a previous phone, but do I have to ring each preferred stockist to find out if they do SIM replacements?  (Could be difficult if their phone's engaged a lot, and they want to ring me back!).

Just to mention that we're having a planned ESB maintenance outage tomorrow (Wednesday) from 10am to 4pm (in theory), so I won't have internet access then, or be able to do phone calls, whether landline or mobile (our mobile signal is now via an approved booster/repeater in.the house),

[Three_Niall]

@Chrysanth once you have the setting in place then the phone may be ringing for 30 seconds on the diallers end however there could be a number of factors including the SIM card or the WiFi calling that you are using.  

You can order a replacement SIM online here without needing to travel to a store -> https://www.three.ie/replace-my-sim/ 

[Chrysanth]

Thanks for confirming that code.  I tried it this morning to turn voicemail on, and got the message 'Call forwarding successfully erased'.  So a step in the right direction.  Then the ESB switched the power off.

Once they'd restored it, my husband tried ringing me from his mobile again, and this time my phone did  about 8 rings, before presumably going to voicemail, with the ringing tone in his phone going on for a bit after that.  (I didn't try to answer mine, with wanting to see how many rings it would do).

Maybe a nice long power reset was helpful to some of the devices in our house.  (E.g. a power reset of our router used to fix problems with some of our previous devices, and I have an idea that the installer of our mobile signal repeater also suggested a power reset of it in the event of any problem).  Or maybe some sequence of codes I've tried got things at least in the right direction.  (Hard to tell!).

I don't use Wifi Calling (no point in the house, with our mobile signal now fairly strong there).  If on the move, I can just make any phone calls when passing through a town, or write an SMS at any time, to go as soon as there's any signal at all.

The link re replacing SIM cards is to the same place I found on the website.  It's the first page after the preliminary checks, and is as far as I can get (see screenshot).  (I tried the Submit button anyway just in case, but saw no sign of it being touched, or pressed in various ways).

[Chrysanth]

Screenshot on way (if possible).

[Chrysanth]

Sorry Niall, but when posting an image here, does it need to be via a link? (I can't remember!, And can't find that info on the Three site). I.have the screenshot in Google Pbotos. Copy -paste didn't work for me, but I could upload it to Flickr and link.to that.

[Three_Niall · Accepted solution]

Apologies @Chrysanth when you mentioned VOIP earlier I assumed that was via the mobile phone so Wifi Calling wouldn't be affecting the situation here. 

If you are using a mobile signal repeater I would often recommend either doing a reset on these and also doing a restart on your phone as it helps refresh the connection you are receiving which may have been the solution to this call query that you had.  

Unless you are using an eSIM you will need to go instore for a SIM replacement and your can view the relevant stores on the store locator however after completing the reset I'd leave it alone and test that everything is ok before spending time travelling to the store. 

Finally to add photos all you need to do is click "Drag and drop here or browse files to attach" under the comment box if you are looking to add a picture.

[Chrysanth]

Thanks for the info.

No - the VOIP service we're using is a 3rd-party one for our landline number (ported from the very bad physical line we had installed when we moved here about 35 years ago).

I'll try resetting the repeater and then my phone, tomorrow (our ladders are locked away for the night).

I suppose power returning after even planned outages could be a little unsteady at first, let alone after storms.

I'm puzzled by the phone rings increasing to 4 the day before yesterday, then to 8 yesterday.  Maybe it's not so strange from your viewpoint?

(I wondered if it was something to do with turning my phone off overnight, but it's still 8 rings today).

If the resets make no difference, do I keep trying to extend the number of rings via the code(s)?  Or try a SIM replacement first?

Can I get one from a Three Approved Stockist, or does it need a Three Store?

I did see the Photo icon by at the comment box before, but couldn't make it do anything, and assumed that was a permission thing.  But it's live today (must have just forgetten before to make sure I was still logged in!).

[Three_Niall · Accepted solution]

@Chrysanth as there was a power outage the repeater would have rebooted so no need to be getting the ladders out. 😊

The reset is more than  likely the reason that the rings increased from 4 to 8 rings especially if you haven't turned off your phone for a long time, something I do myself is restart my phone for one week as a reboot can help performance considering its constantly on. 

To receive a replacement SIM you need to go to a Three store and you can find the closest store on the Store Locator at the link I provided previously. However as you extended it to 30 seconds then 8 rings would be expected so it sounds like the reset has helped resolve this. 

[Chrysanth]

Thanks, Niall.

No ladders needed for the repeater.  I was forgetting that it's fine to just unplug its power lead from the wall socket, 1m or so above the floor!

I nearly always turn my phone off overnight.

I've been confusing the number of seconds with the number of rings!  (Started to forget the basics; nothing serious, just a reminder to take a break from troubleshooting!).

My phone's still doing 8 rings.  For some reason, we'd guessed that it didn't take as much as 30 seconds, but then our stopwatch proved us wrong.  So I'll mark this Resolved.

I rang a Three Approved Stockist that's much nearer than Letterkenny, and they do supply replacement SIM cards.  Maybe I'll be up that way sometime soon.

Hard to pick just one of your replies as "the" solution!