You were prepared to answer an incoming phone call, only to discover that your phone didn't ring and you completely missed the call. This experience can be frustrating or dangerous, depending on the context. Here's every fix you can try if your iPhone 6 won't ring.
Check The Ring/Silent Switch
The first step you'll want to take, if your iPhone isn't ringing, is to ensure that your Ring/Silent switch is flipped to the ring setting.
Look at the left side of your iPhone 6, where you should see a small switch near the top. If it's flipped toward your phone's screen, your iPhone is set to ring. If you see a small orange mark and your switch is pushed toward the back of your iPhone, your iPhone is set to silent. Pull the switch forward to set it back to ring. If your iPhone is unlocked, a speaker icon will appear on your display.
After you've set your phone to ring, you'll also want to check that your speaker's volume is turned up. Even when set to ring, an iPhone's audio might not be audible, if the volume has been significantly turned down. Press and hold the volume up button to make your iPhone's speaker louder.
You can also increase your volume by opening the Sound & Haptics page, under Settings. Look for the slider labeled Ringer And Alerts and slide it to the right to turn up your volume.
If your iPhone still isn't ringing, despite being set to ring and the volume has been turned up, it's possible that your speaker is broken. For more tips on how to deal with a malfunctioning speaker, we have an entire article dedicated to what to do when your iPhone's speaker isn't working.
Make Sure Do Not Disturb Is Turned Off
If your iPhone is currently set to Do Not Disturb, it won't ring when someone calls you. To check if Do Not Disturb is currently activated on your iPhone, look in the top right corner of your display. If a small moon icon is visible by your battery life, this means that Do Not Disturb is currently turned on.
To disable Do Not Disturb, swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone's screen to access the Control Center. Tap the moon icon. If it turns grey, Do Not Disturb is now turned off.
For detailed options on adjusting Do Not Disturb, open the Settings app on your iPhone. Select Do Not Disturb and you'll be brought to a page full of different settings, which you can manipulate. This page also has a switch where you can toggle Do Not Disturb on or off.
What Should I Do If My iPhone Still Won't Ring?
If your volume is up, your phone is set to ringer, and Do Not Disturb is turned off, then it's probably a hardware issue that's causing your iPhone 6 not to ring.
Check The Headphone Jack
One small issue that can keep an iPhone from making a sound is if something gets stuck in the headphone jack. When this occurs, an iPhone can sometimes think that your headphones have been plugged in when they haven't. If this is the case, your iPhone won't emit any sound from the speaker.
Shine a light in your headphone jack, and if you see anything obstructive, this might be what's causing your phone not to ring. Take an anti-static brush and lightly clean out the port. You can purchase an anti-static brush for a few dollars on Amazon or just use a clean toothbrush, if you have an extra handy.
If there's nothing in your headphone jack, the most likely explanation is that something in your iPhone has shorted out and is preventing your speaker from making noise. There aren't any home remedies for a malfunctioning piece of hardware, so you'll want to take your phone to a technician for repair.
Repair Options
Repair services from Apple can be pretty expensive, but you've got a few options, if you're willing to make the investment. If you have an Apple Store nearby, make an appointment with the Genius Bar to have a technician examine your iPhone in person. You can also sign up for Apple's mail-in repair service by visiting the Apple Support page online.
With a model as old as the iPhone 6, it might be worthwhile to take the money you'd spend on repair and put it into a new phone entirely. Within a few years, Apple will probably stop servicing the iPhone 6 and it will no longer accept iOS updates. Check out our cell phone comparison tool, if you're interested in upgrading!
iPhone 6: Fixed!
The fundamental function of every phone is to make and receive calls. If your iPhone 6 won't ring, you're practically better off with a landline! Be careful when adjusting any of your phone's settings, and consult a technician if the problem turns out to be a serious hardware issue. Thanks for reading! If you have a friend or family member struggling to get their iPhone 6 to ring, please share this article with them.
Colin:
I kept missing important messages from my medical providers.
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Thank You: Very well-organized troubleshooting.
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