How to Troubleshoot Galaxy Watch Calls Not Working

Being unable to make or receive calls on your Galaxy Watch can be really inconvenient. But don’t worry – with some focused troubleshooting, you can likely get to the bottom of call issues and have them functioning properly again in no time.

The Galaxy Watch lineup allows you to make and answer calls directly on your wrist when paired to a compatible Samsung smartphone. However, bugs or configuration problems sometimes disrupt this useful calling feature. By methodically isolating the issue, you can determine the needed steps to restore reliable calling from your watch.

Problem Description

“I’ve been encountering a significant issue with my Galaxy Watch – calls are simply not working as they should. When I try to make or receive calls from my watch, I can hear the other person, but they can’t hear me at all. It’s incredibly frustrating, as one of the main reasons I got the watch was for its call capabilities.

I’ve made sure that my watch’s software is up to date and that it’s properly connected to my phone. I’ve also reset the watch a couple of times to see if that would resolve the issue, but no luck. This problem makes the call feature practically useless, and I hope Samsung addresses this issue promptly. Otherwise, it’s a significant letdown for an otherwise great product.”

-random Galaxy Watch user

Let’s explore some of the most common reasons for call failures on Galaxy Watches and actionable solutions to get seamless calling connectivity again.

Common Causes of Call Problems

• Bluetooth connection issue between watch and phone
• Cellular plan not enabled for watch calling
• Microphone permission not granted for calling apps
• Watch software or app needs updating
• Do Not Disturb mode enabled on watch
• Airplane mode turned on watch or phone
• Defective hardware like speaker, mic or buttons

Troubleshooting and Fixes

Performing the following steps can help eliminate bugs and configuration errors that may be causing problems with the Galaxy Watch’s calling functions.

Step 1: Confirm Bluetooth Connection

Ensure your Galaxy Watch maintains a solid Bluetooth connection to your phone to enable calling.

If the Bluetooth connection between your Galaxy Watch and your phone is not strong enough, it can cause problems with calls, such as dropped calls, poor audio quality, or difficulty connecting to calls.

To confirm the Bluetooth connection between your Galaxy Watch and your phone, follow these steps:

1. On your Galaxy Watch, open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Connections > Bluetooth.
3. Make sure that Bluetooth is turned on.
4. Tap on the name of your phone in the list of paired devices.
5. Make sure that the Bluetooth connection is Connected.

If the Bluetooth connection is not connected, try restarting both your Galaxy Watch and your phone. If the Bluetooth connection is still not connected, you may need to unpair and then re-pair your Galaxy Watch and your phone.

Step 2: Enable Cellular Plan for your Watch

If using a Galaxy Watch with LTE, make sure to add a cellular wearable plan for calling over mobile data.

If you are using your Galaxy Watch over Bluetooth, the call quality and reliability can be affected by the distance between your watch and your phone, as well as any obstacles in between. By enabling a cellular plan on your Galaxy Watch, you can make and receive calls directly from your watch, without the need for your phone.

Cellular calling requires an active mobile plan for your watch. Thus, you will need to contact your mobile carrier and purchase a cellular plan for your watch. Once you have purchased a cellular plan, you will need to activate it on your watch. To do this, follow these steps:

1. On your Galaxy Watch, open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Connections > Mobile networks.
3. Tap on Activate mobile plan.
4. Enter your mobile phone number and the activation code that you received from your mobile carrier.
5. Tap on Activate.

Once your cellular plan is activated, you can start making and receiving calls directly from your watch.

Step 3: Verify App Permissions

Check that calling apps have microphone access allowed for call audio.

Some apps may require access to the phone’s calling features in order to work properly. For example, a VoIP app like WhatsApp or Telegram may need access to the phone’s microphone and speaker in order to make and receive calls. If the app does not have the necessary permissions, it may not be able to work properly and may cause calling issues.

To verify app permissions on Galaxy Watch, follow these steps:

1. On your Galaxy Watch, open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Apps > Manage apps.
3. Tap on the name of the app that you want to check the permissions for.
4. Tap on Permissions.
5. Review the permissions that the app has and make sure that they are necessary for the app to work properly.

If you see any permissions that you do not think the app needs, you can disable them. To do this, tap on the toggle switch next to the permission to disable it.

Also note that with microphone access blocked, app calls will fail. To clear this out, go to your Galaxy watch Settings > Apps > Permissions menu and then do the following:

1. Locate calling apps like Phone and Samsung Health
2. Ensure Microphone permission is enabled
3. Toggle on if currently disabled

Step 4: Update Software on both Devices

Having outdated firmware on your watch or connected phone can disrupt calling functionality. Thus, keeping both devices’ software updated is recommended.

Software updates can include bug fixes and performance improvements that can help to resolve calling problems. Additionally, new software versions may include new features that improve the calling experience on your Galaxy Watch.

To update the software on your Galaxy Watch, follow these steps:

1. Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone.
2. Make sure that your Galaxy Watch is connected to your phone.
3. Tap on Watch settings > Software update.
4. Tap on Download and install.

To update the software on your phone, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Tap on Software update.
3. Tap on Download and install.

Updating to the latest Galaxy Watch software and smartphone OS likewise resolves many compatibility issues.

Step 5: Toggle Off Do Not Disturb

If Do Not Disturb mode is activated on your watch, incoming calls will be silenced. Make sure it’s disabled.

Do Not Disturb can silence all calls and notifications, including incoming calls. While this feature can be useful for situations where you want to minimize distractions, it can also cause problems if you are expecting an important call and you don’t realize that Do Not Disturb is enabled.

To disable Do Not Disturb on your Galaxy Watch, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your Galaxy Watch.
2. Tap on Advanced > Do Not Disturb.
3. Tap on the toggle switch next to Do Not Disturb to disable it.

You can also disable Do Not Disturb for specific hours or days by tapping on Schedule.

Once Do Not Disturb is disabled, you should be able to receive calls on your Galaxy Watch as usual.

Step 6: Disable Airplane Mode on Devices

Having Airplane mode turned on will block all calling functionality so make sure it’s off.

Airplane mode disables all wireless connections on your device, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular. This can be useful when you are on an airplane or in other situations where you need to prevent your device from interfering with other devices. However, it can also cause problems if you are trying to use features that require a wireless connection, such as making calls on your Galaxy Watch.

To disable Airplane mode, follow these steps:

1. On your Galaxy Watch, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel.
2. Tap on the Airplane mode icon to turn it off.

Once Airplane mode is turned off, you should be able to make and receive calls on your Galaxy Watch as usual.

Also consider turning Airplane Mode off on your phone that’s paired with your Galaxy Watch.

Step 7: Reset Network Settings

For persistent issues, resetting the network settings on your watch and phone clears out any problematic configurations.

Network settings include things like the Wi-Fi connection, the Bluetooth connection, and the cellular connection. If these settings become corrupted or outdated, it can cause problems with calls, such as dropped calls, poor audio quality, or difficulty connecting to calls.

Resetting the network settings on your Galaxy Watch can be helpful for resolving calling issues because it can clear any corrupted or outdated network settings that may be causing the problem.

To reset the network settings on your Galaxy Watch, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your Galaxy Watch.
2. Tap on General > Reset > Reset network settings.
3. Tap on Reset.

Once the network settings are reset, you will need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network and Bluetooth devices. You may also need to re-enable your cellular plan if you have one.

After resetting the network settings, try making and receiving calls on your Galaxy Watch to see if the problem has been resolved.

Also consider resetting the network settings on your phone, especially if the problem continues even after restoring default network configurations on your watch.

Step 8: Inspect for Hardware Damage

If none of the above steps is able to fix the problem, there’s a good chance that you’re dealing with a hardware issue. Faulty watch hardware like the speaker, microphone or buttons can prevent successful calling.

At this point, try to check your watch for the following indications of hardware problems:

1. Visible damage like cracks in display
2. Debris in speaker or microphone openings
3. Calling issues in both Bluetooth and LTE modes

Physical defects will require professional repair or replacement.

With systematic troubleshooting, you should be able to isolate the cause of call problems on Galaxy Watch and get seamless calling functionality restored. Don’t hesitate to contact Samsung support if issues persist after trying these fixes.

FAQs about Galaxy Watch Calls Not Working Issue