6 FaceTime Calling Issues and Their Fixes
Is FaceTime not working as expected? FaceTime is an incredibly simple application that allows users of iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad to make real-time video and audio calls with other users who also use FaceTime. As we said, it is an incredibly simple app. But, at times it can actually frustrate its users. Of various types of technical issues, users are mostly haunted by calling issues. Sometimes calls fail. Calling someone or receiving a call from someone simply won’t work! Sometimes there can be connection errors. Sometimes FaceTime app won’t show up at all.
Related: iPhone Wi-Fi issues
If you are facing some problems with FaceTime, these 6 FaceTime calling issues and their fixes might help you. So, take your time to read through this article and see if you can find a solution to your problem(s).
Note: Before you do anything, check to see if Apple’s FaceTime servers are down. This is easy, here is how:
- Open a browser and visit Apple’s system status site.
- Look for FaceTime.
Note 2: Also make sure that your device is running the latest version of the iOS, iPadOS, and macOS software. Here is how you can update your device:
Problem 1: Calls Fail or Receiving and Making Calls Not Possible
Important: The first thing you need to know about FaceTime is that it is not available in all regions. So, crosscheck and find out whether your region is supported or not. This support document shows countries where FaceTime is not available. If FaceTime is available, there are now three options for you:
Option 1: Follow the following steps:
- Ensure that FaceTime is enabled on your device. To do this, go to Settings. From there go to FaceTime. See if the toggle bar shows green. Green means enabled, white means not enabled. Toggle as required to enable FaceTime.
- Once you have done that, find out whether your device’s camera as well as FaceTime are enabled in the Restrictions settings. For this, go to Settings. From there, go to General. From there, tap on Restrictions and there ensure that both camera and FaceTime are enabled.
- Finally, ensure that your internet connection is active and working properly. You need a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. You may want to check your Wi-Fi or cellular connection. If your connection is not strong enough, you may want to see the “Poor Connection” error. You may also want to check the following articles:
Now check and see whether FaceTime is working or not. If now, follow Option 2 described below.
Option 2: Restart your device.
This is a simple step. All you have to do is simply restart your device. Here is how:
- iPhone X, 11 or later and iPhone with Face ID: Press and hold the power button (side or top) and volume up (or down) buttons together until you see the power off slider. Wait 1 minute. Then press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo.
- Other iPhone and iPad models: Press and hold the Wake or Sleep button on your device. You will see a slider appear on the screen. Slide to restart your device. Once the device restarts, check whether FaceTime is working or not. Generally, it should work. If it isn’t, try Option 3 described below.
Option 3: Set DNS to Google’s Public DNS
- Go to Settings. From there, go to Wi-Fi.
- Tap on the blue arrow you see next t ‘Wi-Fi’.
- You will see a number of settings there like IP Address, Subnet Mask, etc. You will see the field which reads ‘DNS’. Tap the DNS field and set the DNS as 8.8.8.8 (this is the public DNS of Google).
Once you have set the DNS, save settings and exit. Try using FaceTime. It should work now. You should be able to make or receive calls. If the problem is still not fixed, take help from the Apple service center.
Option 4: Check the Date and Time
Make sure that the Date and Time settings are set correctly. You may want to turn on the Set Automatically option. Here is how:
- On your iPad or iPhone: Settings > General > Date & Time.
- On your Mac: Click System Preferences, then choose Date & Time.
Option 5: Reset network settings
You may want to reset network settings. Please note that doing so will erase your network settings such as your saved Wi-Fi passwords etc. Here is how:
- On your iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- See this article to reset network settings on your Mac.
Problem 2: FaceTime Options Not Available in Settings
It may happen that you are not able to make calls or receive calls because FaceTime because FaceTime options are not available in the Settings menu. You may notice that the option for toggling FaceTime ON and OFF is greyed out. You cannot do anything.
Here is a quick fix that usually works:
- Go to Settings.
- From Settings, go to Screen Time.
- Go to Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps. Make sure that FaceTime and Camera are allowed.
This will usually resolve the issue and you should now be able to see FaceTime options in the Settings section. If this option isn’t working, you may have to restore your device as a new device. This will delete your device data. So, back up your data. Now connect your device to your computer, go to iTunes, click on ‘Restore’ and then, select the option which says, ‘set up as new phone’. This will wipe everything from your device and reset the entire device as a new one. Now, FaceTime should work. Once the reset is done, you can then restore data from the back up you created.
Problem 3: Phone Calls or Contacts App Not Showing FaceTime Button
What really happens here is that when you go to Settings, you will notice that FaceTime options are available. However, when you go to your contact screen or your phone calls app, you will not see the FaceTime option. This means that you cannot initiate a call using FaceTime.
In order to fix this, try the following options:
Option 1: Toggle FaceTime ON and OFF
Usually, this works. All you have to do is to toggle FaceTime ON and OFF in the settings. Go to Settings and check if FaceTime is ON or not. If ON, toggle it OFF and then wait for 60 seconds and toggle it back ON. If it is already OFF, toggle it ON, then toggle it OFF and then again turn it ON. This should then show the FaceTime button in Contacts App or Phone Calls.
If this method is not working, follow Option 2.
Option 2: Turn on Restrictions and then disable Restrictions
For the precise steps, see Problem 2 above and follow the steps one by one.
Option 3: Reset all settings
This should be your last resort. Resetting all settings will delete data like passwords that you saved, your messages and several other information. This is not always suggested but using this step often resolves the problem. It is suggested that you take back up of your data before you reset your phone. In case you want to reset your phone, take the following steps:
- Go to Settings
- Go to General
- Go to Reset
- Tap on ‘Reset All Settings’.
Once you do that, the phone will be reset and restart. Once the phone restarts, the problem should be solved.
Problem 4: FaceTime Calling Issues Because of Wi-Fi Firewall
Believe it or not, there may be firewall restrictions in your Wi-Fi that will prevent you from making or receiving calls using FaceTime. It is not necessary that all Wi-Fi’s will have this issue but some may have.
For FaceTime to work properly, the following ports need to be open:
- UDP: 16393 through 16402
- UDP: 16384 through 16387
- UDP: 3478 through 3497
- TCP: 5223
- TCP: 443
- TCP: 80
In case you don’t know how to enable these ports, you may have to contact your ISP or network administrator and ask them to enable these ports. If you are also using Skype, Port 80 should be open by default because Skype never works without that port being enabled. In case other ports need to be enabled, you may have to go ahead and ask your network administrator.
Problem 5: Unable to Make Calls Because of Poor Network Connection
Okay, this is one of the dumbest problems out there but it can be annoying unless you know what is actually causing the problem. Since FaceTime can work over Wi-Fi and also through mobile internet, the chances may be there that a poor network connection is preventing you from making or receiving calls using FaceTime.
If you are on mobile internet or some data plan from your carrier, there isn’t much you can do to fix this problem.
However, if you are using Wi-Fi, you can take the following steps:
- Turn off Wi-Fi and restart your router.
- Toggle FaceTime OFF and then ON using your device settings. This may help. If that is not helping, try resetting your Wi-Fi complete. For this, use the reset button on your router. Press and hold it for 10 seconds and then release it. It is manual reset and now the router will reboot and reset all settings.
Now you should be able to make or receive calls.
Still not working?
Well, restart the FaceTime app. You have to force restart the app. Follow the steps below to restart your FaceTime app:
- Tap the home button once. This will take you to the main screen.
- Double-tap home button or swipe up. This will open up the multitasking tray.
- Press and hold the icon of the FaceTime app. You will see a red badge and the FaceTime icon will start dancing or jiggling.
- Tap the red badge and the app will be closed. Don’t worry, you are not actually uninstalling the app. All you are doing is killing the process.
- Tap outside the multitasking tray to close it.
- Repeat the first two steps here.
- On the multitasking tray, tap the FaceTime app icon and it will restart.
Now check the app. You should be able to make or receive calls.
Problem 6: FaceTime Not Working After Porting Number
You ported your number to a different carrier and not FaceTime not working? Do you keep getting this message: “Username (which will be your name) not available for FaceTime”? This usually happens when the new carrier tries to get information from holdover data from backups on your iPhone.
There is a solution to this problem but a bit lengthy. Follow these steps:
Note: The steps below will erase your device:
- Take a backup of your iPhone data in your iTunes account. You can also backup using iCloud.
- Once the backup is complete, connect your phone to your computer and from the iTunes interface, click on the ‘Restore’ option.
- Once you click on ‘Restore’, you will get a new option of ‘Set Up as New Phone’. Click on that option.
Though there are only three steps, the time taken to complete these steps can take a long time. Once your phone is set up as a new phone, all data on your phone will be erased and now the new carrier should be able to get your username for FaceTime.
Once the FaceTime is up and running, go back to iTunes and resync all data and information from the backup you created.
Well, this concludes our article. Did you find a solution to your problem? Drop us a message and let us know. In case you have any other problem to share, feel free to do so.
Similar problem. I can Face-time other people but not my friend in South Africa, after having done so for quite some time. The Face-time icon does not light up on my computer, iphone, or iPad anymore. She can Face-time me.
My granddaughter can FaceTime me and when I try her name is not highlighted so I can’t press FaceTime or audio.I’ve tried everything this is the only one that does this.She can FaceTime me no problem.Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thankyou
Brian
When my son facetimes us from the Army every 15 minutes our facetime drops and we have to reconnect. He only has this problem when he calls me on my iPad. He has no problems when facetiming with anyone else. Our wifi is very strong and we have no problems like this with any other connections. Any ideas at all as to why this happens and how we could fix it?
Is there a way to prove I didn’t hang up on someone? I have searched the system log in Console on my iMac Big Sur latest which was using my cell phone to make the call and after 10 minutes app. it failed at the worst possible time in the middle of a heated exchange and now my caller doesn’t believe I didn’t hang up on them.
I can’t find anything beyond a “Jan 10 10:35:57 XXXXXcom.apple.xpc.launchd[1] (com.apple.FaceTime.FaceTimeNotificationCenterService[16551]): Service did not exit 5 seconds after SIGTERM. Sending SIGKILL.”
Which I don’t think is what I need to prove to my friend who is now refusing to talk to me that I didn’t hang up.
Is there anything else I should be searching in? My notifications for FaceTime don’t show the error throne and I didn’t have the presence of mind to do a screen grab when the error was still up.
Ever since the American Election (and I am sure that isn’t the cause) FaceTime has been a nightmare. I Facetime with 3 people on my Ipad and two are on iPads and once is on an android. The weekly call to my cousin in Alberta allows us to talk for 5 – 8 min. then poor connection, wait till we reconnect you pops up and then we are disconnected. The same problem is happening with my grandson; we last no longer than 5 minutes and we are disconnected. My daughter in law and I can talk normally for as long as we wish with no problems. This is really frustrating, especially now with covid, and I am wondering what is wrong.
I’m having the same problem with the green bar at the top when I FaceTime . I’ve tried everything!
For the last few days when I’m using FaceTime after a few minutes the screen disappears, and I get a thing green line appearing at the top of the screen telling me “touch to resume” – as if I have gone to another app while calling, but when I touch to resume, it doesn’t work and the call then disappears. I have tried rebooting several times, have had the latest update – but still having the problem. Any ideas on how this might be resolved. Thanks in advance for advice.
Having exactly the same problem, over a week now.
Same with me, any idea how to fix it?
Have you had any help in solving this problem? I have the same problem and would be grateful for any advice you can give. Thank you.
My cellphone (6s) minimizes Facetime after 6 minutes 24 seconds. It goes to the home screen and ‘tap to return to facetime’ appears up top. But it won’t go back to facetime and the call drops. It never did this for the longest time but now it does it every time. I’ve tried uninstalling facetime and reinstalling it. none of the fixes I’ve seen online work.
Did you ever find the solution to this problem? I’m having the same issue.
Hi folks. I have a problem I can’t find the answer to. My daughter can both call me and FaceTime me. I can also call her, so clearly my phone number is not blocked. However, even though neither of us have changed any of our settings, she no longer is receiving my FaceTimes to her.
Any ideas?
I’m having the same problem and I don’t know how to fix it.
I’m connecting h to the FaceTime I answer and then it says another incoming call yet I was already connecting to the call
Hi, Can anyone help me here. My Face Time doesn’t seem to be working. I have tried to ring numerous people in my contacts and my iPad makes a ringing noise, but doesn’t connect with the person I am trying to call. Also I have had people trying to call me, but they haven’t been able to get through and when they have told me it hasn’t come up on my iPad that I have any missed calls. Any help; advice; suggestions; etc would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance :).
Hi was u able to get a fix for the problem you had with your FaceTime because my son FaceTime is doing the same thing and I can’t find a resolution
Did you get any resolution to this? I’m having the exact same problem. Started last week.
The other problem may be because of your iCloud for messages is off… turn it on and you’re FaceTime will work
Hi, my issue is when I’m on a call on FaceTime video as soon as I put my iphone 11 pro max vertically somewhere and continue talking other person cannot hear me. I tried this on multiple surfaces like kitchen bench, couch, coffee table. One of my friends have the sane issue with her iphone 11 pro. How can I fix this problem as I need to use facetime a lot and most of the time I need to secure the phone somewhere and continue talking. Never had this issue with my iphone X
FaceTime & iMessage App doesnot show my Mobile Number though it is updated in Apple Account as well as updated in “my phone number” in Phone app please tell what to do ?
my issue is that randomly my facetime camera will turn black and it will show as paused for the other person also the options on the facetime call with become grey and won’t let me use them
My issue is whenever i’m on facetime, and i try to leave the screen (go on pause/switch to a different app) it ends the call.
My issues appears to be related t the fact that our iMac is connected via ethernet. We have been able to answer facetime calls on the iMac but not able to add a new call number and connect to it.
For me everyone says my camera is bad, but when I take a picture or something, it is pretty good
mines super weird, so i can make the FaceTime call but it goes to my backround just blurry but i can still hear there person but i cant do anything, i cant end it or use affects just make the call
okay cause mine does the same thing all the time and i don’t know what to do.😕
I have a new iPhone 11, and now, whoever I’m FaceTiming someone, they tell me I’m going in and out and they miss half of what I say
My FaceTime calls won’t go through to the other persons phone and my phone isn’t receiving FaceTime calls
When I am making a group call on Face time, one person is not getting the message to pick up. However if I call her directly we can communicate.
This has happened before but is frustrating since I am doing a class and this person is one of the students
When I put the call out for everyone the screen indicates waiting but of course she is not getting the call.
Please help.
I can FaceTime with other people except for one, my mum. I call her or she call me, we’ll accept the call, and it just stuck at connecting until timeout. Can’t do video or Audio with her on the FaceTime app. Reset my iPad, set it up as a new iPad. Still will not work. It can’t be the port being closed as I can FaceTime with other people on my contact list.
My problem is a strange on. I call my mum on her land line and I tell her to answer her FaceTime call when I ring her on the iPad. I’m using iPad too and using mobile to call her landline. I can hear here iPad ringing and I can see and hear her. But one I hang up my mobile the FaceTime session freezes and disconnects. I can only connect if we are on the phone.
Any suggestions
I can’t ft one person but the rest I can when she calls it doesn’t pop up on either of our phones what does this mean
On my MacBook when I bring up Facetime, I can see my image but cannot see the list of names and numbers so that I can call out. Thus, I cannot even answer an incoming call. Ideas?
I just tried to make a Facetime call to my daughter. Her contact was selected in my contacts. I tapped facetime and someone at a different number answered with facetime.
What can that mean? the numbers aren’t even close.
On my device when I press the Facetime app it goes straight to a facetime login thing but when i try to log in it doesnt even let me type. Im confused pls respond.
My problem is different. FaceTime works fine for any call, in or out. But I can’t add a name, or number, and all the calls remain on my list. I can’t remove any of them. When I try to add a number (or name) trying either choice produces nothing. How to correct this?
I have factory reset my iPhone and question mark is still in the middle of the icon. Why is this?
When I FaceTime, my image is blurred on one side. Why is this?
My problem is that I face time someone then I am just talking to them on face time while I am playing a game or using snaochat or instagram or just using a different application and then I press the sleep/off button and the face time automatically ends
My problem is that when I’m FaceTiming in a group, the button to turn on the camera is not there.
A FaceTime call came up on my iPad and was “answered on other device”. However, I didn’t make the call in the first place. How did this happen?
In the middle of a FaceTime call with my daughter, the video remainedfine, but suddenly neither of us could hear what the other was saying. I tested my iPhone by FaceTiming with someone else, and the audio was fine. How do we troubleshoot the problem with my daughter’s iPad or FaceTime? She already tried turning the device off and on again, to no avail. And “Sounds” is set to “on”, and the volume is up high? How can I troubleshoot this?
depends on what ipad it is usually for me i just spam the sound button and slide the volume bar like crazy then i exit the ‘tab’ of the app im calling with then it works. I have an ipad 3 (pretty old). and my repy might sound crazy but it works for me.
I am having a problem on my MAC with Facetime not allowing me to see the other person during a video call. They can see me and hear me just fine. I can see only myself and hear them clearly…just no video connection. All the setting are set just fine. Why am I not able to receive a video connection now with anyone. Any suggestions are deeply appreciated. Thank You
I am having the same problem…any answers?
I’m having this problem too. Have you had any luck resolving your issue??
I’m having the same problem. Does anyone know how to resolve this issue?
I hAve no message bubble icon on mi FaceTime screen.
I have the same problem as Frankie, it just started doing it all of a sudden, how do I fix it?
I have a question. When I am using Facetime (e.g. chatting with a friend) and I want to check something on the internet, the connection is maintained but I can’t open the Facetime screen any longer. So I only can hear my friend but there is no screen to see him. I have tried so many things but I don’t know how to solve this. I hope you can help. Thanks a lot!
This helped a lot!
I didn’t have any of these mines kind of wierd… it was like someone was watching me. Even when I wasn’t on face time a black screen was always there and i could never hang up on it or go full screen I don’t my know if I’m being dramatic .or someone was hacking me and actually watching me. then all of a sudden my iPad just restarted and it was gone for now…
Me too no one is watching you it’s just a glitch or something and whenever you try to go on a app it still has it there and like Snapchat or TikTok whenever you’re on it your screen goes black I don’t know what to do about it either you’re not alone
I honestly think I figured it out when you turn off your camera or tell the other person to turn off the camera on the FaceTime stop
HELL NAH sorry for the way I did that 😁🙃