There are moments when you pick up your phone to call someone important to you, only to be met with an automated message stating, “We’re sorry, the number you have dialed has calling restrictions that have prevented the completion of your call.”📞

It can be quite frustrating to hear this, especially when all you want is to connect with that person. Disappointed and confused, you wonder why you can’t reach someone you care about, and you feel helpless in trying to communicate with them.

Let’s explore what might be causing this issue and how to resolve it quickly.

🔑Key Highlights
  • Calling restrictions are usage limits or settings that prevent your call from getting through.
  • When you travel internationally, your carrier might limit international calling to prevent excessive charges.
  • You may experience calling restrictions, and unpaid bills are one of the common reasons for calling restrictions.
  • Understanding the common causes and troubleshooting steps can help you resolve and quickly restore normal calling functionality without unnecessary delays.
  • You may face communication distributions due to some settings and applications on your device and restrictions imposed by the carrier.

 

Calling Restriction: What Does It Mean?

What is Calling Restriction

Call restriction is a feature that makes calling someone impossible. It’s a limitation set in a phone line or mobile account, developed to control outgoing or incoming calls. There may be many reasons for call restriction, such as billing issues, usage limits, caller restrictions, international barriers to calling, and so on.

Calling restrictions are usage limits or settings that prevent your call from getting through. They were set as a means of security to prevent unauthorized or too costly phone use. Calling restrictions may be applied depending on what the user signed up for in the phone plan or service provider. 

Calling restrictions are limitations placed on the capability to make or receive telephone calls associated with a given phone number.

The network provider can implement these restrictions, or you can easily set them yourself. Such measures can impact communication by controlling who can reach the user and the user’s ability to contact others.

At times, carrier-specific restrictions, along with those applying to the device you use, may hinder you from making calls.

Check Out: What is a Restricted Call, and How to Block It?

Common Causes of Calling Restrictions

If you are unable to call someone or someone is unable to call you without your knowledge, consider disabling certain features on your phone or landline, such as Do Not Disturb mode or Airplane mode. 

Additionally, the issue may be related to carrier-specific restrictions, such as billing and payment problems, usage limits, or other related concerns. 

Here are two main causes of calling restrictions:

A. Restrictions Imposed by the Carrier

  • Unpaid Bills

If people have outstanding dues, their carriers might restrict their calling privileges. Sometimes, your phone carrier may block your number for not paying phone bills. You may experience calling restrictions, and unpaid bills are one of the common reasons for calling restrictions.

  • Exceeding Usage Limits

If you’ve surpassed your monthly minutes or data usage, your carrier may charge temporary calling restrictions. Most mobile plans come with specific limits on call minutes, text messages, or data usage. 

  • Roaming Restrictions

When you travel internationally, your carrier might limit international calling to prevent excessive charges. These restrictions are designed to avoid unexpected phone charges. So, you may experience calling restrictions when you are traveling internationally.

  • Network Outages or Technical Issues

Temporary disruptions in the network can prevent calls from going through. Sometimes, your phone carrier may experience network outages or technical issues during these periods, you may experience calling restrictions.

  • Account Issues

If you have a problem with your account, such as identity verification or security concerns, it can lead to restrictions. Incorrect account information, fraudulent activity, and other technical issues may also trigger restrictions.

B. Settings and Applications on the Device

  • Do Not Disturb Mode

This mode silences calls and notifications. If someone wants to call you but you have enabled Do Not Disturb (DND) Mode, you may experience a calling restriction.

  • Airplane Mode

This mode disables all wireless connections, including cellular. Like DND or Do Not Disturb mode, Airplane mode works similarly to DND. It disconnects all wireless communication and cellular services, such as calls and SMS.

  • Call Blocking Apps 

These apps can block specific numbers or types of calls. Call-blocking applications are designed to block spam or unwanted calls. These apps filter calls based on specific criteria, which may lead to calling restrictions.

  • Device Settings

Incorrect network settings or software glitches can interfere with calling functionality. Certain mobile phone settings, like manually enabling call barring, can restrict calls. 

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Calling Restrictions

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Calling Restrictions

If you are having issues related to calling restrictions, don’t panic. Stay calm and search for some quick solutions. 

Calling restrictions can be very annoying, especially when you need to be connected urgently. Understanding the common causes and troubleshooting steps can help you resolve and quickly restore normal calling functionality without unnecessary delays. 

Let’s take a look at some steps to fix calling restrictions effectively and quickly:

1. Check Your Carrier

  • Ensure all your bills are paid.
  • Verify that you haven’t exceeded your monthly minutes or data.
  • If you’re traveling, check if your carrier has any restrictions.
  • Contact your carrier to resolve any account-related problems.

2. Review Device Settings

  • Disable Do Not Disturb Mode to allow incoming calls.
  • Turn off Airplane Mode to enable cellular connectivity.
  • Temporarily disable any call-blocking apps.
  • Ensure your network settings are correct and your SIM card is inserted properly.

3. Restart Your Device

  • Turn off your device and wait for 10 seconds before restarting.
  • Check if the issue resolves after the restart.
  • Clear temporary glitches by restarting your device regularly.
  • Restart your device in Safe Mode to identify app-related issues.

4. Update Your Device Software

  • Go to your phone’s settings and check for software updates.
  • Download and install the latest updates if available.
  • Ensure your device has enough storage to process updates.
  • Restart your device after updating to finalize the installation.

5. Check Network Coverage

  • Move to an open area with better signal reception.
  • Confirm that you’re within your carrier’s coverage area.
  • Check if the issue continues in different locations.
  • Ensure your device is set to the correct network mode (e.g., LTE, 3G).

6. Try a Different SIM Card

  • Insert another working SIM card into your device.
  • Test if the issue is with your SIM or the phone.
  • Clean the SIM card’s gold contacts before inserting it again.
  • Ensure your SIM card is properly seated in the slot.

7. Contact Your Carrier’s Customer Support

  • Reach out to customer support via phone or chat for assistance.
  • Provide details about the error messages or restrictions.
  • Ask if there are technical issues with your account or area.
  • Request troubleshooting steps or escalate the issue if unresolved.

You may face communication distributions due to some settings and applications on your device and restrictions imposed by the carrier. These troubleshooting steps can help you easily and quickly resolve issues related to calling restrictions.

Also Read: How to Call a Blocked Number On iOS and Android?

How to Avoid Calling Restrictions when Dialing a Number?

Avoiding calling restrictions when dialing a number often involves ensuring compliance with regulations, using the right technology, and understanding the root causes of these restrictions.

Here are some tips to prevent for number you have dialed has calling restrictions:

I. Verify The Number

Firstly, you need to verify that you are dialing the correct numbers, including the area code. If you type mistake numbers, your call can be restricted. So, you need to ensure you have dialed the correct numbers. 

Avoid using outdated or inactive numbers that may result in failed connections. Double-check the number for accuracy before dialing.

II. Check Your Account Status.

Check your account status, such as unpaid bills or services. Unpaid bills or services can also lead to calling restrictions, so make sure your phone service account is active and in good standing.

To avoid service interruptions, keep your bills paid, monitor your usage limits, and resolve any account-related issues promptly.

III. Avoid Using Call Blocker Apps

If you have installed call-blocking apps, then it may mistakenly filter legitimate numbers. You need to review the app’s block list and adjust settings as needed. Also, ensure important numbers aren’t flagged as spam by your call blocker apps.

 You can easily avoid calling restrictions by temporarily disabling the call blocker apps if you notice some issues with having calls. Avoiding call blocker apps can help minimize calling restrictions when dialing a number.

IV. Use Call Return Features

One of the most effective ways to avoid calling restrictions when dialing numbers is to use call return features. If you miss a call, these features can ensure you dial the correct numbers, reducing errors from manually entering numbers.

Some carriers offer callback options, which help bypass potential restrictions. If supported, you need to confirm that the feature is enabled on your mobile phone. Using call return features may allow you to bypass calling restrictions in certain situations. 

V. Update Your Device Software

To avoid calling restrictions, you may need to update your device’s operating software. This ensures compatibility with carrier networks and keeps your apps updated to prevent conflicts with device settings. 

Remember to restart your mobile phone after major updates to ensure smooth functioning. It’s annoying to face calling restrictions while dialing a number. Keeping your device software updated is crucial, and often, this includes fixing bugs that help you resolve issues related to calling restrictions.

Conclusion

While encountering calling restrictions can be inconvenient, understanding the causes behind these restrictions and how to address them is essential for effective communication.

Whether the problem is due to carrier settings, account issues, or international restrictions, there are clear steps you can take to fix it and stay connected.

Try Dialaxy’s virtual cloud phone system for seamless, unrestricted calling. If you run into any issues, Dialaxy’s customer support is here to help anytime you need it.

FAQs

How to Remove Call Restrictions on Android?

To remove calling restrictions on Android, here are some tips:

  • Check your account status
  • Inspect call setting
  • Restart your device
  • Update software
  • Check airplane mode
  • Contact your carrier

Are there any third-party apps that can help remove call restrictions?

There are various third-party apps to manage call restrictions, such as:

  • Truecaller
  • TrapCall
  • Mr.Number
  • Blacklist Plus
  • Call Blacklist
  • Call control

What are the common causes of calling restrictions?

The common causes of calling restrictions are:

  • Dialing the wrong number or incorrect area code
  • The recipient’s phone service is inactive due to unpaid bills
  • The recipient having call restrictions set up on their account
  • Network issues affecting call connectivity

What should I do if I suspect network issues?

Test your connection by calling other numbers. If you experience similar issues, contact your service provider for assistance.

Can I resolve this issue related to calling restrictions on my own?

While some issues can be resolved by checking your settings (like Airplane mode or Do Not Disturb), others may require contacting the recipient or their service provider for clarification.

How can I prevent future calling restriction messages?

Ensure your account is in good standing with your service provider, keep track of any changes in contact information for people you frequently call, and verify that your plan covers the types of calls you wish to make.

How do I turn off calling restrictions on Android?

Here’s how to turn off calling restrictions on an Android phone:

  • Open the Google Phone app.
  • Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Settings.
  • Go to Calls and then Call Barring.
  • Select All Incoming (it should show as “Disabled”).
  • Enter the call barring password when prompted.
  • Confirm to turn it off.

Prasanta Raut

Prasanta, founder and CEO of Dialaxy, is redefining SaaS with creativity and dedication. Focused on simplifying sales and support, he drives innovation to deliver exceptional value and shape a new era of business excellence.

Prasanta, founder and CEO of Dialaxy, is redefining SaaS with creativity and dedication. Focused on simplifying sales and support, he drives innovation to deliver exceptional value and shape a new era of business excellence.