Why can't I place a call over WiFi if there is no cellular signal?

[Android Central Question]

I have WiFi Calling enabled on my phone but it won't work if I have absolutely no cellular signal. It only works if the call is initiated on the cellular signal and then switches over to WiFi because the signal is bad.

This is definitely true of outgoing calls and I believe is true of incoming calls too - harder to test that definitively but I've been getting voicemails without the phone ever ringing.

 

[Laura Knotek]

What phone do you have? What carrier do you have? Is it a phone branded to your carrier or an unlocked phone purchased elsewhere? Are you using a MVNO, rather than a regular carrier? Please join and provide more details.
https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154&p=3754645&viewfull=1#post3754645

 

[mustang7757]

Reboot your WiFi router?

 

[jessiegdae]

More info: It's a Samsung Galaxy s10e. Verizon network but the phone was purchased as an unlocked refurbished from another seller. Restarting the router does not help.

 

[Laura Knotek]

More info: It's a Samsung Galaxy s10e. Verizon network but the phone was purchased as an unlocked refurbished from another seller. Restarting the router does not help.

Welcome to Android Central.

Please show us a screenshot of the software information from the about phone settings. For example this is mine.

 

[jessiegdae]

Here you go, thanks. I also got a screenshot of the message that displays when I do try to make a call over WiFi without any cellular signal present.

 

[Mr Bojangles1]

Things to try:
-toggle airplane mode on then off.
-remove sim card and reinsert.
-try a different wifi.
-reset network settings.

Other than that, you might have to call your carrier and ask about it.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Here you go, thanks. I also got a screenshot of the message that displays when I do try to make a call over WiFi without any cellular signal present.

That's strange. You have the factory unlocked from Samsung firmware, not the carrier firmware from a different carrier. I just tested on mine which also is factory unlocked from Samsung and put mine in airplane mode and then turned on WiFi and was able to make a phone call.

 

[jessiegdae]

So, turns out it works (at least when on airplane mode, haven't tested it when there's just no signal) if I connect it to my secondary WiFi network. Same router. Still a bit of a mystery, but I guess I'll just leave my phone on that one.

 

[Kizzy Catwoman]

Glad you found a solution

 

[mustang7757]

So, turns out it works (at least when on airplane mode, haven't tested it when there's just no signal) if I connect it to my secondary WiFi network. Same router. Still a bit of a mystery, but I guess I'll just leave my phone on that one.

I would still reboot your router