To turn on the ringer on an Android phone, press a volume button and tap the on-screen menu icon or cycle through the sound mode icons until you see a bell. This instantly switches your phone from silent or vibrate mode back to ringing for incoming calls, solving common ringer and ringtone issues.
Turn on ringer Android with the volume button
- Press either volume button on the side of your Android phone.
- Tap the Menu icon (often three dots or a down arrow) next to the volume slider that appears on screen.
- Slide the Ring Volume level to your desired loudness.
Alternatively, if you see a Vibrate or Mute icon above the slider, tap it to cycle through the sound modes until the Ring icon (a bell) is displayed. The phone will now ring for incoming calls.
Method 2: Change the sound settings
- Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
- Tap Sound & vibration (or Sound on some devices).
- Tap Volume.
- Adjust the Ring Volume slider to your preferred level.
Android separates volume controls for different audio types: Media, Call, Ring, Notification, and Alarm. Adjusting the Ring Volume slider specifically ensures your phone rings audibly for calls without affecting other sounds. You can also adjust the ringer volume by opening your phone's 'Settings' app, tapping 'Sound & vibration' (or 'Sound'), then 'Volume,' and finally adjusting the 'Ring Volume' slider. If you want to change the ringer sound, look for the 'Ringtone' or 'Phone ringtone' option. Tap on it to select a new ringer sound from the available options or browse your device's storage to choose a custom sound. Some Android phones may also have additional settings like 'Vibrate' or 'Vibration intensity' that control the vibration along with the ringer. You can enable or disable vibration according to your preference.
Method 3: Turn off do not disturb mode
If you need to temporarily mute all incoming calls and notifications on your Android phone, you can utilize the Do Not Disturb mode. This mode allows you to customize the settings according to your needs, ensuring that only essential calls or alerts can get through. Do Not Disturb (DND) silences all notifications by default. To disable it:
- Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to fully expand Quick Settings.
- Tap the Do Not Disturb tile (often a moon icon or a "no" sign) to turn it off.
You can also disable DND by going to Settings > Sound & vibration > Do Not Disturb and toggling it off. You can also disable 'Do Not Disturb' by going to 'Settings' > 'Sound & vibration' > 'Do Not Disturb' and toggling it off. Within the Do Not Disturb settings, you can choose to allow certain contacts to bypass the Do Not Disturb mode and enable important notifications to come through. You can also specify when the Do Not Disturb mode should automatically turn on, such as during specific times or when your phone is connected to a Bluetooth device. Once disabled, your phone will ring normally for incoming calls.
Why is my Android phone still not ringing?
Could a connected Bluetooth device be the cause?
Yes. If your phone is connected to a Bluetooth headset or speaker, call audio may route there instead of the phone speaker. Disconnect the Bluetooth device or check its volume settings.
Have I accidentally blocked the caller?
Blocked numbers will not ring through. Check your blocked numbers list in the Phone app settings or your carrier's call-blocking feature.
Is the ringtone volume set to zero in a specific app?
Some Android phones let you set individual ringtone volumes per SIM or per contact. Verify that the ringtone assigned to the contact or SIM card is not set to silent.
Could a third-party app be overriding the ringer?
Check any automation apps for rules that might mute your ringer.
What if my phone still doesn't ring after all steps?
Restart your phone to clear temporary software glitches. If the issue persists, check for system updates in Settings > System > System update, as outdated software can cause audio problems. If you're still experiencing issues with the ringer not turning on, you may need to troubleshoot further or seek assistance from the manufacturer or a technical expert. If none of these solutions fix the problem, try restarting your phone or performing a factory reset if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I customize my ringtone on an Android phone?
Yes, you can customize your ringtone. Go to Settings > Sound & vibration, then tap Ringtone or Phone ringtone to choose from built-in sounds or add a custom one from your device's storage.
How can I make my Android phone vibrate instead of ringing?
To switch to vibrate mode, press a volume button and tap the sound mode icon above the slider until you see the Vibrate icon. You can also enable vibration in Settings > Sound & vibration.
Is it possible to schedule the ringer on an Android phone?
Yes, you can schedule when your phone rings using the Do Not Disturb feature. Go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Do Not Disturb to set schedules and customize which notifications can interrupt.
Why is my Android phone still not ringing after turning the ringer on?
Check if Do Not Disturb is enabled, as it silences all notifications by default. Also ensure your phone isn't connected to a Bluetooth device that might be routing audio away from the speaker.
