"Smart" phone not working

[Andy in Germany]

My "smart" phone has decided it is not going to send or receive calls. If I try to call it just sits there until I "end" the call, and if I try to call the phone I get "Number not available". Oddly, when I do this, my phone later sends a message saying I've "missed a call".

I know I have money in the account, and I've tried taking the card out and replacing it. I've even ordered another SIM card when it did this a month ago. Now it's doing the same. Any ideas?

Is anyone else as concerned as I am, that these highly unreliable devices are becoming apparently mandatory?

 

[ColinJ]

Have you accidentally turned Aeroplane Mode on?

 

[Andy in Germany]

Have you accidentally turned Aeroplane Mode on?

No

 

[classic33]

Have you accidentally turned Aeroplane Mode on?

Aeroplane Mode wouldn't allow him to receive the text message about the missed call.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I've noticed that occasionally the network shows on the screen, which is probably why I can pick up the messages occasionally.

I tend to use WhatsApp for family, so with that and the intermittent nature of the problem, I suspect this is why I haven't noticed this before.

 

[ColinJ]

Is your local phone mast playing up then?

I can't get a signal in my sister's cottage but every now and then a text message will get through. I reckon that is when a plane flies overhead and reflects a signal for a split second. If I go just into the back garden I can sometimes make or receive calls, but usually can't.

 

[geocycle]

Does it work on Wi-Fi for apps and WhatsApp if you turn the mobile network off? That would narrow it down to the network.

 

[lazybloke]

Maybe it's swarming with malware, draining your accounts and mining cryptocoins.

Or there are other (legitimate) apps that are somehow interfering with basic functionality, eg storage is full. I'd do a tidy and reboot and then google how to do a safe boot on it and see if it's any better. Ultimately you might have nothing to lose from a factory reset.


Also see if it supports calls ocer wifi, it the standard phone service is dead. Could be a useful stopgap.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Is anyone else as concerned as I am, that these highly unreliable devices are becoming apparently mandatory?

Can't say I am tbh.

I only buy simple phones that have a retail of max' £200 and even then I look for offers.

Current Samsung cost £130 on a deal 2 years ago and has been 100% reliable. Ditto Mrs SD's.

If they ever get flakey I’ll simply replace them.

 

[Cycleops]

Assuming there is a fault with it and depending how old it is might not be worth sending to a repairer and you'd be better off with a new handset.
The good news is that budget phones are very good now and the equal of mid range phones of five or so years ago.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

highly unreliable devices

On what basis, a sample of one, or a sample of billions?

 

[ClichéGuevara]

Have you accidentally turned Aeroplane Mode on?

 

[classic33]

How is the Network Search done, manually or automatically?
The latter is always looking for the strongest signal, and may drop the network when switching towers/masts.

 

[Punkawallah]

On what basis, a sample of one, or a sample of billions?

We have to remember here that the sample is the most relevant one.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

We have to remember here that the sample is the most relevant one.

😂