When you’ve just switched to Verizon or upgraded your phone, not being able to make calls—or even receive them—is incredibly frustrating. The good news? This problem is fixable. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you resolve this issue completely.
Check If Your Number Transfer Fully Completed
One of the most common reasons a newly activated phone can’t make calls is a stuck or incomplete number transfer (port). Even if you see signal bars, your number might still not be fully registered on Verizon’s network.
- Visit Verizon’s Port Status Page and check if your port shows “Active” and fully completed.
- If the port shows “in progress” or unclear status, contact Verizon’s Port Center directly at (800) 922-0204 and ask them to manually verify your port status.
Power Cycle Your Phone and Test in Different Locations
A simple power cycle (turning your phone off and back on) solves more connection issues than you might think.
- Power off your phone completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on.
- Try making a call.
- If the issue persists, move to a different location—some areas may have spotty network signals during activation.
Check Physical SIM or eSIM Setup
A misconfigured SIM—whether physical or eSIM—can block calls.
- Physical SIM Users: Remove the SIM card and reinsert it, ensuring it fits snugly.
- eSIM Users: Remove any physical SIM card if you previously used one. Running both physical and eSIM can cause conflicts. If Verizon already tried eSIM activation, ask them to generate a fresh eSIM.
Verify Carrier Settings and Software Updates
Keeping your iPhone updated helps prevent compatibility issues.
- Go to Settings > General > About. Confirm the Carrier reads “Verizon.” Also, check for an ICCID number (this is your SIM identifier).
- If you see “Unknown” or the wrong carrier, your activation likely failed.
- While in Settings > General, tap Software Update and install any pending updates.
Turn Off Find My iPhone on Your Old Device
If you switched from another iPhone, Find My iPhone (FMIP) could be blocking the new phone’s activation.
- If you still have your old phone, go to Settings > Your Name > Find My > Find My iPhone and turn it off.
- If you no longer have the device, sign in to iCloud.com, go to Find Devices, and remove the old phone from your account.
Double-Check Cellular and Data Settings
Incorrect settings can cause call failures even if everything else looks fine.
- Go to Settings > Cellular and ensure:
- Cellular Data is ON
- Data Roaming is ON under Cellular Data Options
- Back in Settings > Cellular, scroll down and check that all apps are allowed to use Cellular Data.
Test Incoming Calls and Data Usage
These simple tests give important clues:
- Have someone call you. Does your phone ring, or does it go straight to voicemail?
- Open a browser or app that uses data. Does it load?
- If you see errors like “Welcome to Verizon Wireless. Your call cannot be completed as dialed,” that’s a strong sign of incomplete activation or SIM issues.
Contact Verizon Support Directly If Needed
If none of the above steps work, contact Verizon directly from a different phone or through the My Verizon app.
- Verizon Wireless Support Phone: (800) 922-0204
- Verizon Wireless Website: Verizon Support
When you call, explain that:
- You confirmed the port status.
- You checked the physical SIM or eSIM.
- You verified all settings and software.
Ask them to:
- Sync your service provisioning in their system.
- Regenerate a new eSIM if you’re using one.
- Re-provision your account if you’re using a physical SIM.
Consider Device Defects (Rare but Possible)
If you’ve tried every fix and Verizon confirms your account is correctly set up, there’s a chance your phone itself could have a hardware defect.
- Visit your nearest Verizon store for hands-on diagnosis.
- You can also initiate a device exchange directly via Verizon’s Website.
If your phone is defective, Verizon will either repair or replace it depending on your warranty.
Wrapping It Up
Activated new phone issues almost always trace back to a porting hiccup, SIM conflict, or incomplete provisioning. By following the steps above, you’ll either fix the problem yourself—or have all the information Verizon needs to correct it fast.