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Why Are My Calls Failing or Not Connecting?

Learn why calls may fail, not connect, or have no sound, and how to fix common issues like network problems, carrier blocks, country restrictions, and error messages.

Updated yesterday

If your calls are failing, not connecting, disconnecting suddenly, or you’re experiencing no sound, the issue is usually related to number formatting, internet connectivity, mobile carrier blocks, or country-specific telecom restrictions.

This article explains the most common causes, what you can try immediately, and when to contact Support.

⚠️ Common Reasons for Failed Calls (Quick Overview)

Calls may fail due to:

  • Incorrect phone number formatting

  • Premium or high-cost numbers

  • Temporary recipient unavailability

  • Internet or network issues

  • Mobile carrier VoIP blocking

  • Country-specific telecom restrictions

  • VPN or proxy usage

  • Recipient-side issues

Each reason is explained below.

1️⃣ Phone Number Formatting Errors (Most Common)

Talk360 requires phone numbers to be entered in the correct international format.

Make sure you:

  • Use this format: +CountryCodeSubscriberNumber

  • Do not use spaces, dashes, or brackets

  • Remove any leading 0 after the country code

Example (not a real number)

+44 7123456789

Incorrect formatting often results in invalid number errors or calls failing to connect.


2️⃣ Premium or High-Cost Numbers

Talk360 does not support calls to premium or high-cost numbers.

  • These numbers are blocked automatically

  • Calls will fail even if you have enough credit

If a call always fails to the same number, check whether it is a premium or special-rate number.


3️⃣ “Temporarily Unavailable” Error

This means the recipient cannot be reached right now.

Common reasons:

  • Phone is switched off

  • Poor or no network coverage

  • Temporary carrier issues on the recipient’s side

What you can do:

  • Wait 30–60 minutes and try again

  • Call another number to confirm the issue is not specific to one contact


4️⃣ Internet & Network Issues

Error message: “Invalid Internet Connection”

This error means the app cannot establish a stable internet connection, even if your phone appears online.

Why does this happen?

  • No active Wi-Fi or mobile data

  • Weak or unstable connection

  • Firewall or router blocking VoIP

  • VPN or proxy interference

  • Missing app permissions

What you may notice:

  • Calls fail immediately

  • Calls ring but disconnect

  • The connection bars at the top of the call screen show a weak or unstable signal (green means a good internet connection)

What you can try:

  • Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data

  • Restart your device or router

  • Disable VPN or proxy apps

  • Check Talk360 permissions (microphone & data access)

  • Run a speed test (minimum 5 Mbps recommended)


5️⃣ Mobile Carrier Restrictions

Error message: “Initializing”

If you see the message “Initializing” and the call never starts, this usually means your internet service provider or mobile carrier is restricting VoIP calls.

Talk360 is a VoIP service and relies on a stable internet connection. Some carriers block or limit VoIP traffic at the network level to protect their local telecom services. These restrictions are set by the carrier and cannot be bypassed by the app.

Important to know:

  • The most common country where this happens is the United Kingdom (UK) 🇬🇧, where some carriers protect local calling services

  • This issue is rarely related to app permission settings

  • In most cases, it has nothing to do with your phone or app setup

  • The restriction can happen on Wi-Fi or mobile data

  • Some users can call on Wi-Fi but not on mobile data (or the other way around)

Even with good internet, calls may fail due to carrier policy decisions, which cannot be bypassed by Talk360.

What this means

  • You may be restricted from making outgoing calls

  • Calls may fail even with a good internet connection

  • The issue can happen on Wi-Fi or mobile data

  • Some users can call on Wi-Fi but not mobile data (or the other way around)

What you can do:

Test your connections

  • Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data

  • If it works on one but not the other, the blocked network is restricting VoIP

If the call works on one network but not the other, your carrier is likely blocking VoIP.

💡 Unfortunately, carrier restrictions are outside Talk360’s control and cannot be fixed within the app.

Contact your carrier

  • Ask whether VoIP services are allowed

  • Carrier-level blocks must be handled by the provider directly

Unfortunately, carrier-level restrictions cannot be fixed within the app and must be addressed by the provider directly.


6️⃣ 🚫Country & Telecom Restrictions (Very Important)

Some countries block or limit VoIP calls due to government regulations, telecom policies, or infrastructure limitations.
These restrictions apply to all VoIP providers, not just Talk360, and are outside our control.

Below, we separate:

  1. Generally restricted countries (mostly the Middle East & similar regions)

  2. Special high-impact countries that require more explanation (China, Iran, India)

Generally Restricted Countries (Government & Telecom Blocking)

In the countries below, VoIP calls may be blocked, throttled, or unstable, depending on the local government or telecom provider.
Talk360 cannot control which routes are blocked, as these decisions are enforced locally.

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates (UAE)

  • VoIP calls are heavily restricted

  • Most VoIP calls fail or never connect

  • Blocking is enforced to protect local telecom services

  • Restrictions may change without notice

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

  • VoIP is allowed only on certain networks

  • Calls may connect but have unstable quality

  • Some ISPs block VoIP traffic entirely

🇴🇲 Oman

  • Strict VoIP regulations apply

  • Calls may be blocked or throttled

  • Call quality can vary by provider and time of day

🇶🇦 Qatar

  • VoIP restrictions are enforced

  • Local-to-local VoIP calls are often blocked

  • International VoIP calls may work, but can be unstable

🇦🇫 Afghanistan

  • Nationwide telecom and infrastructure instability

  • Calls may fail, drop, or have very poor audio

  • Connectivity depends heavily on the region and the network

🇸🇬 Singapore

  • VoIP generally works, but Caller ID (CLI) routing restrictions may apply

  • Some international routes may fail depending on regulations

Important to know for these countries

  • These blocks are set by governments or telecom providers

  • Talk360 cannot override or bypass them

  • VPNs are not supported and may worsen connectivity

  • Call success may depend on:

    • Network used

    • Time of day

    • Local routing rules

🇨🇳 China — Strictly Controlled & Unpredictable

If you’re experiencing difficulties making or receiving calls to or from China, you’re not alone.
China has very strict telecommunication regulations that significantly impact VoIP services.

Calling to China

✅ Possible, but not guaranteed
❌ Calls may be filtered, blocked, or disconnected

  • Calls may ring but not connect

  • Audio may be missing or one-way

  • Call costs may vary due to routing

Calling from China

❌ Very difficult

  • Most VoIP traffic is blocked by the Great Firewall

Why is it difficult?

Government restrictions

  • Internet-based calls are heavily regulated

  • VoIP traffic is actively monitored and filtered

Blocked or dropped calls

  • Telecom providers may block VoIP to protect local networks

  • Calls may be flagged as spam or fraud

Network issues

  • Internet filtering causes delays, poor audio, or drops

Caller ID & spam detection

  • Calls without a local Chinese number may be rejected

  • Repeated short calls (under ~10 seconds) can trigger blocks

Restricted numbers

  • Government, banking, and emergency numbers do not accept VoIP calls

What you need to know

  • These rules apply to all VoIP providers

  • There is no guarantee calls will connect

  • Success may vary by time of day

  • VPN use is not supported and often makes calls worse

🇮🇷 Iran — Unstable Networks & Government Restrictions

Calls to Iran can still be unreliable due to ongoing government restrictions and network instability.

If you’re having trouble calling Iran with Talk360, you’re not alone.
While there is no longer an active war, phone and internet services in parts of Iran remain unstable and restricted.

Why calls to Iran may not connect

  • Government controls on internet traffic, including VoIP

  • Local infrastructure under strain

  • Unstable internet access in some regions

  • Local network blocking without warning

Because these conditions change often, call quality may vary throughout the day.

What this looks like

  • Calls fail to connect

  • Calls drop mid-conversation

  • Poor or missing audio

  • Calls work sometimes, but not consistently

  • You may hear someone else, hear background noise, or be connected to the wrong person due to unstable routing and network issues inside Iran

💡 This can happen when local networks reroute calls incorrectly during congestion or restrictions. It is a known issue in regions with unstable or controlled telecom infrastructure.

What we’re doing

  • We work closely with telecom partners

  • Call routes are monitored and updated when possible

⚠️ These issues are outside our control, and we cannot guarantee call success.

What you can try

  • Wait 30–60 minutes and try again

  • If the issue continues, try again later the same day or the next day (sometimes it can take a couple of days for networks to stabilize)

  • Make sure the phone number starts with +98

  • Call at a different time of day, as availability can change

  • Avoid using VPNs, as they often make connections worse and are not supported

Your credit is safe

  • Credits remain valid for 12 months

  • Failed calls do not remove your balance

  • When service improves, your credit will still be available

🇮🇳 India — Local-to-Local VoIP Calls Are Blocked by Law

We often receive questions from users in India asking why VoIP calls between two Indian phone numbers are not possible. This is not a technical issue and is not specific to Talk360.

The short answer

VoIP calls from an Indian number to another Indian number are blocked by law in India.

Why does this happen?

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) enforces strict rules that prevent VoIP calls between local Indian numbers.

These rules exist to stop “toll bypass”, which is when internet-based calling services are used to avoid standard local call charges charged by telecom operators.

To enforce this, India requires:

  • Internet-based calls (VoIP) and traditional mobile calls to stay separate

  • Calls that start and end inside India are to go through local telecom networks only

Because of this, VoIP calls between Indian numbers are automatically blocked or flagged by telecom providers.

Can Talk360 ask the government to allow this?

We understand this question comes up often.

Unfortunately:

  • Talk360 cannot request an exception

  • There is no approval process for individual apps

  • These rules apply to all VoIP providers, not just Talk360

If a VoIP provider does not follow TRAI’s rules, it can result in:

  • Heavy fines

  • Service shutdown

  • Loss of the ability to operate in India

This is why Talk360 must strictly comply with these regulations.

What does this mean for you?

  • ❌ Indian number → Indian number = Not supported

  • ✅ Indian number → International number = Supported

  • Similar local-to-local VoIP restrictions also exist in some other countries (for example, Qatar)

What can you do instead?

  • Make international calls from your Indian number

  • If you’re abroad:

    • Register with a local number from your current country

    • Your Talk360 balance can be transferred to the new number (self-service or via Support)

⚠️ Attempting to bypass these rules is illegal and not supported.

Important to know

  • Trying to bypass these restrictions is illegal

  • Using VPNs or call routing tricks will not work and may cause account issues

  • These limitations are set by law, not by Talk360


7️⃣ Call Connects, but There Is No Sound or the Call Disconnects

If your call connects but you can’t hear the other person, they can’t hear you, or both sides have no sound, the issue is not always the network. In many cases, it’s caused by audio settings, permissions, or the device itself.

Before assuming a network problem, try the steps below.

What this may look like

  • Call connects, but both sides are silent

  • You can hear ringing, but no voice after answering

  • Audio cuts in and out, then the call disconnects

  • The problem happens with one person only, not all calls

Troubleshooting steps

🎧 Check headset or speaker issues

  • Disconnect any wired or Bluetooth headset

  • Use your phone’s built-in microphone and speaker

  • If using Bluetooth, make sure it’s properly connected or turn it off and retry

🎤 Check microphone volume & permissions

  • Make sure your microphone is not muted or set too low

  • Allow microphone access in your phone’s app settings

  • Test your microphone by recording a voice memo

Close background apps

  • Close apps that may use audio (voice recorders, assistants, call apps)

  • Restart your phone to ensure no other app is using the microphone

Check your internet connection

  • Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data

  • Run a speed test (minimum 1 Mbps upload & download)

  • Restart your router or move closer to it for a stronger signal

Check app settings & updates

  • Make sure Talk360 is updated to the latest version

  • Restart the app and try calling again

  • If the issue continues, reinstall the app

Restart your device

  • A simple restart can fix temporary audio or software issues

Test calls to multiple recipients

  • Call a different number

  • If audio works with others, the issue may be recipient-specific


8️⃣ Recipient-Side Issues (Not Related to Talk360)

In some cases, the call issue is on the recipient’s side, not with Talk360 or your internet connection.
VoIP calls depend on both ends being reachable and available at the same time.

When the issue may be on the recipient’s side

The call may fail, not connect, or disconnect if:

  • The recipient declined the call

  • Your number is blocked by the recipient

  • The recipient’s phone is switched off

  • The recipient has no signal or very poor coverage

  • The recipient is in a “dead zone” (areas with no or unstable network at that moment)

  • The recipient is already in another call

If the recipient is on another call, you may see a pop-up or message indicating that the user is busy or in another call.

Why does this happen

VoIP calls require:

  • The recipient’s phone needs to be online and reachable

  • A stable network connection on the recipient’s side

  • The recipient is to be available to accept the call

Even if your connection is perfect, the call can still fail if:

  • The recipient’s network drops temporarily

  • Their carrier experiences issues

  • Their device cannot accept incoming VoIP calls at that moment

What you can try

  • Wait a few minutes and call again

  • Try calling at a different time

  • Call another number to check if the issue is specific to one recipient

If calls work to other numbers, the issue is very likely recipient-side.


9️⃣ Error Message: “Unable to Proceed at This Time”

If you see the message “Server Error: Unable to proceed at this time”, it means the Talk360 app cannot connect to our servers at that moment.

This is usually caused by a network or internet issue, not by your account or credit.

Why does this error appears

This message can appear when:

  • There is no internet connection

  • Your Wi-Fi router is blocking VoIP services

  • Your internet or mobile network provider is blocking VoIP traffic

How to check and fix it

Test different connections

  1. First, switch to mobile data (3G/4G/5G) and try calling

  2. Then switch back to Wi-Fi and test again

  • If the error appears on Wi-Fi but not on mobile data, your Wi-Fi network is blocking VoIP

  • If the error appears on mobile data but not Wi-Fi, your mobile carrier is blocking VoIP

What you can do

  • Use the connection where the error does not appear

  • Restart your router or device

  • Avoid using VPNs or proxy apps

  • Make sure your internet connection is active and stable

When to contact Support

If the error continues on both Wi-Fi and mobile data, please contact Support via the app.

When reaching out, include:

  • Whether you were using Wi-Fi or mobile data

  • The exact error message shown on your screen

This helps us assist you faster.

🔐 Using a VPN App (Important Information)

Some users ask whether they should use a VPN when making calls with Talk360.

Using a VPN is your personal choice. Talk360 does not require, demand, or prevent users from using a VPN.

However, it’s important to understand how VPNs can affect call connectivity and where our responsibility ends.

How VPNs affect Talk360 calls

Talk360 is a VoIP service that relies on direct and stable internet routing.
VPNs change how your internet traffic is routed, which can lead to:

  • Calls not connecting

  • Calls disconnecting suddenly

  • No audio or one-way audio

  • Incorrect call routing

  • Error messages such as “Initializing” or “Unable to proceed at this time”

In some cases, VPN apps can also cause:

  • App crashes

  • Device performance issues

  • Increased battery usage

Responsibility and support limitations

While you are free to use a VPN:

  • Talk360 cannot support or troubleshoot VPN-related issues

  • We are not responsible for call failures caused by VPN routing, blocking, or instability

  • Issues caused by VPNs fall outside our control and support scope

Legal considerations (Important)

In some regions, especially parts of the Middle East and Asia, VPN usage may be restricted or illegal.

Any legal implications related to VPN use are the user’s responsibility.
Talk360 assumes no responsibility for legal or regulatory consequences linked to VPN usage.

What we recommend

  • If you experience call issues, turn off the VPN and try again

  • Use a direct internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data)

  • Restart the app after disabling the VPN

Common misunderstanding

“Using a VPN will unblock calls”

This is not guaranteed and often has the opposite effect, especially in restricted countries.

💬 Still Need Help?

If your calls still don’t work after following the steps above, our Support team is happy to help.

📱 Contact us via the in-app message
💻 Or via webchat on our website

Please include:

  • The country you’re calling to and from

  • Whether you’re using Wi-Fi or mobile data

  • The exact error message

This helps us assist you faster 😊

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