If you frequently use FaceTime, you may occasionally bump into issues like hanging up, pausing, or generally failing. No user wants to face these, especially when in the middle of critical calls.
So, when and why does FaceTime hang up? In most cases, FaceTime issues start when you have problems with your internet connection. It will keep hanging up if the WIFI or cellular data is unstable on either side of the call. Hang-ups are also possible if the app or your Apple device has bugs interfering with normal operations. Therefore, you will need to tweak your network, update your gadget, or restart the app and the device to eliminate these issues.
Sometimes your FaceTime connection drops when you are in the middle of a video or audio call, ruining the entire conversation. Even if you are not a victim of these mishaps, they can still happen to you at some point. Therefore, it is necessary to know when and why they occur.
The most common reason behind FaceTime or any other online app having issues is poor network. Therefore, you will run into problems if your WIFI or cellular data is too slow or unreliable, and the same applies to the person you are calling.
System bugs are also responsible for most FaceTime issues, especially if you run outdated software or versions that do not entirely support the app. These bugs are random, minor, and easily solvable by the user in most cases.
You will probably bump into issues with your FaceTime because it is very particular, like most online chatting platforms. It would be best to have a stable internet connection to run it effortlessly.
Otherwise, you will deal with frequent glitches, which will affect your communication. The app is also easily affected by bugs within its system or your Apple device. Therefore, if you are confident that there is nothing wrong with your internet connection, the likely explanation is that you have bugs.
Luckily, most of these problems are easy to solve, and you can do quick troubleshooting even if you are not tech-savvy. They will take less than five minutes to repair, and the following section will prove this.
How To Fix FaceTime Hanging Up
By knowing the potential reasons for FaceTime acting up when you want to use it, it is easier to discuss the solutions to these problems. Hang-ups can happen randomly or constantly for many users. Hence, it is critical to find the most effective remedies to the problem, and the following are the best hacks you can use.
The first most apparent remedy is to restart your Apple device and FaceTime simultaneously; this way, you can solve issues with the gadget and the app simultaneously. Secondly, you can confirm that your internet connection is working perfectly, reliable and fast.
If your WIFI or cellular data is okay, you can reset the network to eliminate issues. It is also crucial to ensure that you are running on the latest software or, if not, update your device to eliminate any existing bugs. Lastly, you can check your time and date setting and turn it to automatic to be safe.
You will only need a few minutes to try some remedies to improve FaceTime’s performance. The following steps will be handy if you deal with failure, hanging up, and connection issues.
- Restart the Device or FaceTime
If you have issues with your device or apps, the first thing to try is to restart them. It may seem simple but it goes a long way in fixing some programming errors. If FaceTime keeps hanging up seconds into the call, you can turn it off then back on to see whether there are any changes.
For this, go to Settings on your tablet or phone, find FaceTime, and click the switch next to it to disable it. Afterward, restart your gadget, go back to Settings, turn the app on and try calling again. Alternatively, if you have a Mac, you will open the app, select it from the Menu bar and switch it off. Lastly, restart your PC and re-enable FaceTime.
- Check the Connection
The main issue with online applications is that they usually run smoothly as long as there is a stable internet connection. A poor network can lead to FaceTime hanging up frequently when establishing the network. It is best to confirm that you and the caller have a robust, fast, uninterrupted WIFI or cellular connection.
If you have WIFI, check that the signal is perfect and don’t stay too close to the router. Try turning the network off, then back on, or find alternatives like using a wired connection if you have a Mac. If nothing works, you can take online network speed tests to ensure that your network is operating as it should.
- Reset the Network
If you are sure that your WIFI or cellular connection is okay but you still have issues with FaceTime, perhaps you need a network reset. However, before doing this, it is essential to remember that the process will erase all the information about your internet settings, including WIFI passwords and Bluetooth networks.
It is still an effective method, and you won’t lose personal files. To do this, navigate your phone or tablet and locate Settings, go to General and Reset the network. You may lose your network customizations, but the connection may return to its original operations.
- Update the Software
Outdated Apple gadgets are prone to bug issues, explaining why the company constantly releases system updates to eliminate the problems in the previous versions. Therefore, FaceTime may likely hang up if you have not upgraded to the latest iPadOS, macOS, or iOS software versions.
These updates improve app operations and come with bug fixes. You can scroll to your tablet or phone under the settings to check whether Apple has released a new system update. If you have a Mac, you will find the release from the system preferences. If you find one, it will be safe to download, then install it and recheck whether FaceTime is working better.
- Check Time and Date Settings
It is quite an unusual troubleshooting method but you’ll be surprised that it also works. If you moved to a new place or are traveling, you can manually make the settings when you go to your phone or iPad under settings and general or go to system preferences if you have a Mac. Most users have set the time and date to automatic to avoid these glitches.
Why Does FaceTime Fail?
The Covid pandemic has shifted how people interact, and you will realize that many now use FaceTime to communicate with their loved ones. Therefore, the app must run smoothly; otherwise, it will interrupt many connections. If you have any issues with your app, the following insights might help you get it back up and running.
FaceTime may fail if unavailable in your country, meaning that every call you make will fail to connect. The connection may also be faulty if you don’t have a reliable internet connection or didn’t enable the application before using it.
Additionally, outdated FaceTime software may have performance issues if there are bugs in the system. Another probable reason for failure is if you are transferring carriers and, in the process, interfere with the app’s smooth functioning.
Some countries restrict using FaceTime for various reasons, and you will realize that Apple sometimes supplies iPhones in such states but without the pre-installed app. Moreover, porting your phone number to a different service provider may cause faults unless you consult with your carrier, letting them tackle the issue and fully reinstate your contacts. Note that every update on the FaceTime software comes with additional adjustments to enhance app functionality.
The older models frequently get bug attacks, and you will likely run into them unless you make software updates. Besides, if you are a first-timer in FaceTime, the chances are high that your log-ins may fail despite making several attempts.
The errors may be due to using an incompatible Apple ID or poor internet connection. Also, remember that FaceTime calls can fail when either you or your friend have unintentionally blocked each other.
Consequently, your calls to each other will not go through unless the affected party leaves the blocklist. Generally, FaceTime is a popular app with millions of users worldwide, and it rarely fails. The hitches will only be minor and easy to solve even when it does.
For starters, if FaceTime was previously working fine and suddenly stops connecting, you can first confirm that the internet is stable and later check that you have the latest software version. You can restart your router and device, adjust your DNS settings, and confirm that your Apple ID is correct.
The most current FaceTime upgrades are better and run smoothly, unlike the previous versions that likely have bugs. Ensure always to keep the application up-to-date. In other cases, you may be calling on FaceTime, yet you haven’t enabled it in the background or have restricted the cameras.
One way to solve these issues is by going to FaceTime Settings then General to enable the app and cameras, but if the case persists, you can switch the phone off then back on. If these methods don’t work, you can check whether you accidentally blocked the number you are trying to reach. If you bar any contact on the iPhone’s regular directory, it will also apply to FaceTime.
Why Does FaceTime Pause?
FaceTime has effectively provided a convenient communication platform for its users. Although Apple is committed to offering the best services, their gadgets can also bump into issues. One of the problems you can encounter with FaceTime is frequent pausing during calls.
Your device will automatically pause FaceTime if you have changed tabs and are online for other reasons like browsing or using other applications in the background. Another logical explanation for abrupt pausing is when receiving another call simultaneously.
In this case, you will have three options; you can send that call to voicemail, accept and hold, or accept and cancel. Before pressing any of these commands, the video call will temporarily stop to let you decide on an action.
At this time, FaceTime will hold but the voice chat remains active. You can jump to a different program on your Apple device even when using FaceTime. For instance, you may want to send an urgent message, look at some old photos, or check your email.
FaceTime video chats will stop automatically during such instances, although you will still have the audio running in the background the whole time. When the video pauses, the recipient cannot see anything you are doing unless you switch back to the app.
Also, note that opening any program on your device that requires the camera will immediately pause the video call. Similarly, any incoming call will hold your video chat. Before you decide what to do with the phone ringing, the video will pause, leaving the audio functioning typically.
To keep using FaceTime, you can opt to send the call to voicemail for you to listen to it later. Alternatively, you may decide to cancel it if it is not very urgent, although you may have no choice but to end the video call and accept the incoming if it is crucial.
Fortunately, a new feature called PIP (Picture in picture) for the current iPhone version allows you to do other things on your phone without pausing FaceTime. With this setting on iOS 14 and later models, you can text, browse, and even add some music in the background without interfering with the app. However, you won’t use the camera with the app, hence the feature will fail to work if the other program needs your phone’s camera.
Finally
FaceTime issues rarely happen but they are easy to solve even when they do. These problems are due to system bugs or poor networks in most cases. If you are one of the users whose app keeps hanging or fails to make calls, you can troubleshoot it.
Most importantly, you can check whether your network is stable enough for FaceTime to run effortlessly. Next, try restarting the app or your Apple gadget to eliminate bugs. Another simple fix is to restart your phone, mac, or tablet and do the same for FaceTime.
Additionally, you can check whether there is a new update since new releases always come with bug fixes. Lastly, you can set your time and date to automatic to avoid issues when you travel to different locations.
