Calls may refuse to forward, or refuse to stop forwarding, and that is the usual shape of call forwarding not working. Both come from the same place. Forwarding is stored on the network, not only on your phone, so a phone setting can say one thing while the network does another.
That is why a switch may look off in the settings and yet your calls still go elsewhere. The steps below help you check the real status, clear old rules, and set a fresh one with fewer ways for it to fail.
Common causes
1Weak or no signal when you save the setting
How to tellSettings page shows an error or stays on loading
What fixes itGo where the signal is strong and set it again, with airplane mode off
2Wrong or incomplete forwarding number
How to tellCalls ring out, go to a wrong person or fail at once
What fixes itType the full number correctly and test with a call from another phone
3An old rule still active
How to tellPhone shows forwarding off but calls still go elsewhere
What fixes itClear all forwarding rules, then restart and check again
4Plan or SIM does not allow it
How to tellSetting fails with a network error every time
What fixes itAsk the provider whether forwarding is allowed on your SIM
5Wrong SIM chosen on dual SIM phone
How to tellYou set it on one SIM but call the other number
What fixes itOpen the settings of the right SIM and set it there
6Forward only when busy or unanswered is set, not always
How to tellForwarding works only sometimes
What fixes itCheck which type is active: always, busy, no answer, unreachable
7Switched off phone or data conflict
How to tellCalls to an off phone forward to nowhere
What fixes itSet the unreachable rule, or use voicemail if your plan offers it
How to fix it, step by step
Find out what is really set
Open the dialler and look at its settings, then Calls, then Call forwarding (the exact wording changes with the phone brand and SIM). On iPhone, go to Settings, then Phone, then Call Forwarding. Wait for it to load. If it shows a spinning wheel or an error, the phone cannot reach the network, and you should fix signal first.
Make sure you have signal and airplane mode is off
Forwarding settings are saved on the network. If your signal is weak, the save can fail without a clear message. Stand near a window and try again. For signal problems, read mobile data not working.
Clear all forwarding rules
On most networks, you can dial ##002# and press call to cancel all forwarding rules at once. If your provider does not accept it, switch off each type separately in the phone's forwarding menu. Wait for the confirmation message before moving on.
Restart and re-check the status
Restart the phone and open the forwarding menu again. All types should show off. Call your number from a different phone to confirm the calls ring normally on your phone.
Set one rule only, with the full number
Turn on just the type you want, for example when unanswered or when busy, and enter the number with the country code if it is a different region. Save it and wait for the confirmation. Setting several rules at once makes faults harder to find.
Test from a second phone
Call your number from another phone and watch what happens. If you hear the ring on the forwarded phone, it works. If the call fails, remove the rule and check that the target number can accept calls at all.
Check the correct SIM and the Wi-Fi calling setting
On a dual SIM phone, forwarding is stored per SIM. Also check whether Wi-Fi calling is on, because some phones handle forwarding differently then. See WiFi calling not working if that feature acts up.
Ask the provider to check the SIM side
Should the setting keep failing, get in touch with the provider through its app or store. Ask whether forwarding is enabled on your number and whether any rule is stuck at their end. Keep any codes you receive private, even from callers who say they are helping.
How call forwarding works, and why call forwarding not working happens
When you turn on forwarding, your phone sends a request to the network. The network stores the rule against your number and acts on it even if your phone is off. That means three places can disagree: the phone screen, the network, and the number you forward to. Most failures happen when the request did not reach the network, when the target number cannot receive calls, or when an old rule overrides the new one.
Call forwarding types and what each one does
| Type | When calls move | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Always | Every call goes to the other number | Left on by accident, phone never rings |
| When busy | You are already on a call | Expecting it to work when you just ignore the call |
| When unanswered | Phone rings but you do not pick up | Short ring time means missed forwards |
| When unreachable | Phone is off or out of signal | Number typed wrong |
If calls are not reaching your phone at all and no rule is set, the SIM may be at fault, so look at SIM card not working.
##002# not working
The code ##002# is a standard code meant to cancel all call forwarding on a SIM. It works on many networks but not all, and some phones block codes typed in the dialler. If you see connection problem or invalid MMI code, your signal may be poor or the network may not accept it. Try again with better signal, or use the forwarding menu in the phone settings to switch each type off. Past that point, the provider can wipe the rules from their end.
You dial the cancel code and get Connection problem or invalid MMI code. Your signal shows one bar. Move near a window and dial again, then check the forwarding menu.
Calls still forward after turning it off
Turn forwarding off for every type, not just one, and check both SIMs on a dual SIM phone. Some people also forget the voicemail or call divert rule saved by the provider. A rule set from another phone using the same SIM will still apply. If all rules show off in the phone but calls still move, the network copy may be stuck, and only the provider can clear it.
When to contact the provider
Contact them if the menu shows an error every time, if calls divert while all rules read off, or if the forward target works but never receives calls. Give the number, the time you tried and the message you saw. Keep the notes short and clear so the agent can check the right rule.
Be careful with forwarding. A scammer who gets you to set forwarding to their number can catch OTP calls. If you did not set a forward, clear all rules and tell your provider.
Frequently asked questions
Why is call forwarding not working on my phone?
The rule may not have saved because of weak signal, the number may be wrong, or the plan may block it. Clear all rules, restart, and set one rule with the full number.
Why is ##002# not working?
The code needs network signal and is not accepted by every network or phone. Move to a better signal spot, try again, or switch each forwarding type off in the phone menu.
How do I check whether call forwarding is on?
Open the call settings and the forwarding menu for the right SIM. Wait for each type to load. If it will not load, you do not have a good enough signal.
Why does call forwarding work only sometimes?
You may have set a conditional rule, such as when busy or unanswered, which triggers only in those cases. Check the type and the ring time.
Why are my calls forwarding without my setting?
Another device or the provider side may hold a rule. Clear all forwarding, and if it returns, tell your provider and change any account passwords.