Why Does My Wifi Disconnect Every Time I Make A Phone Call

If your Wi-Fi cuts out every time you make or receive a phone call, you're not imagining things—and you're far from alone. This frustrating issue affects many smartphone users, particularly on older devices or in areas with spotty cellular coverage. While it may seem like a random glitch, the root causes are often technical, predictable, and, most importantly, fixable. Understanding why this happens requires a look into how modern smartphones manage connectivity between Wi-Fi and cellular networks, especially during voice calls.

The disruption isn't always due to poor hardware or software bugs. Instead, it's frequently tied to network design choices made by carriers, device limitations, or settings that prioritize one type of connection over another. The good news? With the right knowledge and adjustments, you can significantly reduce or even eliminate these disconnections.

Understanding the Core Conflict: Wi-Fi vs. Cellular During Calls

Modern smartphones are designed to handle multiple types of wireless communication: Wi-Fi for data-heavy tasks, Bluetooth for accessories, and cellular networks for calls and texts. However, not all phones can maintain a strong Wi-Fi connection while simultaneously using the cellular radio for a voice call—especially if they lack support for advanced calling technologies.

When you initiate a call, your phone must connect to a nearby cell tower. On older or budget devices, the hardware may not support concurrent use of LTE data and voice calls. As a result, the phone temporarily drops its Wi-Fi connection or switches to 2G/3G (which supports simultaneous voice and data) to maintain call quality. This switch can cause apps like messaging services, streaming platforms, or background downloads to pause or disconnect.

This behavior is known as \"voice fallback\" or \"circuit-switched fallback,\" where the phone reverts to an older network standard to handle the call. During this transition, any active Wi-Fi session may be deprioritized or dropped entirely, leading to the perception that Wi-Fi has disconnected.

Tip: If your phone supports VoLTE (Voice over LTE), enable it in settings—it allows calls and data to run simultaneously without dropping Wi-Fi.

Key Causes Behind Wi-Fi Disconnection During Calls

Several factors contribute to Wi-Fi disruptions during phone calls. Identifying which applies to your situation is the first step toward resolution.

1. Lack of VoLTE Support or Activation

Voice over LTE enables high-quality voice calls over the 4G LTE network without interrupting data service. Without VoLTE, your phone falls back to 3G or even 2G networks during calls, which typically don’t support simultaneous data and voice. This forces the system to suspend Wi-Fi-dependent processes or disconnect entirely.

2. Carrier Limitations

Even if your phone supports VoLTE, your carrier might not have enabled it on your account or in your region. Some carriers disable VoLTE by default or restrict it based on plan type. Additionally, rural or low-coverage areas may lack the infrastructure needed for stable VoLTE performance.

3. Device Hardware Constraints

Budget or older smartphones often lack the dual-antenna systems required to handle both Wi-Fi and cellular signals at full strength simultaneously. In such cases, the phone may automatically disable Wi-Fi during a call to prevent signal interference or conserve battery.

4. Network Congestion and Signal Interference

In densely populated areas, electromagnetic interference from nearby devices or competing signals can disrupt wireless operations. When making a call, increased power usage by the cellular radio may interfere with the Wi-Fi antenna, especially in compact phone designs.

5. Software Bugs or Outdated Firmware

Operating system bugs—particularly in Android or iOS updates—can mismanage network handoffs. An outdated firmware version may also fail to properly coordinate between Wi-Fi and cellular modules, leading to unexpected disconnections.

“Simultaneous voice and data should be seamless on modern devices, but legacy network dependencies still create real-world hiccups.” — Dr. Lena Park, Wireless Communications Engineer

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Wi-Fi Disconnection During Calls

Follow this structured approach to diagnose and resolve the issue:

1. Check VoLTE Compatibility and Enable It
   Go to your phone’s Settings > Network & Internet (or Mobile Network) > Advanced > VoLTE or “Enhanced Calling.” If available, toggle it on. Restart your phone afterward to ensure the setting takes effect.
2. Verify Carrier Support
   Contact your provider to confirm whether your plan includes VoLTE and if it’s activated. For example, AT&T calls it “HD Voice,” Verizon uses “Advanced Calling,” and T-Mobile refers to it as “VoLTE.” Ask them to verify network settings are correctly configured.
3. Update Your Phone’s Software
   Navigate to Settings > System > Software Update (Android) or Settings > General > Software Update (iOS). Install any pending OS or carrier bundle updates. These often include fixes for network management issues.
4. Reset Network Settings
   If problems persist, reset your network configurations. This clears saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, and APN settings. On iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Reset > Reset Network Settings. On Android: Settings > System > Reset Options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
5. Test with Another Device or SIM
   Insert your SIM into another compatible phone to see if the issue follows the line or stays with the device. This helps isolate whether the problem is hardware-related or tied to your carrier profile.
6. Use Wi-Fi Calling as a Workaround
   If VoLTE isn’t available, enable Wi-Fi Calling. This routes your voice call through your Wi-Fi network instead of the cellular one, eliminating the need for fallback. Found under Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling (iOS) or Network & Internet > Wi-Fi Calling (Android).

Do’s and Don’ts: Managing Connectivity Like a Pro

Action	Recommendation	Reason
Enable Wi-Fi Calling	Do	Allows calls over Wi-Fi, preventing cellular fallback and preserving internet access.
Keep OS Updated	Do	Ensures latest bug fixes and improved network handling.
Ignore VoLTE Settings	Don’t	Leaves you vulnerable to unnecessary disconnections.
Use Third-Party Apps to Force Connections	Don’t	May drain battery or cause instability without solving core issues.
Assume All Phones Behave the Same	Don’t	Different models and chipsets handle dual connectivity differently.

Tip: Always test changes in a consistent environment—e.g., same location, same Wi-Fi network—to accurately assess improvements.

Real-World Example: Solving the Problem for a Remote Worker

Sarah, a freelance graphic designer based in rural Pennsylvania, relied heavily on video conferencing and cloud storage throughout her workday. She began noticing that every time she took a client call on her Samsung Galaxy A21s, her Zoom meeting would drop, and her file sync paused. At first, she blamed her ISP, but after testing multiple routers and rebooting regularly, the issue persisted only during calls.

After researching online, Sarah discovered her phone supported VoLTE—but it wasn’t enabled. She navigated to Settings > SIMs > Advanced > VoLTE Calls and toggled it on. Her carrier, Metro by T-Mobile, confirmed her plan included HD Voice. After restarting her phone, she made a test call while downloading a large asset from Dropbox. The download continued uninterrupted.

For added reliability, she also enabled Wi-Fi Calling as a backup. Now, even in areas with weak cellular signal, her calls route over Wi-Fi without disrupting other tasks. What once felt like a technological flaw turned out to be a simple configuration oversight.

Checklist: Prevent Wi-Fi Dropouts During Calls

• ☐ Confirm your phone supports VoLTE / HD Voice
• ☐ Enable VoLTE in device settings
• ☐ Verify carrier activation of enhanced calling features
• ☐ Update phone firmware and carrier settings
• ☐ Turn on Wi-Fi Calling as a fallback option
• ☐ Reset network settings if inconsistencies continue
• ☐ Test functionality across different networks and scenarios

Frequently Asked Questions

Does enabling Wi-Fi Calling solve the disconnection issue?

Yes, in most cases. Wi-Fi Calling routes your voice call through your internet connection instead of the cellular network, so there’s no need for the phone to switch radios or disable Wi-Fi. This keeps your data connection active during calls. Note: Both your phone and carrier must support Wi-Fi Calling, and you’ll need a stable broadband connection.

Why doesn’t my iPhone lose Wi-Fi during calls, but my Android does?

iPhones generally have tighter integration between hardware and software, and Apple works closely with carriers to optimize calling features. Most iPhones from the 6s onward support simultaneous voice and data over LTE when carrier settings allow. Some Android devices, especially lower-end models, may lack full VoLTE implementation or proper driver support, causing temporary data suspension during calls.

Can a router affect whether Wi-Fi drops during a call?

Not directly. The disconnection originates from the phone’s internal network management, not the router. However, a weak or unstable Wi-Fi signal might compound the issue, making reconnection slower after a call ends. Ensure your router provides strong coverage and consider upgrading to a mesh system if needed.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Connectivity

Wi-Fi disconnections during phone calls are more common than they should be in today’s connected world—but they’re rarely unavoidable. By understanding the interplay between cellular technology, device capabilities, and carrier services, you can take targeted steps to maintain seamless connectivity. Whether it’s enabling VoLTE, switching to Wi-Fi Calling, or simply updating your software, the tools to fix this issue are already in your pocket.

Don’t accept dropped connections as normal. Modern smartphones were built to handle multitasking across networks. With a few minutes of troubleshooting, you can restore smooth performance and stay productive—even when the phone rings.

💬 Have you fixed Wi-Fi disconnections during calls? Share your experience or ask questions in the comments below—your insight could help others stay connected!