Huawei Mate 9 Call Problems: Fixes & Causes

The Huawei Mate 9 can experience call problems such as no sound, dropped calls, or the other party not hearing you, often caused by software glitches, network settings, or hardware damage. This article explains the most common call issues, their likely causes, and step-by-step fixes you can try before seeking professional repair.

Background: The Mate 9’s Calling Hardware and Software

Released in late 2016, the Huawei Mate 9 runs on the Kirin 960 chipset and originally shipped with Android 7.0 (EMUI 5.0). It supports 4G LTE, VoLTE (Voice over LTE), and Wi-Fi calling on many carriers. The phone has a single nano-SIM slot (or dual-SIM in some models) and uses a standard earpiece speaker, a microphone at the bottom, and a noise-cancelling mic near the top. Software updates over the years have brought EMUI 8.0 and Android 8.0, but some users report that call issues appear after updates or when network settings get corrupted.

Common Call Problems and What They Mean

Call problems on the Mate 9 generally fall into a few categories. Knowing which one you have helps narrow down the fix:

• No sound from earpiece – You can dial, but hear nothing; the other party can hear you.
• Other party can’t hear you – Your microphone is not picking up your voice.
• Dropped calls – Calls end unexpectedly after a few seconds or minutes.
• Echo or static – You hear your own voice or crackling noises.
• Call fails to connect – The dialer shows an error or the call never rings.
• VoLTE or Wi-Fi calling not working – The phone falls back to 2G/3G, causing poor audio or failed calls.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before diving into more complex steps, try these simple solutions. They resolve many call issues without any technical knowledge.

1. Restart the phone – Press and hold the power button, then tap Restart. This clears temporary glitches.
2. Check the volume – During a call, press the volume up button to ensure the earpiece volume isn’t at zero.
3. Remove any case or screen protector – Sometimes they block the microphone or earpiece openings.
4. Clean the earpiece and microphone – Use a soft, dry brush to gently remove dust from the small holes at the top and bottom of the phone.
5. Toggle Airplane mode – Turn it on for 10 seconds, then off, to re-register the phone to the network.

Software Settings That Affect Calls

If the quick fixes don’t work, check these settings. They are common culprits for call problems on the Mate 9.

• VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling – Go to Settings > Wireless & networks > Mobile network and ensure VoLTE is enabled. If you have Wi-Fi calling available, try turning it on or off to see which works better.
• Call forwarding – If calls are being forwarded unexpectedly, check Phone app > Settings > Call forwarding and disable any active forwarding.
• Do Not Disturb – This mode can mute calls. Check Settings > Do Not Disturb and make sure it’s off or set to allow calls.
• Network mode – In Mobile network, set the preferred network type to 4G/3G/2G auto. Sometimes the phone gets stuck on a poor band.

Network and SIM-Related Causes

Sometimes the problem isn’t the phone but the SIM card or carrier network. Here’s what to check:

• SIM card seating – Power off the phone, remove the SIM tray, and reinsert the SIM card firmly.
• SIM card damage – Look for scratches or chips. If damaged, request a replacement from your carrier.
• Carrier outages – Check if your carrier has known outages in your area. You can often see this on their website or social media.
• APN settings – Incorrect Access Point Names can affect data, but sometimes also voice. Compare your APN settings with your carrier’s recommended ones.
• Roaming – If you’re traveling, ensure data roaming is enabled if you expect to use calls abroad.

Advanced Troubleshooting: Cache and Reset

If the above steps don’t help, you can try clearing the phone app’s cache or performing a factory reset. These steps erase data, so back up first.

1. Clear the Phone app cache – Go to Settings > Apps > Phone, tap Storage, then Clear Cache. This does not delete contacts or call logs.
2. Reset network settings – Go to Settings > System > Reset > Reset network settings. This clears Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile data settings but not your personal files.
3. Factory reset – If all else fails, back up your data and go to Settings > System > Reset > Factory data reset. This restores the phone to its original state and often fixes persistent software issues.

Hardware Issues and When to Seek Repair

If software troubleshooting doesn’t solve the problem, the issue may be hardware. Common hardware failures include a damaged earpiece speaker, a faulty microphone, or a loose ribbon cable inside the phone. These can happen after a drop or water exposure. If you suspect hardware damage, contact Huawei support or a certified repair center. Do not attempt to open the phone yourself unless you have experience, as it can void any warranty and cause further damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Mate 9 have no sound during calls but everything else works?

This usually points to the earpiece speaker. First, check the volume and clean the earpiece grille. If that doesn’t work, try using speakerphone – if sound comes from the bottom speaker, the earpiece may be faulty. A software reset might help, but if not, it’s likely a hardware issue.

How do I enable VoLTE on my Huawei Mate 9?

Go to Settings > Wireless & networks > Mobile network and toggle on VoLTE. If the option is grayed out, your carrier may not support VoLTE on this device, or your SIM may not be provisioned for it. Contact your carrier to verify.

Why do calls drop after a few seconds on my Mate 9?

Dropped calls can be caused by network coverage, SIM card issues, or a software bug. Try resetting network settings, reinserting the SIM, and checking for carrier outages. If the problem persists, test the SIM in another phone to rule out network issues.

Can a factory reset fix call problems on the Mate 9?

Yes, a factory reset can fix call problems that stem from software corruption or conflicting settings. However, it erases all data, so back up your contacts, photos, and other files before proceeding. If the problem is hardware, a reset won’t help.

Why does the other person hear an echo during calls?

Echo is often caused by the network or the other person’s phone, not yours. Ask them to lower their volume. On your side, ensure the noise-cancelling microphone (the small hole near the top) isn’t blocked by a case or finger.

Is the Mate 9 still supported for software updates?

Huawei has stopped providing major Android updates for the Mate 9, but security patches may still be released sporadically. Since the phone is several years old, some newer network features may not work optimally, but basic calling should still function.

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