Huawei P9 Call Problems & Fixes

Huawei P9 owners have reported several recurring call-related issues, including calls dropping unexpectedly, the other party unable to hear them, and the phone not ringing for incoming calls. These problems are often traced to software glitches, network settings, or hardware faults, and most can be resolved with a few targeted troubleshooting steps before considering a repair.

Background: The Huawei P9 and Its Call Hardware

Released in 2016, the Huawei P9 was a flagship phone known for its dual Leica cameras and metal unibody design. It ran Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) at launch, later upgradable to Android 7.0 (Nougat) and eventually Android 8.0 (Oreo) with EMUI 8.0. The phone supports 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE networks, with dual-SIM variants (EVA-L19, EVA-L29) and single-SIM models (EVA-L09). Call functionality relies on the baseband processor, the cellular radio, the microphone, the earpiece, and the software stack that manages telephony. Because the P9 is now several years old, many issues stem from aging hardware or outdated software rather than design flaws.

Common Call Problems Reported by Users

Owners have reported a range of call issues on forums and support threads. The most frequently mentioned include:

• Calls dropping mid-conversation – often happening at the same location or after a few minutes.
• No sound during calls – the caller cannot hear the other party, or the other party cannot hear them.
• Incoming calls not ringing – the phone stays silent, but the caller hears the ringing tone.
• Call waiting or conference call failures – features not working as expected.
• Echo or static noise – background noise that makes conversations difficult.
• Call log showing missed calls that never appeared – the phone never alerted the user.

These symptoms can have different root causes, so the troubleshooting approach should be systematic.

Software and Settings Fixes to Try First

Before assuming hardware failure, try these software-related steps. They are safe and often resolve the issue.

1. Restart the phone – This clears temporary glitches in the telephony stack. Press and hold the power button, then tap Restart.
2. Check for system updates – Go to Settings > System > Software update. Install any pending updates, as Huawei has released patches that fixed call bugs.
3. Reset network settings – Go to Settings > System > Reset > Reset network settings. This clears Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile network configurations without deleting personal data. You will need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords.
4. Check the SIM card – Power off the phone, remove the SIM tray, and reseat the SIM. Also check for visible damage or dirt on the SIM contacts. If you have another phone, test the SIM there to isolate the problem.
5. Toggle airplane mode – Turn on airplane mode for about 30 seconds, then turn it off. This forces the phone to re-register with the network.
6. Clear the Phone app cache – Go to Settings > Apps > Apps > Phone > Storage and tap Clear cache. Do not clear data unless you are comfortable resetting call logs and settings.
7. Check call forwarding and Do Not Disturb – Ensure call forwarding is not set to an unknown number and that Do Not Disturb is off. Go to Settings > Sound > Do Not Disturb.

If none of these help, the issue may be hardware-related.

Hardware Checks: Microphone, Earpiece, and Antenna

The P9’s microphone and earpiece are common failure points after years of use. Here is how to test them:

• Test the microphone – Open the Voice Recorder app and record a short clip. Play it back. If the audio is muffled or absent, the main microphone may be blocked or damaged. Dust and lint can accumulate in the tiny hole at the bottom of the phone. Use a soft brush or compressed air to clean it gently.
• Test the earpiece – Make a test call to a friend or a free number like your voicemail. If you cannot hear the other party but the speakerphone works, the earpiece speaker may be faulty.
• Check the antenna – The P9 has antenna lines on the metal frame. If the phone has been dropped or bent, the antenna connections may be loose. This can cause dropped calls or poor signal. A repair shop can open the phone and reseat the antenna flex cables.

If the microphone works in recordings but not during calls, the issue might be with the noise-cancelling microphone (used for voice calls) rather than the main one. That secondary mic is located near the top of the phone, and a blocked or damaged one can cause the other party to hear excessive background noise or nothing at all.

Network-Related Causes and Carrier Settings

Sometimes the problem is not the phone but the network. The P9 supports 4G LTE on bands 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 (varies by model). If you are in an area with weak coverage, calls may drop or fail to connect. Try these steps:

• Manually select a network – Go to Settings > Wireless & networks > Mobile network > Network operators and search for networks. Choose your carrier manually. This can help if the phone is switching to a weaker network.
• Change preferred network type – In Mobile network settings, try switching from “4G/3G/2G” to “3G/2G” temporarily. If calls work on 3G, the issue may be with VoLTE (Voice over LTE) on your carrier. Some carriers do not support VoLTE on the P9, and the phone may drop to 3G for calls anyway.
• Update carrier settings – On some models, you can update carrier settings via Settings > System &em; About phone > Status or by inserting the SIM and checking for a prompt. If not, contact your carrier for the correct APN settings.
• Check for network outages – If the problem started recently and affects multiple people in your area, it may be a carrier outage. Check your carrier’s website or social media.

If you have a dual-SIM model, try swapping the SIM to the other slot. Some users have found that one slot has better antenna performance than the other.

When to Consider a Factory Reset or Repair

If you have tried all software and network fixes and the problem persists, a factory reset may help if a software corruption is the cause. Before doing this, back up your data, because a reset erases everything. Go to Settings > System &em; Reset > Factory data reset. After the reset, set up the phone as new (do not restore from a backup initially) and test a call.

If the problem remains after a factory reset, it is almost certainly hardware. Common repairs for the P9 include:

• Replacing the microphone module – If the mic is dead or muffled.
• Replacing the earpiece speaker – If you cannot hear the caller.
• Replacing the antenna flex cable – If calls drop or signal is weak.
• Replacing the charging port / main board – In severe cases, the main board may have a fault affecting the baseband. This is often not cost-effective on an older phone.

Get a quote from a reputable repair shop before proceeding. Weigh the cost against the phone’s current value; a main board replacement often costs more than a used P9.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Huawei P9 drop calls after a few minutes?

Dropped calls after a few minutes often indicate a weak or unstable signal, or a faulty antenna. Try the network selection and preferred network type steps above. If the problem only happens in certain locations, it is likely network coverage. If it happens everywhere, the antenna or baseband may be failing.

Can a software update fix call problems on the P9?

Yes, in some cases. Huawei released updates that addressed specific call bugs, such as issues with VoLTE and call waiting. Check for updates in Settings > System > Software update. If you are already on the latest version, a factory reset can also resolve software glitches.

Why can the other person hear me but I cannot hear them?

This usually points to the earpiece speaker being faulty or blocked. Test with speakerphone – if you can hear through the loudspeaker, the earpiece is likely broken. Clean the earpiece grille gently with a dry toothbrush. If that doesn’t help, the speaker needs replacement.

Why does my P9 not ring for incoming calls?

This can be caused by Do Not Disturb mode, call forwarding, or a notification setting. Check Settings > Sound > Do Not Disturb and ensure it is off. Also check if the phone is in Silent or Vibrate mode. If the issue persists, try resetting network settings, as a misconfigured call forwarding setting can send calls to voicemail without ringing.

Is it worth repairing a Huawei P9 for call issues?

It depends on the repair cost and the phone’s condition. A simple microphone or earpiece replacement can be cheap and worth it if the phone is otherwise in good shape. A main board replacement is usually not worth it because the phone is old and the cost may exceed its value. Get a quote and compare with the price of a used replacement phone.

Does the P9 support VoLTE, and could that cause call problems?

The P9 does support VoLTE on some carrier networks, but not all carriers allow it on this device. If VoLTE is enabled but not supported by your carrier, calls may fail or drop. You can disable VoLTE in Settings > Wireless & networks > Mobile network > VoLTE (if the option exists). If you don’t see the option, your carrier may not support it, and the phone should automatically fall back to 3G for calls.

Related

• Signal Desktop Encrypted Messaging: 12 Tips
• Bash wait Command: How It Works & When to Use It
• Create Stand Out Tech Resume